What is Project Echelon?
We educate, equip, and empower veterans and their families through physical activity and self discovery.
The Veteran Community
Veteran Feature Story
by: Mark Helfinstine
I joined the US Navy back in February of 2007 as a Master-at-Arms (Navy equivalent to Military Police/Security Forces). My first tour was guarding nuclear weapons at Kings Bay Naval Base in SE Georgia as part of the Marine Corps Security Forces. That was the absolute hardest time of my life. We were undermanned so badly that at one point I was standing post in front of a bay door for 18 hours straight. We didn't have enough personnel to rotate for head calls or chow breaks. There was no sitting at that post either.
That sort of thing happened frequently and the stress that came from being placed in situations like that over and over again began to take its toll. It started to manifest physically and at one point I ended up in the ER with a stress-induced reaction. My second tour was to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where I worked as base police. A reduction in force had begun in the Navy and my specialty was one of those most at risk. Submitting my request to reenlist each month for six months, only to get denied each time, ultimately left me with only 5 months to figure out what I was going to do outside of the military. At the final denial I began to develop headaches. They were so severe that I ended up in the ER for treatment, again. I was out. I was no longer in the military that I wanted so much to be a part of.
Since then I have reinvented myself. I tried to get into law enforcement but that wasn't best for my family or for myself. I switched careers to IT and began working as a contractor on military bases. I craved that sense of community and being a part of "the mission" but I never quite found that satisfaction from the outside looking in. I became very stressed, once again, at my job and developed headaches again. Went back to the ER. I had a hearing issue shortly after that and the docs didn't know what was wrong. Had an MRI and several exams but no change.
My wife had noticed my interest in the cyclists always riding on base and pushed me to start riding, at the very least for my health and sanity. I got a cheap Schwinn road bike from the MCX and started riding. I rode through headaches, inclement weather, and even when I didn't want to. My headaches began to go away and my hearing issue resolved itself. I upgraded the bike to a proper machine and started to get serious. I did a 100K ride with the local club that fall and it was amazing. I was hooked.
I was on my own for a couple of years, as far as cycling is concerned. I didn't have direction or structure, I was riding simply for enjoyment and my health. This past summer of 2021 the USA Cycling Amateur Pro Crit Championship took place about an hour from my house. My wife, Jess, saw the excitement in my eyes and said that I could do that too. She told me to look into it and to start pursuing racing. There was one guy from Project Echelon in that race that I recall. I looked up the team on Instagram and commented on a recent photo. I got a response that pointed me to the projectechelon.org website and it's been an amazing journey from there. Not only do I have structure from training developed by my coach (National Time Trial Champ Zach Gregg) but I also count him and the rest of the team, my friends.
These are professional athletes at the highest level, and I can email, text and call them. That alone is incredible! But Project Echelon is so much more than that. The community of veterans, young and old and from all branches, are all united by a common interest in cycling and fitness in general. Project Echelon also seeks to bring awareness to the tragedy of veteran suicide and is a great resource towards the prevention of it as well. That's the mission. I am so thankful to have found Project Echelon and all the wonderful folks who are a part of the team and community. I have been missing that for almost 10 years and now I've got it back. I get to wear team kit when I ride and that's my new uniform. I needed a mission again, and I'm jumping into this one with both feet.
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Dave Freeman: Why this and why now? My journey to the Ultra-Running World
“Sometimes you just do things!”
― Scott Jurek, Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness
In April of 2021, I made the decision to run the first triathlon of my life at the age of 55. As Scott so aptly says above, it just seemed to make sense at the time. Despite not being a distance runner, not swimming in 30 years, and being generally out of shape. I was already a member of the Project Echelon community but was totally focused on bike training and used my stipend money to purchase bike kits and cold weather gear to keep riding as the weather changed. This new venture was totally out of my comfort zone and that is sometimes the point. I started running on April 6, 2021 and made it a grand total of 3 minutes and 47 seconds before walking. Whew! “This may be a very poor idea” was my thought at the time. However, I kept at it following a plan designed by our own Zach Gregg and also began to eat healthier. It all started to pay off as I finally saw my weight drop and my high blood pressure disappeared. My stipend went to purchase new running shoes to replace the pair I was wearing from my local Goodwill store.
