Veteran Dmitry Solominsky will pedal across the country via the TransAmerican Trail on his mid-1980s Lotus Éclair in an effort to raise funds for and attention to the effects of PTSD. The cyclist will begin his ride early in Seattle, Washington on April 1, 2014, traveling south until he hits the official cycling route which spans from Astoria, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia.

As he pedals, Solominsky will be raising funds for Hope For The Warriors®, a national nonprofit organization that assists post-9/11 service members, their families, and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty.

A service member for eight years, Solominsky is calling this trip rideSolo. After 9/11, Solominsky joined the National Guard out of New York City as a member of the 69th Infantry Regiment during Operation Iraqi Freedom III. His passion for the military convicted him to give back in a unique way. The purpose of rideSolo is to make a difference in the lives of those with PTSD.

“I am grateful beyond belief to have the opportunity to change the norm,” Solominsky said. “If I can assist even one person into…taking strides they never thought possible, I will consider this trip a success.”

Solominsky estimates rideSolo will take between 8-11 weeks, averaging 60-70 miles a day. Specific stops of his trip are still up in the air, as the weather is still his biggest obstacle. He is camping along the way and staying with supporters of the cycling, firefighter, and military communities.

Solominsky is currently testing a GPS tracker in hopes that friends and supporters can track his journey next month.