Indian Motorcycle will host its second Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis starting July 30.
The nine-day charity ride will take 20 wounded and amputee veterans on a 1,776 mile "motorcycle therapy ride" aboard Indian Motorcycles or attached side cars from Los Angeles to Sturgis, S.D.
The group, which will be joined by dozens of other supporters along the route, will arrive in South Dakota just in time for the massive annual motorcycle-rally that runs in Sturgis from Aug. 8- 14.
The ride, hosted by Indian Motorcycles' parent firm Polaris Industries, was conceived by veteran Army Paratrooper David Frey when he rode alone to Sturgis in 2014.
Frey wanted to find a way to help Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who were struggling to adjust to civilian life after tramatic war experiences and injuries. The Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis was born.
The idea was to use motorcycles to create a therapeutic "adventure of a lifetime" for wounded veterans, Frey said.
Beginning July 30, this year's group will leave Los Angeles and travel through various towns and cities, including Las Vegas, Moab, Denver, Hot Springs and The Black Hills.
Once in Sturgis, the veterans will take part in the Sturgis Rally, where Polaris and its Indian and Victory motorcycles and dozens of other motorcycle manufacturers will have displays, exhibits and events.