Somewhere along this path, I found that I enjoyed running to my great surprise. One important point to note is that I was a long jumper, pole vaulter and high jumper in high school. Largely because I only had to run 120 feet at a time. I despised running anything longer than 50 meters. As my training continued, I started to feel as though I was capable of running greater distances than I had ever considered. The triathlon went well with a 2nd place in my age group despite a very poor swim leg and a mediocre run. That was last August and I have continued to improve my running form and ability. Somewhere along the way, I decided to run the Burning River Endurance 50 mile trail run to be held on July 30th, 2022, and shifted my training to meet that goal. Zach Gregg was once again beneficial, using the Training Peaks platform to begin preparing for the big day.
Around the same time, I started to consider doing a 9/11 run and using it as a fundraiser for veterans and first responder support groups. I found that an ultra-runner that I admired had run ¼ mile for each of the 343 fallen FDNY firefighters and I made the decision to attempt to replicate this run in 2022. The total run will be 85.75 miles around my local high school track and funds will be raised for Project Echelon and a local group, Healing Our Warriors, which supports those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Injury. At this time, I am working with Eric Hill to develop a training plan and nutrition program to fuel the huge number of miles required to prepare for my efforts. I have every intention of meeting my goals and am focusing on mental health (meditation/studies) as well as my physical health to stay strong. My wife, Dawn, a Project Echelon veteran, deserves a lot of credit for her support of my “shenanigans.” Wish me a strong mind and healthy body!
Andrew Tavlarides: The Ride Home
"The Ride Home is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds and increasing public awareness to help address issues that affect the lives of United States military veterans. The Ride Home sponsors nationwide bicycle rides and races to procure sponsorships. Our rides raise money for various veterans’ services organizations that put forth effort towards critical veteran support services like housing, medical care, mental health services, food procurement and individual expenses.
The Ride Home was founded by Andrew Tavlarides, a proud service member of the United States Army for over 15 years. Andrew, an avid bike rider, has participated in many rides to raise money for causes ranging from breast cancer to homelessness. After seeing the leaps and bounds of support for these rides by communities all over the country, Andrew decided to launch his own mission to, instead, raise money and provide support to America's bravest."
From Andrew:
"Good morning Project Echelon,
The Ride Home was a spontaneous idea that crossed my mind one morning while watching The Golden Girls. I was frustrated due to a lack of promotion within the Military, and I decided to do something that was bigger than me or the Military. I wanted to address the issue of homelessness with Military Veterans. They are often pushed away or treated as outcasts. I try to do my best and assist them whenever possible but I am only one man, and can only do so much.
Upon delivery of a new road cycling bike, Project Echelon showed a response and I replied with gratitude. After doing some research on Project Echelon, I knew that I had to reach out and ask for assistance in my 2300 mile endeavor. Auburn Washington to Dallas Texas is an incredibly long distance, and any assistance will be greatly appreciated. Eric Hill and Josh Boguslofski have been absolutely incredible, and have already offered assistance through equipment and the possibility of riders for a portion of this journey.
I will take great pride in having Project Echelon as a sponsor as I would like to display their name on my riding kit with pride."
Kyle Dow - Representing Project Echelon Off-Road
"I have been working with Project Echelon as a veteran athlete for a few years now. I began as a relatively new road cyclist with about a year of riding under my belt after being a lifelong runner. With the coaching of Zach Gregg and the support of the local team riders, I have been able to progress quickly. At this point, I am racing as a Category 1 mountain biker for local and national races including a national podium.
