Expeditionary Veterans Association

03/20/2026

Nixon Mercado, USMC Veteran and Army Reserve Alum

With 4 years of honorable service in the USMC, Mr. Mercado supported military combat operations in OIF 1&2 with the highly decorated First Battalion Fifth Marines. Following his Marine Corps service, he spent 6 years in the Army Reserves, totaling 10 years of dedicated military service.

Now, Mr. Mercado is proud to be the owner of East J's Cuts and Shaves in Chula Vista, bringing a piece of camaraderie to the community one cut at a time. As a Veteran Volunteer Outreach Coordinator for E.V.A., He is committed to supporting fellow veterans. Although you may not see him out there on the trails due to some prior service connected injuries, Mr. Mercado is always ready to lend a helping hand and answer any questions in timely fashion.

Let's connect!

03/20/2026

🇺🇸🫡🙏🏽

03/19/2026

We know we host a lot of advanced type rides, so we decided to host a very beginner level ride. Very flat but fun single track and if you're up for a little side quest we can add some extra credit.

Hope you can join us for a fun ride. It's gonna be a hot weekend so be prepared. Half of this ride is in the trees and the rest w no shade.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/iu8gtGjhagC9qPbs5?g_st=ic

Please complete this online waiver before attending our therapy rides. Unfortunately, if you don’t fill out the waiver, you won’t be able to join us on this therapy ride. If you've already completed this before, you don't have to fill it out again. EVA is a 501c3 Non-Profit Charity, so we have everyone complete the liability waiver for your and our protection. Thank you.

https://forms.gle/CdNwYVfLyB3Jc3rN6

03/17/2026

03/16/2026

This is definitely something we've never done before, but we know a lot of Vets have lived in Cali for a very long time yet never been up to the historic Hollywood sign.

Yes it's a 2-3 hour drive to get there, but sometimes making the effort to do something new will leave a lifetime of memories.

There's no single tracks to this ride. Just a road and truck trail climb to the top. Depending on where we start, it will be 12-17 miles with about 1700 feet of climbing.

There is a chance we may or may not be staying the night up there for this ride. If we aren't, we will be able pick up people that want to catch a ride up from Murrieta area.

More details to follow the closer to event.

03/15/2026

Today was a grind session w these gents, but so worth the DH. Great job gents.



rockytalkies teammorimoto riverside jensonambassador .us

03/13/2026

Gabrielle White made history when she became the first woman to compete in the elite Best Ranger Competition—one of the toughest challenges in the U.S. Army.

Over three relentless days, White and her teammate, Seth Deltenre, ran miles, climbed obstacles, completed demanding ruck marches, fired weapons, and solved complex tactical problems under extreme pressure.

Only 16 of the original 52 teams managed to finish the competition, and their team was among those who crossed the final line. For White, the moment represented years of dedication, preparation, and resilience.

At just 25 years old, she is already an infantry officer, a graduate of United States Military Academy at West Point, and earned her prestigious Ranger Tab in 2022.

According to reporting from Associated Press, references to historic milestones by women and minorities were later removed from some military websites and social media pages during updates in March 2025.

Source: Associated Press reporting on the Best Ranger Competition and U.S. Army records.

03/10/2026

If you’re looking for a good beautiful scenic grind to the top and an epic DH session, look no further than to join us as we ride Ramona DH.

Not a very well known trail to bikers, but a very well known trail to hikers, off-road enthusiasts and campers, but if you’ve mtb’d here you already what secret gem this mountain holds for Mtb’rs.

We will climb 9.5 miles w/ 2700 ft of climbing on Thomas Mountain Road/Truck Trail, then full send in Enduro/DH fashion on Thomas Mtn Trail & Ramona DH which is about 8 miles.

This trail system is rated a Blue Trail, which is suitable for Intermediate/Advanced riders.

The terrain is loose over hard pack, rocky and technical in some areas and since it is summer, expect it to be fast and squirrelly on the DH. While climbing we will have little to no tree cover, but on the DH we will almost be in the trees the whole time.

Bring your energy supplements, water and off-trail bike maintenance repair kit and of course wear protective gear.

Hope to see you there.

Please completed this online waiver before attending our therapy rides. Unfortunately, if you don’t fill out the waiver, you won’t be able to join us on this therapy ride. Thank you

https://forms.gle/CdNwYVfLyB3Jc3rN6

https://maps.app.goo.gl/TzeebvAGoUYSXnAS8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Trailforks for area we will be riding in:

Ramona DH on Trailforks
https://www.trailforks.com/trails/ramona-dh/

03/10/2026

Something non war for once. Grats sir!!!!!!!!🫡🇺🇸

03/08/2026

Crazy fun day w the crew. Today we definitely earned the DH. 9 people that have never been here before and the other 3 was just a refresher, overall a sick therapy session as we did 17 miles w 3000 feet of climbing. Great job today to all that came out. Big thx to Rob from .0 for the donation to keep us patched up and ready to fight🫡🤙🏾🇺🇸



riverside jensonambassador .us

03/05/2026

Guess we're overdue to host this ride as it been over two years, so let's do this. Bring your e-bikes or e-legs as climbs are short to long and the DH session are so worth the climbs to get there. IYKYK. Don't worry this place is a ton of fun and totally worth the effort for the views we'll be able to see.

Wheels promptly rolling at 0800. This place is a hikers paradise, so if you want good parking, show up early.

Meeting location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dhcM3wPtNhLTV9nj6?g_st=ic

Please completed this online waiver before attending our therapy rides. Unfortunately, if you don’t fill out the waiver, you won’t be able to join us on this therapy ride. If you've already completed this before, you don't have to fill it out again. EVA is a 501c3 Non-Profit Charity, so we have everyone complete the liability waiver for your and our protection. Thank you.

https://forms.gle/CdNwYVfLyB3Jc3rN6