Peterborough Woman Cycling From France To Belgium With Wounded Warriors Canada
/Miranda Zeppieri, a Peterborough local, will be participating in the 100 Days to Victory Battlefield Bike Ride with Wounded Warriors, cycling from France to Belgium in June.
Photo courtesy of Miranda Zeppieri.
Wounded Warriors Canada provides a range of clinically facilitated mental health programs specifically developed to support the unique needs of Veterans, First Responders and their families. Zeppieri has been a supporting the cause since 2016.
Being a military partner, a step-mom to two military daughters, and having multiple extended family members in the military, Wounded Warriors is an organization close to Zeppieri’s heart.
“It’s one of those things I quickly became very passionate about,” she said. “I became passionate about cycling about eight years ago, then found out about the Wounded Warriors highway of Heroes ride and I became involved in that. It was amazing and I was able to give back to the military community. I’ve done that ride every year since 2016.”
Wounded Warriors has since retired the Highway of Heroes ride, now Zeppieri participates in their mental health ride which is 220 km long.
From June 13 - 17, Zeppieri, with a group of 100, will cycle from Arras, France to Mons, Belgium - the route the Canadian Corps trekked during the last 100 days of World War One. The Battlefield Ride will be Zeppieri’s longest ride yet, at over 400 km.
“My big ‘why’ as to why I’m riding is that this is my chance to give back and to make a difference within the military community,” said Zeppieri. “I’m doing it as a challenge to myself and I’m also advocating as an individual with two rare medical-complex disorders. I ride to show other people that you can do things even if you have challenges.”
Zeppieri has lived with epilepsy her whole life and also lives with PTSD and anxiety. She says that cycling acts as therapy for her.
In addition to being able to give back to the military community, Zeppieri is also looking forward to seeing the name of her Great-Uncle, who fought in France during WWI, on the wall at Vimy Ridge and paying her respects.
Lauralee Mills and Miranda Zeppieri. Photo courtesy of Miranda Zeppieri.
