Annual Cycling Challenge Returns to Arlington, VA This Spring
Arlington, Virginia, April 23, 2022–America’s most inspiring and inclusive cycling challenge, Face of America, returns to Arlington, Virginia this April. The adaptive cycling challenge begins in Crystal City, and concludes in the historic Civil War community of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Adaptive and able-bodied athletes from across North America and the globe arrive this week for Face of America’s April 22-24 ride.
As a result of COVID-19, World T.E.A.M. successfully adapted their 2020 in-person ride to a virtual event, keeping the spirit of FOA alive. With surges of COVID spiking across the country, the spring 2021 ride was postponed to October 8-10 of that year. In just six months, Face of America triumphantly returns this weekend to Arlington on April 22-24, marking the first time in two years that riders will cycle from Arlington to Gettysburg in the spring.
Presented by American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc., the 106-mile ride depends on the adaptive and able-bodied athletes working together to successfully complete the journey. Held annually since 2006, the non-competitive program honors America’s adaptive military veterans and their exceptional sacrifices and dedication. AP CEO Lon T. Dolber says, “We’re extremely excited to be back as presenting partner for one of America’s premier, inclusive cycling programs, where we will see pre-COVID numbers of new and returning riders pulling together to empower people to achieve something they never dreamed possible. The athletes and volunteers come away with a truly memorable, life-changing experience. Team American Portfolios looks forward to getting out on the route to celebrate, honor and ride with our military veterans and first responders who have given so much in their service.”
“We are excited to welcome back American Portfolios as our Presenting Sponsor for the 2022 Face of America cycling challenge to Gettysburg. We are so grateful for our relationship with AP and their entire team,” says World T.E.A.M. President and CEO Jon Brideau. Brideau is thrilled to be returning to Arlington for Face of America alongside their partnering sponsor American Portfolios. “We have so much gratitude to our partners, participants, and donors for supporting this amazing program twice in six months. We are only able to turn this around so quickly due to our dedicated volunteer staff and sponsors. Our athletes are traveling from different parts of the world and across the United States to honor and engage with our military heroes. No other cycling event epitomizes an inclusive community quite like Face of America. We are proud to continue one of the largest inclusive military cycling events in the country.”
Nearly 350 athletes are expected to arrive in Gettysburg shortly after noon on Friday, April 22. Over 50 of these athletes are adaptive military veterans who live with paralysis, loss of limb, blindness, Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injuries and other injuries and conditions. One of the largest non-competitive inclusive cycling programs in the country, Face of America is unique in that all athletes pedal alongside each other on road bicycles, three-wheel recumbent bicycles and hand cycles.
Along the route, many local communities turn out to support the riders, showing appreciation to the participating adaptive veterans. Athletes will complete Saturday’s ride at a special celebration hosted at the Frederick Fairgrounds. Upon arrival, participants can enjoy a meal from a local food truck, beverages and entertainment. Early in the afternoon on Sunday, participating athletes will complete their journey from Arlington at the historic Brown’s Ranch within the Gettysburg National Military Park.
World T.E.A.M.’s Face of America is annually supported through generous sponsorship and partnerships. Presented by American Portfolios, additional partners include Capital One, Booz Allen Hamilton, Dell EMC, ForeScout, Navy Federal Credit Union, Penske Truck Rental, Salesforce, LeMond Bicycles, and Mt. Airy Bicycle Company.
About American Portfolios
Headquartered in Holbrook, New York, American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (APFS) is a full-service, independent broker/dealer and member firm of FINRA and SIPC, offering a complete range of financial services, including personal financial and retirement planning, securities trading, mutual funds, access to investment research, long-term care planning, insurance products and tax-free investing. Fee-based asset management is offered through its sister subsidiary, American Portfolios Advisors, Inc., (APA), an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Both entities, along with technology entity American Portfolios Advisory Solutions, LLC, collectively reside under the legal entity American Portfolios Holdings, Inc. (APH). Full-service securities brokerage is available through a clearing firm relationship with Pershing, LLC, a BNY Mellon firm, the securities of which are held on a fully disclosed basis. The company supports independent investment professionals—inclusive of registered assistants and non-registered associates—throughout the nation.
American Portfolios has numerous recognitions by a number of industry publications and organizations. Such acknowledgment includes: multiple Broker-Dealer of the Year* (Division III) wins by Investment Advisor magazine; multiple ThinkAdvisor LUMINARIES awards; multiple finalist and award wins by WealthManagement.com Industry Award in multiple categories**; Corporate Citizen of the Year by Long Island Business News; multiple top placements as one of the Best Companies to Work for in the state of New York by the New York State Society for Human Resources Management (NYS-SHRM) and the Best Companies Group (BCG); and one of the Top Long Island Workplaces.
* Based on a poll of registered representatives conducted by Investment Advisor magazine. Broker/dealers rated highest by their representatives are awarded “Broker/Dealer (B/D) of the Year.”
** Wealthmanagement.com Industry Award finalists are selected by a panel of independent judges made up of subject matter experts in the industry. Award is based on support provided to AP’s affiliated people and does not reflect public customers nor their account performance.
About World T.E.A.M.
World T.E.A.M. brings adaptive and able-bodied athletes together by empowering, enabling and engaging individuals through inclusive athletic programs. For more than a quarter century, our organization has used athletics to challenge men, women and children with disabilities to accomplish goals they never thought possible. In all our programs – whether mountain climbing, biking, white water rafting or many other sports – we include both adaptive and able-bodied participants.
Alex Nadler
Communications and Marketing Manager
World T.E.A.M. Sports
alexnadler@worldteamsports.org
Changing Lives through Sports
www.WorldTEAMSports.org