The Ride 2 Stop Suicide
By: Eric Thomas Webb
Tags: Veterans, September 11, Suicide Prevention, Cycling, Military

The Ride 2 Stop Suicide

ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2021, Aaron Hunnel will pedal 3,100 miles across the country to honor those military veterans we’ve lost to suicide. The ride aims to align military veteran organizations, communities, friends, and families to work together to solve the problem of veteran suicide — and get bikes in the hands of veterans.

“We want to get more veterans involved in this physical journey so they can experience the benefits themselves. Access and knowledge are two of the greatest barriers that exist when it comes to getting involved in an endurance sport. We’re setting out to remove those barriers — one bike and one veteran at a time.”

Aaron Hunnel, US Army

A military veteran and active duty service member with almost 17 years of service, Hunnel got into endurance racing ten years ago when he ran a marathon while stationed in Iraq. To his surprise, the experience was life-changing.

“There were times when I felt like quitting. I felt like giving up. I felt like I was going to die. And I gave myself two options. Either quit. Or keep moving forward — no matter how fast or slow. That became the mantra for my life. Just find a way to keep moving forward.”

Hunnel says one of the things the Ride 2 Stop Suicide aims to do is bring light to the veteran community and let veterans know that they’re not alone, and that there are many ways to reestablish a sense of purpose and connection to life.

“It’s connections and relationships that act as a buffer to improve our mental health and keep our thoughts on positive things. Connections and relationships make life meaningful.”

Hunnel believes endurance racing is worth so much more than the feeling you get when you cross the finish line. The preparation leading up to the race challenges and strengthens you mentally and physically, and he’s seen how the experiences — in yourself and with others — carry over into other aspects of your life.

Hunnel’s experience during a race in 2014 serves as an example and a reminder of the impact an endurance sport can have — not just on the body, but on the heart, mind and spirit.

My friend Adam and I pushed and pulled our friend Katie through the Ironman Wisconsin. Two hundred meters from the finish, a volunteer saw we were going to help Katie try to walk to the finish line. “I don’t know if you should do this,” he said. “You guys are exhausted.” Katie looked up and said, “It’s okay. I’m going to do this with my willpower.”

We picked Katie up, and together we trudged the last two hundred meters — arm in arm. Nine minutes later, people had gone from cheering to crying. As we put Katie back in her wheelchair on the other side of the finish line, she smiled. “That’s the farthest I’ve ever walked in my life.”

Through endurance sport, Hunnel learned that he had been limiting his potential, often getting in his own way. Through the teamwork involved in elite racing, he experienced the kind of connection he had previously only felt while in the military.

“When you put that uniform on, you get a sense of purpose. And when you put that uniform on with other people, you feel a sense of connection. You’re part of a team. When you leave military service or come back from a deployment, those two things can vanish. That can be tough on people.”

Hunnel believes cycling is one way to combat depression, anxiety, and even PTSD. Physical activity is one of the most powerful interventions for someone who’s struggling with their life, health, or wellness. And for Hunnel, cycling represents not only the proven mood boost that exercise can provide but also a powerful metaphor for mental health.

“For the bike to move forward, you have to pedal it. It doesn’t move forward unless you input energy by pedaling. And that’s a lot like life. If I don’t put the energy or effort into my life, I’m probably not going to move in the direction I want. The second part of that is that a bike only goes in the direction that you steer it. That’s also true in life. You have to grab the handlebars and steer it in the direction you want it to go.”

Hunnel stresses that the Ride 2 Stop Suicide isn’t just about raising awareness, and it’s not about cycling from coast to coast. It’s about moving people forward and improving their mental health with purpose through connection. He believes that bikes, along with communities, are valuable tools to improve our mental health.

“I want veterans to get these bikes and feel like they’ve gained a valuable tool for life. Together as part of a team, you gain energy, purpose and hope. These are transferable skills that can carry over into other areas of life. It can impact your work and your relationships. It can increase your desire to help in your community. The benefits are endless.”

The grueling, 22-day ride begins in Oceanside, CA, and ends in Annapolis, MD. Hunnel will cross hot and elevated terrain and likely encounter challenges along the way. But for Hunnel, embracing the struggle is what makes life meaningful.