Support Archives - Adventure Cycling Association

Gender Equity Mechanics Reflects on a Year of Bicycle Maintenance Workshops

Gender Equity Mechanics — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:52:56 +0000

Gender Equity Mechanics (GEM) is a gathering of women and non-binary people interested in learning hands-on bicycle maintenance and repair skills. We would like to give a shout out to Bikes Together, a non-profit in Denver, Colorado that uses recycled bicycles as a vehicle for equitable social change, as they inspired the name for GEM. GEM’s hands-on workshops are offered monthly at the Free Cycles community bike shop in Missoula, Montana, after the shop closes to the public, and the workshops are solely for women and non-binary people. We welcome and encourage all skill levels, and accommodate various experience levels by offering beginner, intermediate, and advanced mechanic lessons in separate work spaces. GEM Nights are free to the public, but we do accept donations. The workshops are led by female staff of Free Cycles as well as incredible women and non-binary volunteers from the community. We aim to have a minimum of two leaders in order to provide quality help, and with the help of an Adventure Grant from Adventure Cycling, we were able to have more instructors by offering payment to Free Cycles staff for their time. Each workshop was scheduled to last two hours, yet nearly every workshop lasted an additional 30-45 minutes due to high demand. We rotate the workshops each month to various nights of the week in order to accommodate different schedules, and during the sessions we encouraged the benefits of self-sufficiency and maintenance skills. We covered the essentials, including bike stand use, air, and overviews explaining brakes, chains, and sizing. We typically transitioned into learning together in separate stations, focused on various bicycle maintenance skills. Participants practiced these new skills, struggled, and succeeded in an empowering and supportive environment. Many participants spent the remainder of the time working on their own bicycle, while others borrowed a bicycle from Free Cycles to practice. We intentionally keep our lecture/talking points to a minimum so that people can experience more hands-on time with the tools and bikes. The number of participants at GEM can vary depending on the time of year, weather, or conflicting community events, but during this series of workshops we recorded more than 100 people. The primary goal of GEM is to increase bicycle usage and access among women and non-binary people. Women and non-binary people often report feeling intimidated or out of place in (often male-dominated) bicycle shops. By providing an opportunity for these demographics to become familiar with Free Cycles in a setting surrounded by others who are similar to them, they are more likely to come back for our other services and programs. We have found the workshops lead to more female and non-binary people coming back to the community shop which creates a trickle effect of a more welcoming atmosphere for all.

2024 Demographic Served

April: 3 helpers, 8 participants (11 total)
May: 5 helpers, 18 participants (23 total)
June: 3 helpers, 10 participants (13 total)
August: 7 helpers, 15 participants (22 total)
September: 8 helpers, 22 participants (30 total)
October: 2 helpers, 8 participants (10 total)
November: 8 helpers, 11 participants (19 total)

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We are thrilled to share these testimonials:

Helping create, lead, and improve GEM over many years, I have many great memories of specific and group interactions. Each time we host a GEM workshop I have been shown how much demand there is in the community for these types of spaces. Intentionally carving out rhetoric that welcomes people despite any previous knowledge or experience helps people open their minds and break down any preconceived notions or barriers they may have when it comes to bicycle mechanics. Many people have reported how the environment feels safe as they feel they will not be judged for any questions, mistakes, or struggles they may have in the learning process when surrounded by other people of the same gender. The hands-on practice and repetition allows people to grow their skills and start to learn their way around the simple machines of the bike. Every GEM has been uniquely different whether it is familiar or new faces who join, topics of interest or varying questions, and the actual turn out. Yet one thing has remained the same: coming together as a minority in what has been a male dominated industry leaves people feeling inspired, confident, and strong. This then has great ripple effects in both the local community and wherever these participants may travel or choose to relocate over the years. Time and time again I have been shown people learn to take better care of their bicycle, they are more likely to ride and have a more positive riding experience overall. The independence and liberation that the bike has provided women and other gender diverse people throughout time gives us more reasons to continue to prioritize -Emily Jensen, Free Cycles Programs Director and GEM Founder In January of 2024, I was first introduced to Free Cycles by attending a GEM Night. I moved to Missoula in the Fall of 2023 and had heard of Free Cycles as a community hub, but as a queer woman, I felt intimidated by bike spaces since they are typically male dominated. GEM turned out to be the stepping stone for me to get involved with Free Cycles in a way that didn’t feel intimidating. I loved that GEM is a space for women and non-binary folks that helps women and non-binary folks. GEM helps me and others break into the space of bike mechanics. Before GEM, I didn’t know much about bikes beyond the vague basics. In my first GEM, I learned the ABCs of bikes, housing and what it does, and troubleshot brakes. The volunteers and staff helping at GEM were kind, welcoming, and curious. We worked on our bikes hands-on and side-by-side. It was so much fun problem solving together and I felt a spark of joyful empowerment that night. GEM Night later prompted me to apply to work at Free Cycles because I wanted to help empower others in the same way GEM empowered me. Now, after working at Free Cycles for several months, I have learned more than I ever thought I would about bikes. But, best of all, I helped hundreds of individuals gain more confidence around bike work, helping fuel the same spark of empowerment I first felt at GEM. -Victoria Yee, Free Cycles Employee and GEM Instructor

