Brits stop in Delphos on crosscountry trek

Published:  Thursday, June 11, 2009 (9 months, 1 week ago)
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Cyclists Warrant Officer Nick Styles, left, and Sergeant Jason Lewis, MBE, center, along with their crew stopped in Delphos Friday on their way to New York City.Staff reports

DELPHOS — With endorsements from Princes William and Harry of Great Britain, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and soccer sensation David Beckam, two cyclists from the Royal Air Force recently passed through Delphos while cycling from California to New York City.
The duo of Warrant Officer Nick Styles and Sgt. Jason Lewis are biking the 3,181-mile trek to raise awareness and funds for Help For Heroes, which conducts various troop support efforts from hospital donations to rehabilitation and more for wounded soldiers.
Band of Brothers Bike Ride 2009 is the result of one of the two cyclists being removed from current combat operations due to injury.
Lewis was serving in Afghanistan until he was evacuated due to a combat injury. He was prohibited from returning, so he found another way to contribute.
“After my injury, I can no longer contribute on the battlefield but that’s not good enough for me. I still want to do my bit, so I’ve turned my energies to supporting those who can. This charity cycle is my way of supporting the lads and raising much needed cash for Help for Heroes,” he said.
Lewis discussed his idea with Styles, an Air Force cook who had completed a ride spanning Great Britain known as Land’s End to John O’Groats (LE-JOG). Lewis had initially thought of biking Historic Route 66 but decided that wasn’t far enough. So he decided to cross the pond for a coast-to-coast and this challenge sparked Styles’ interest.
“I wanted to get involved in this event to raise money to help rehabilitate our troops injured in combat across the world. I am both confident and determined and have a good feeling about the journey,” he said.
The pair began researching the American landscape and decided to start at Santa Monica Pier and conclude at Ground Zero. However, one of them had never tackled such a large endeavor.
“I didn’t want it to be easy. I wanted to attempt something out of the ordinary that will not be completed without a great deal of effort and commitment,” Lewis said.
They began to raise funds with media attention throughout the United Kingdom and connected with a physiotherapist who trained the British rowing and bobsled teams, as well as participants in the London Marathon.
They turned their efforts to training for the ride but Styles was deployed to the Falkland Islands for four months, not a place with a lot of open space for bicycling. He remained undeterred, riding a stationary bike, swimming and working out in the gym.
Upon his return to Scotland, he combined with Lewis to ride 140 miles per day on average for their 100 miles per day for 36 days in the States.
The pair are just one of several Brits to raise funds for the charity through its various ventures, including its Jump for Heroes skydiving event and the North Pole Marathon.