The Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride is this Friday and Saturday

The Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride is taking place this Friday, Jan. 10, and Saturday, Jan. 11, in the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys. This marks the 15^th year the event has been held in the Florida Keys. This year, 44 wounded warriors will participate — all military veterans. Patriotic banners and yellow ribbons will line U.S. 1 and downtown Key West. Residents are encouraged to come out and show these warriors your patriotic support!

Motorists should take extra time to get to their destination and pay attention to the schedule below. U.S. 1 will remain open for the Soldier Ride, but motorists should be patient, use caution and realize there may be rolling lane shifts in traffic.

• 8 a.m. Friday, set up beings at Key Largo VFW Post 10211, 102255 Overseas Highway. The ride begins at 8:30 a.m. It will head south on U.S. 1 with a 9:30 a.m. water stop at Coral Shores High School, 89901 Old Highway, Tavernier.  A second water stop will occur at the Postcard Inn, 84001 Overseas Highway, Islamorada. The Upper Keys ride will end at 11:30 a.m. at Robbie’s Marina, 77522 Overseas Highway.

• 12 p.m. Friday the warriors visit the Dolphin Research Center, 58901 Grassy Key. The public is invited to welcome the riders there!

• 10:30 a.m. Saturday, the ride departs Naval Air Station Key on Boca Chica Key, heading south on U.S. 1 into Key West to White Street, then to Eaton Street, then to Simonton Street, then to Front and then up Duval Street to Truman Avenue, heading to Bayview Park, 1320 Truman Ave., for an 11:45 a.m. welcome ceremony.

• 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, public Community Ride registration at Bayview Park in Key West.

• 12:45 p.m. Saturday, Community Ride begins at Bayview Park.

The Community ride will proceed: Jose Marti Drive>Truman Avenue>White Street>Southard Street>Margaret Street>Cemetery/USS Maine burial grounds>Windsor Lane>Truman Avenue>Simonton Street>South Street/stop at Southernmost Point>Whitehead Street>United Street>Duval Street>Front Street>Tift Alley/Military Memorial at Mallory Square>Wall Street>Wolkowsky Street>Whitehead Street>Eaton Street>Palm Avenue>Trumbo Point.

The Community Ride ends at 1:45 p.m. at the Fly Navy building in Trumbo Point. The public can ride with the warriors to historic Key West military sites and bike decorations are encouraged! There is a suggested $20 donation that includes a T-shirt to the first 100 riders registered.