KRISTINA BOLTON | guest writer
“It is the start of a process of learning that the culture we live in is one that will leave you empty,” Johnson said. “It will leave you always wanting more if you constantly try to buy happiness. I don’t expect this to be that big of a realization to someone, but it could be and it was the beginning of the process for me.”
It is approximately 3,700 miles from one end of the United States to the other. The miles span over 11 different states and run through countless cities and towns. By plane, the average time to fly from Washington to New York is 8 hours. By car, the time is nearly tripled. By bicycle, the time can seem incalculable. “It’s going to take a little less than eight weeks,” CJ Eckman said. Eckman, a freshman Business Administration major, along with freshman Economics major, Leighton Cusack and freshman Graphic Design major, Greg Christian, are spending part of their summer riding their bikes across America for a non-profit organization “Project Rwanda” in what they have called, The Ride for Rwanda.
These three “cycleteers” were inspired by their passion for adventure and encouragement from their peers to embark on this journey that will stretch from Anacortes, Washington to New York, New York this summer starting June 16 and ending Aug. 5.
“We didn’t think it was possible,” Eckman stated, “we thought biking across America was like going to the moon, we didn’t think it was a very plausible thing.” The three Trinity residents met each other early in the year and began their cycling adventures to Santa Barbara with their Resident Advisor, Forrest Lewton, carrying with them no food or money. After arriving back at APU with their bodies and bikes still in tact, the idea was sparked to expand on their new hobby. “We were still really excited,” Cusack explained, “and we were like, ‘wow, that was sweet, lets do it on a larger scale.’” And so it began.
After setting their sights on the other side of the country, they discovered “Project Rwanda,” a non-profit organization that focuses on providing bicycles for the people of Rwanda. “The main thing they do is sell bikes at discounted prices to farmers in Rwanda so they can transport their produce to the markets,” Cusack described, “so it kind of made sense for us to raise money by biking.” Earlier in the school year, the boys had the opportunity to ride along side the founder of “Project Rwanda”, Tom Ritchey. With the idea and organization set in place, the team began scouting for sponsors and conditioning for the ride.
Their process of getting sponsors consisted of mass emails to minor and major companies, from local produce companies to large brands such as Apple Computers, Nike and Gatorade. Many emails went out, yet there were only a few replies. “I sent out 16 emails,” Christian recalled about the day’s progress, “and got one reply.” Over time however, the riders have continued to persevere towards their goal of $40,000. They have even taken matters into their own hands. “We street perform and pass out flyers to get the word out,” Eckman stated, “and all the money we raise from street performing we use to help build our bikes and get components.” Numerous companies have chosen to sponsor them, including: Crank Brothers, Brooks Saddles, Sticker Robot, Legacy Produce, NorthPointe Christian Schools, and Wynalda Litho. Their support will help with the funding needed for the ride, and the rest for the project.
The riders’ bicycles are also in need of preparation before the summer. Of the three riders, only Cusack has had past experience with cycling. Eckman and Christian are learning as they go along. Their bicycles roughly reflect their personalities and simple outlook on the sport. Eckman’s bicycle was purchased from a swap meet for $45. “Its got a flat tire,” Eckman admitted, “and the tube and the tire was worth more than the whole bike.” Christian’s bicycle was purchased at the local Wal-Mart as a gift from his friends. Yet their means of transportation further justifies the end. The more they get the word out, the more they have seen what fruit of their labors. “We told this lady that we are biking across America, and she called us clowns,” Eckman said. “Yeah, but she checked out our website and now she wants to donate her 18 year old bike, so it’s cool,” Cusack finished. Other individuals have also planned to donate their bikes to the project, and the fruit keeps multiplying.
They have also undergone physical conditioning as well. “We ride the bikes at the gym, and on the trails when we can get outside,” said Cusack. When it comes to long-distance cycling, they have learned that you actually ride yourself into shape. “You go into it not riding that much,” Eckman stated, “and ride for the first week or however many days and pretty much ride yourself into shape.” The riders have also recruited a couple of their friends from Michigan to ride along side them across the country.
The route they have chosen to ride is a pre-cycled transcontinental route that spans across the northern states between Washington to New York. Their stops each day, although not planned yet, are intended to be another way of spreading the word about their cause and “Project Rwanda.” They plan not to stay in hotels, but rather in people’s houses that open up their homes to them, and if no one has a place to stay, they’ll camp. “Were not going to stay at hotels,” Cusack said, “Were just going to sleep outside or stay at peoples houses so we can tell more people about what were doing and save money so we can donate more to Project Rwanda.”
Given that this is the first annual Ride For Rwanda, nearly everything that they are doing is completely new to them. Throughout the entire process, these riders have learned the importance of putting professionalism to their passion, and persevering through every obstacle. With a little over two months left until the start of their adventure, these boys have come a long way. “We are the first ever,” Cusack said, “We breathed the idea and its been hard, I never though it was possible, but were doing it.”