With a shift in focus this year back to my endurance roots, stage races, and gravel, I have made some changes to my training. I have increased my focus on quality rest days to promote recovery, targeted workouts, and adjusting workout schedule to best facilitate adaptations for marathon mountain bike stage race fitness. Additionally, I’ve included cross country skiing into my base training to keep things fresh and give me a break from the trainer on some snowy Colorado days."
Project Echelon is always looking to connect with new veterans, as well as veteran friends and family. Contact us on social media or through our website at www.projectechelon.org.
Project Echelon Team Camp
Photo credit: SnowyMountain Photography, Kai Caddy
In mid-March, Project Echelon came from all corners of the country to Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Team Camp is always one of the most memorable times of the year, and for so many reasons. Friends reconnecting after a long winter away, huge rides in the Appalachian Mountains, meeting sponsors, team bonding, and tons of great food.
In addition to training, Project Echelon worked with a number of talented individuals and organizations to create amazing content - arguably the best we have ever seen in North American cycling. One of those opportunities was an appearance on the "Putting the Pieces Back Together" radio show that Project Echelon did with their veteran non-profit partners at Purple Heart Homes.
Project Echelon will also be collaborating with Purple Heart Homes this fall to host the Take That Hill event which was held both virtually and in-person in 2021. You can learn more at their website below.
You can find the entire episode also on Spotify.
Criterium Nation - a popular podcast and blog in the cycling space - also joined Project Echelon for a few days in North Carolina, documenting a few days of training in a "Day in the Life" style blog. You can read the full story on Criterium Nation's website in the 3-part series.
The content keeps on coming thanks to a new docuseries called "The Leadout." The new series has been championed by a journalistic reporter who was able to join Project Echelon during their week-long training camp, developing content for their new show. "The Leadout" will be 4-5 episodes, and feature Project Echelon and their team camp, as well as several more pieces created throughout the year. You can watch the series as it is released on YouTube using the link below.
Having been in the works for many years, the Project Echelon Fundo finally made its debut in March 2022, marking the first time that Project Echelon racing team was able to get their veteran community, supporters, and team all together in one place - and for a bike ride, of course!
There was so much gratitude being shared, it was humbling to be a part of. We even had parents of veterans attend to thank us for our work, with one father sharing that "he viewed Project Echelon as a part of his family. It is the reason his son is still alive today."
On our community ride, we had just over 200 participants! These amazing images tell the rest of the story.
Photos from the events courtesy of SnowyMountainPhotography and Kai Caddy.
Project Echelon Racing Team News
Project Echelon's racing season began, as it typically does, in the Arizona desert. First up was Valley of the Sun, the traditional season opener for American cycling. There, the team delivered more than just the win, but also a podium sweep.
And that was just the GC. Zach Gregg - wearing the stars and stripes - destroyed the TT course to take the Stage 1 win, and it was Tyler Stites that took the sprint to win Stage 2's road race. In the final day criterium, Project Echelon wrapped up 1-2-3 in GC with Stites, Gregg, and Stephen Vogel in third.
Next up was the Tucson Bicycle Classic where Project Echelon repeated their results with Gregg winning the Stage 1 TT and Stites winning the Stage 2 RR. Stites also won Stage 3 with Peter Olejniczak coming in third, and with that, Stites sealed the GC victory ahead of Gregg.
(Many photos courtesy of SnowyMountain Photography)
"Valley of the Sun and Tucson Bicycle Classic were good early season opportunities to test our fitness. We had a lot of success at those races, but we also found out what we needed to work on. We recently had a team camp in Winston Salem, NC where we were able to work on our weaknesses and dial in our strengths and bond as a team. We are ready to put all of that work to use at the upcoming races, Redlands and Gila." - Tyler Stites
Back in the Midwest, Evan Hartig won the opening TT at the Tour of St. Louis, where he would go on to finish 2nd and 5th in the next two stages to finish 2nd Overall. Hartig has been dedicated to the art of time trialing for years, and it was amazing to see it all come together for a well-deserved win.
