Interested in Joining our 2014 Ride? Here's How!

With initial preliminary planning for the 2014 Sea to Shining Sea ride only just beginning, it is not too early for prospective participating riders, staff members and sponsors to begin their planning, too.

World T.E.A.M. Sports, the national non-profit organization that creates and manages the bi-annual cross-country ride, recommends that military veterans with disabilities who have an interest in the two month ride begin by participating in other organization events. These events include the annual Face of America ride from Washington to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania each April, the annual Adventure TEAM Challenge in western Colorado, and the Soldiers to the Summit series of outdoor events.

Andrew Jansen, Hunter Pinnell and John Malkin ride in the Sea to Shining Sea. Photograph by Parker Feierbach.Of these, the Face of America ride is the closest in nature to the Sea to Shining Sea ride, in that it brings together military veterans with disabilities with able-bodied veterans, active military and citizen riders for an enjoyable, two-day 110-mile ride. The Adventure TEAM Challenge is a multi-stage, multi-team event in the desert of western Colorado near the Utah border. The Challenge includes mountain biking, river rafting, rock climbing and other challenges in a competitive team environment. The Soldiers to the Summit series with disabled veterans has included two events to date - an October 2010 mountaineering expedition to Nepal, and a February 2012 winter sports weekend at Snowbird Resort in Utah. More events in this series are in the planning stages.

By participating in a World T.E.A.M. Sports event, the potential Sea to Shining Sea candidate has an opportunity to meet staff from the organization, and become involved in the growing WTS community. Announcements as to searches for athletes for events are posted to the World T.E.A.M. Sports websites, and also by direct communication to past event participants.

Individuals interested in participating as non-staff team members should understand that the Sea to Shining Sea positions are unpaid internships, usually for college-age students who are interested in careers in sports and sports management. The positions include a monthly stipend, as well as food, lodging and transportation during the event. The best way to apply for these positions is to watch the World T.E.A.M. Sports websites for periodic announcements and active calls for applications.

World T.E.A.M. Sports is interested in talking to potential Sea to Shining Sea 2014 sponsors. Through our events, media and programming, millions of Americans across the country are touched by World T.E.A.M. Sports at a variety of events. Support for our organization, our events and our participants can be financial or by in-kind donations. Details of sponsorship opportunities and our annual budget are available upon request.

Sponsor benefits include, but are not limited to, participation spots and logo recognition on all event signage, vehicles, clothing and communications. All scheduled events accept sponsorship support. For a complete sponsorship packet, please contact World T.E.A.M. Sports by telephone, by mail or by email.

The team rides through Kansas. Photograph by Parker Feierbach.