Weirs motorcycle ride this weekend will support veterans, first responders

More than 50 bikers are expected to take part in the fifth Camp Resilience Motorcycle Ride on Saturday, Sept. 6, which has raised thousands for retreats and activities supporting veterans, first responders and their families.

Last year the ride raised $4,500. Weirs Beach’s High Octane Saloon will again be the ride headquarters, providing both the start and finish line, where there will be a post-ride barbecue, live music with Jackie Lee and a raffle. The Winnipesaukee H.O.G. Chapter will lead the ride.

Executive Director Jeff Ladieu said each year the event raises around $4,000 or so, and hopes to crack the $5,000 mark.

“It will be a great day to embrace the military and first responder community,” said Ladieu. “The route is pretty simple, but a beautiful ride with some breathtaking views.”

The ride will start at High Octane with kickstands up at 11:30 a.m., heading west on Rollercoaster Road then north on Route 106. The ride will head down Route 104 toward Newfound Lake, hitting the west shore and part of Route 3A, before making its way back to the saloon.

Development Coordinator Holly Summers said the event offers a chance to cruise the Lakes Region and be part of a community dedicated to healing.

“Camp Resilience hosts more than 20 retreats each year,” Summers said. “This is offered at no cost for veterans, first responders and their families. It offers outdoor experiential learning workshops and creates a chance for peer-to-peer support with small groups of six to 12.”

Scott Douglas, the New Hampshire American Legion Detachment commander and officer of the Sons of the American Legion Post 72, said more than $5,000 has already been donated to the ride. He expects to raise at least $10,000 more.

Douglas said each year they choose a project, and last year was Liberty House. He found Camp Resilience interesting in the way it helps veterans and first responders, which aligns with Sons of American Legion Post 72.

“It is the drive to help the veterans as much as we can,” Douglas said. “That’s what we do.”

Camp Resilience based in Gilford was established by a group of military retirees and supporters in 2014. Ladieu said the idea came about in 2011 at Gunstock Mountain when its founders saw a mono-skier coming down the mountain without arms. It inspired them to create an organization to help and support first responders and veterans in similar positions.

Camp Resilience is growing, and Ladieu said the three- to four-day retreats expand into surrounding communities like Alton, Bristol and Bridgewater. There will also be physical retreats in 2026 in Vermont and Massachusetts.

“What resonates with me is that most of the organization stems from volunteers, and from a small paid staff of four full-time employees, who embrace the vision and management,” Ladieu said.

Leadership includes those with backgrounds in military, business, public safety, mental health and nonprofits. Ladieu said this includes retired generals and judges, government officials, business executives and psychologists.

“This really brings a nice diverse leadership core who bring their expertise and beliefs to the table,” Ladieu said.

The organization’s mission is to use the scenic Lakes Region outdoors to help improve the social, mental, physical and emotional well-being of those involved, through life skills training classes, peer-to-peer counseling, and outdoor learning activities.

Some retreats are geared toward topics like resiliency, anger management, mindfulness, wellness and financial management, while others have more specific focuses like post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual trauma, adaptive sports, and help with spouses, caregivers and loved ones.

The organization focuses on four core values: resilience, connection, service and self-improvement. It is a model of inclusion, respect and strength of character, which coincides with the diversity of the first responder and military community. Retreats are designed to empower people to “connect, belong and grow.”

Other events which support the organization include a Run for Resilience, Oct. 1-10. Ladieu, who is a retired State Police captain with more than 25 years of experience, will be running 215 miles over 10 days, from Pittsburg to Nashua, with hopes of raising $100,000.

He said other runners will be joining him along the way, and one key stop on the seventh day will be at the Easterseals headquarters in Franklin. Gov. Kelly Ayotte will be hopping in for a 2-mile stretch ending at the Pheasant Lane Mall, where she will make remarks along with Association of the United States Army Region President Greg D’Arbonne and Massachusetts Environmental Police Col. John Monaghan.

Run for Resilience is held for suicide prevention awareness, and Ladieu noted while data shows 22 people die by suicide daily, the number is probably greater.

Camp Resilience costs are covered through grants and donations, and through fundraising events like the motorcycle ride and Run for Resilience.

In-person registration ends at 10 a.m. on Saturday, or at camp-resilience.org.