The 17th annual Wounded Warriors Project “Soldier Ride” took place Friday in Babylon.

The event – which raised over $160,000 – saw 40 veterans bike 25 miles along the South Shore along with 1,000 fellow bikers behind them.

"Most of these warriors, they may get a thank you at the airport,” said director of Adaptive Sports for Wounded Warrior Project Michael Owens. “They may get something with their family. But coming out to an event like this, where you have 1,000 people cheering them on, showing them love, giving them hugs and saying thank you is amazing."

A portion of the proceeds raised will go to local organizations that help veterans like Paws of War.