Veterans, first responders find relief in annual ride down California coast

More than 50 wounded veterans and first responders pedaled down the California coast as Project Hero's California Challenge ended in Port Hueneme on Friday afternoon.

Veterans throughout the United States, Europe and Canada gathered for a non-competitive, 400-mile bike ride organized annually by Project Hero. The San Diego nonprofit holds bike challenges across the country meant to provide therapy for wounded veterans and first responders with brain trauma, PTSD and other injuries.

"I spiraled after I came back," said Mike Escoboso, an Army veteran from Texas. "What I noticed when I got back was that there's not enough transition programs to help veterans."

The event started Oct. 14 in Santa Cruz and finished up its last leg at the Holiday Inn in Port Hueneme Friday with a planned bike ride around the city on Saturday. Joining the ride this year were 10 European cyclists and four from Canada, showing the organization's growing reach and appeal.

"Therapy works," said Byron Prestridge, a longtime volunteer and ride leader for the California Challenge. Project Hero helps thousands of veterans and first responders with alternative exercised-based therapy and has donated thousands of bicycles.

Ernesto Centeno Araujo is a breaking news reporter. He can be reached at ecentenoaraujo@vcstar.com .

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Veterans, first responders find relief in annual ride down California coast