Hartig followed up his win in St Louis with a stellar performance at the Rough Road 100, a 100km gravel race in Illinois. Project Echelon co-founder, Eric Hill, finished second after the two men dropped the rest of the field on separate occasions. Dominant would be an understatement.
Matt Zimmer represented Project Echelon at the Gents Race 12.0, where he raised over five thousand dollars for our veterans. Zimmer fought through peanut butter mud and classic Iowa headwinds to catch every one of the five-man teams that started in front of him, making the final catch just 3km from the finish line.
At Love Valley Roubaix, Will Hardin walked away with a huge win. Here is his play-by-play race recap:
"I came into the Love Valley Roubaix still recovering from team camp. I was feeling under the weather the whole week and was uncertain of my state of fitness, but decided to line up regardless for my first LVR! I did the customary Strava course recon to gauge the speed and pace of the tough sectors from the year before, where Michael Bissette and Kerry Werner battled it out. With targets for time and power, I started the race prepared for a hard course with long climbing efforts and technical gravel descents. Many of my competitors had done the new and challenging 100 mile race the day before, with strong crosswinds leading into a challenging second half.
Fatigue was apparent in the field, as the start was slower than expected. I attacked less than 10 miles in; over the top of a gravel climb and paced the decent hard enough to maintain a 10-15 second gap. The next, long climb approached and I paced hard, extending my gap over the top. The group behind did not chase and I extended the gap to 15 minutes at one point, soloing in and finishing almost 10 minutes ahead of second place!"
Not long after, Will and Project Echelon rolled into Sunny King for one of the first major criteriums of the season. Held under the lights, the race is notorious for its long and uphill finishing straight, but that didn't stop Will and Evan Hartig of Project Echelon from making major moves in the race's major breakaways. In the end, it all came back together for a field sprint, where Monk Feehery came across the line in 4th place. A great start to the long season ahead.
Project Echelon has a serious schedule ahead of them for the rest of 2022. The infamous Redlands Cycling Classic runs from April 20-24, with the Tour of the Gila and Joe Martin Stage Race coming shortly thereafter.
With the beginning of summer comes the beginning of crit season, and that means Project Echelon will be heading to the Tour of America's Dairyland in Wisconsin, and the Intelligentsia Cup in Illinois.
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2022 Sponsors: Bio-Tech Pharmacal, Bryton, Brioso Coffee Pirelli Tires, Koo, & Vafels
Bio-Tech Pharmacal is an industry leading, veteran owned, family operated nutraceutical company based out of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Fayetteville is a booming cycling community and Bio-Tech has seen the benefit that cycling tourism and the industry as a whole has brought to their region. We couldn't be happier to be partnering with them to educate others on the importance of proper nutrition and equip them with top of the line, science-based training tools like tri-salts and vitamin D3.
Bryton is a Taiwanese-based company that is making waves in the cycling computer industry. Their top of the line computer graphics, maps, data tools, and affordable price point, make them the device of choice for the team.
Who doesn't like coffee and bikes? This small town Columbus, Ohio based company has big dreams of changing the coffee industry in the United States. Inspired by some of the best cafes from around the world, you won't be disappointed by the unique roasts produced at Brioso. Sign up for their subscription service today!
We ride with confidence with Pirelli. Whether you are ripping the final corner of a crit, descending down slopes of a mountain, or throwing some dust on the mountain bike, Pirelli is our tire of choice and gives us the confidence to perform at the highest level.
A clear vision is the key to success. Koo eyewear is one of the best in the industry in both performance and style.
Don't let your rides get boring with the same old ride food. Switch it up and get excited about reaching into your back pocket with Vafels.
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Follow Project Echelon on Social MEdia
Instagram: Project Echelon (@projectechelon) and Project Echelon Racing (@projectechelonracing)
Facebook: Project Echelon and Project Echelon Racing
Thank You to All Our Sponsors
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Credits:
Photos by Snowy Mountain Photography and Kai Caddy