After an epic ten-days of riding through Arizona with Bike Tours for the Wounded (BT4TW), I’ve experienced firsthand how motorcycles can help heal invisible wounds. As a Harley Davidson carried me and my pillion rider Chelley – a retired/disabled RAF medic injured in Afghanistan- across landscapes ranging from desert heat to mountain snow, I witnessed the transformative power of the open road.
BT4TW has taken over 700 wounded service personnel on tours since 2012, offering veterans a chance to experience America from the back of a motorcycle. Our group included remarkable individuals like John Jones, a Falklands veteran and double amputee who hadn’t ridden in 50 years, and several female veterans whose service often goes unrecognised.
From the engineering marvel of Hoover Dam to the spiritual vastness of the Grand Canyon, from ice-covered mornings in Williams to scorching afternoons in Kingman, we faced every challenge as a team. The American Legion Posts welcomed us at every stop, demonstrating that the “special relationship” between our countries exists not in political offices but in the hearts of veterans.
The weather threw everything at us – hail, snow, freezing rain, and desert heat. Yet even when navigating 212 switchbacks on the Devil’s Highway or dodging ice patches at dawn, our pillions remained resolute. Their front-line determination shone through every challenge.
This journey wasn’t just about the riding – it was about healing, camaraderie, and the understanding that comes from shared experiences. As we raised glasses in Tombstone and sang in Springerville, I witnessed veterans finding new purpose and connection through the simple act of sharing the road.
BT4TW reminds us that sometimes the best therapy comes on two wheels, with the wind in your face and brothers and sisters in arms by your side.
[Special thanks to the support crew, local law enforcement, Legion Posts, and especially my navigator Chelley for making this journey possible.]If you would like to donate, please follow the link:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/bt4tw-supporting-lifechanging-journeys-for-british-veterans
