Iraq veteran's 4,300 mile ride to save lives

Colorado native in the midst of national bike ride for veteran suicide
Summit Daily News
Joe Moylan
June 14, 2013

In 2003, Pierce resident Matthew Jarrett got the idea to take a cross-country tour of the United States on a bicycle.

It was admittedly an odd time and place to conjure such a demanding undertaking.

Jarrett, 30, does not come from a hard-core biking background. He also was a world away when first struck by the idea, serving with the U.S. Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Ten years later life circumstances provided Jarrett the opportunity to jump onto the saddle, and on April 19 the military veteran set out from Yorktown, Va., en route to Astoria, Ore., a 4,300-mile journey he allotted 100-120 days to complete.

“It’s kind of been a long time coming because I first thought about this 10 years ago,” Jarrett said. “I wasn’t waiting for the right time or moment, I just decided last year it was time to ride.”

Although Jarrett was attracted to the challenge a two-wheel, cross-country ride would present, being a veteran he wanted to attach a purpose to his quest.

Calling his journey the Transamerica Ride for Life, Jarrett is riding to raise awareness for veteran suicide, a largely unknown issue among non-military citizens, but a significant problem nonetheless.
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