#spokenrev

I Smile Because…

It’s been only 5 years since the Spoke ‘n Revolutions Youth Cycling group became more than just an idea on a piece of paper. It has become more than that to everyone who has taken part of our journey as cyclist. Once you become involved with the group you will always have a part of it for the rest of your life.

I was only 15 when I first joined Spoke ‘n Revolutions and cycled my first 1800…

This Is The Beginning…

I woke up this morning not wanting ice water but NEEDING it. This had never happened before and at 2:40am to boot. But something was different. I walked out of my hotel room with ice bucket in hand and headed to the ice machine, filled it and headed  back to my room. Still unsure as to why because I’m tired. very tired.

In the room I picked up the plastic wrapped cup and was about to fill it…

The Kindness of Others

Back in 2011 I wrote a blog entry during our Underground Railroad summer tour. In it I talked about how we completed our almost 1700 mile journey by criss crossing from state to state and having sleeping accommodations in living rooms and backyards along the route. The majority of the stops for the night were with people we had only met that day or the day before over the phone. For me this was a…

Who and What is Spoke’n Revolutions Youth Cycling?

It all started in the fall of 2009 with the idea of having youth cycle from Maine to Florida. People thought we were crazy. I thought it was crazy! So, in order to prove we weren’t we needed a pilot. That’s when we enticed 7 high school students to ride 60 miles around the town of Edenton, NC during CycleNC’s Spring Ride. To our delight, they loved it. Their only concern, “Why were all those old…

Bicycles for the 2012 tour and training

This past weekend I swept the dirt and leaves from my garage and built a bike rack to keep the youth cyclists' bikes out of the elements.  We have seen an unprecedented donation of quality bicycles: Cannondale, Kona, Fuji just to name a few.  This year we have 13 cyclists taking a journey of a Lifetime and making a commitment to themselves and their future.  That's an increase of five from 2011.

But it's not all about riding bikes for the teens, that's just the hook. This is a youth leadership program that changes lives and moves teens in a different and for some, a more positive direction.

As an example, at the beginning of the almost 1800 mile 2011 Underground Railroad tour, one cyclist never thought he could go a day without television. Another  gained a greater appreciation of the efforts those who came before us made. All of the cyclists walked away from the experience more educated than they were before they began. The National Park Brice's Crossroads visit just off the Natchez Trace Parkway made an exceptional impression on the Youth Cyclists as they were told of the 55th and 59th USCT US Colored Troops' bold defense of the retreating Union Army.  (http://www.nps.gov/brcr/the-battle.htm)

We're not just grooming the next generation of cyclists and critical thinkers we're also building appreciation for history and great outdoor activities.

Quoting Milton Chen, a senior fellow and executive director emeritus at Edutopia, "This is project-based learning at its best, combining travel to powerful places with authentic experience of history and geography, collaboration towards a common goal, and intense physical activity. And using the Internet to document the trip…". The blogs of the Youth Cyclists can be read here http://spokenrevolutions.wordpress.com/category/ugrr/

Since the spring of 2010, SnR youth cyclists have contributed hundreds of community service hours locally, regionally, and nationally.  Engaging them in community service builds self-efficacy and in turn they recognize that they can make a difference.  The program promotes strong relationships between youth and adults - creating confidence and knowledge that people care about them. The SnR Leadership Program empowers participants to take leadership roles in their schools and communities.  Several of the current members serve on local town boards, community boards, and are peer mentors for younger students.

We begin this summer's westward tour following the Buffalo Soldiers' 1896 bicycle route and the Lewis & Clark Trail on June 22, 2012.  At this time we can use all the help we can get.  Will you stand with us in support of youth leadership and development by making a contribution now?

Your support of $5 or more will go to buy tents, or hydration packs, healthy snacks or much needed fuel to power the vehicle that will follow them along the way. Your help is needed.