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Out Our Front Door Celebrates Successful Adaptive Cycling Season

Out Our Front Door — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 17:48:00 +0000

This year, we were able to welcome 19 young people with adaptive needs (and their families), plus two adults with adaptive needs on our weekend bike camping trips for free. Through our inclusive model, Bike Camping For Everyone, we address the physical, emotional, and social health of our participants. Physical activity such as cycling (as well as immersion in nature) has been associated with improved mental health and psychological well-being. This includes improved self-esteem and moods as well as anxiety management. Our program is able to accommodate participants with a wide range of complex disabilities. These families are often amazed at what is possible with the right expertise and equipment. Out Our Front Door serves communities in and around Chicago, including under-resourced and disenfranchised populations. The families and adults we worked with this year came from many Chicago neighborhoods including North Lawndale, Hermosa, Humboldt Park, and many others. We had a number of key partners in this endeavor for 2024, including the Chicago Park District, Emily Oaks Nature Center in Skokie, and Cook County Forest Preserves. These partners helped provide the space for our outings, as well as loans from their camping gear libraries. We also worked closely with KEEN Chicago, which serves young people with a variety of disabilities. In addition to the eight different overnights, we also led a number of day rides to help recruit for our overnight program. These helped get young people on our bikes, feeling comfortable cycling and helping see the potential in adaptive riding. We also make bike loans to families with the help of our partner, Charlotte’s Tandems US, a national charity that helps us access bikes and funding to cover maintenance and insurance costs. Five of the overnights were within our standard Family Overnight Program. This is our most inclusive program, as the rides—which last three days and two nights—include both families who have children with disabilities and families whose children do not have disabilities. This is where we see the stigma of disability fall away, as bonds and friendships develop between these families and youth peers both during the ride and around the campfire. This year, our project enabled 125 individuals with disabilities to ride bikes, including day rides and bike camping trips. For the bike camping trips, we typically charge $100 per adult and $70 per child for the three days and two nights of guided cycling, camping, and meals. With the Adventure Grant from Adventure Cycling Association we were able to provide the rides for free for all 19 of our young adaptive riders and their family, as well as the two adaptive adult riders. Some of the grant funds also helped cover part of the SAG van rental cost, which supported the cyclists and transported our custom adaptive bikes to the events. We can’t thank Adventure Cycling Association enough for supporting our ever-growing Adaptive Program. Find out more about Out Our Front Door here.

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Trip Recap: Chicago United Cycling Club’s 2024 Overnight

Chicago United Cycling Club — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 15:09:31 +0000

Chicago United Cycling Club was so excited to receive an Adventure Grant from the Adventure Cycling Association. Our grant last year allowed our team to host its first bikepacking trip focused on WTFNB, BIPOC riders. We had fewer cyclists this year (six compared to 10 in 2023) but fewer had previous bikepacking experience. Our group of six met early Saturday morning, rolling out from a coffee shop and cycling at a leisurely pace along the Lakefront Trail, the first trail we’d take that day. We pedaled along roads, stopping every 10 miles or so to refill our water bottles and have snacks to avoid bonking on the warm summer day. We were excited when we made it to the turnoff for Illinois Beach State Park and cheered when we saw the sign for the park, which was about 49 miles from where we started. That distance was the longest some of our riders have done in a day, which called for extra celebration (mostly applause and more cheers). We spent the afternoon at the beach, the cool Lake Michigan water refreshing after a day sweating on the bike. Some of us threw a frisbee around while others chose to dunk themselves in the water or hang out on the beach. That night, we made dinner and talked more, getting to know one another and making jokes. This trip was instrumental in building community. Many expressed a happiness and safety in being able to do this sort of trip with people who identify in similar ways, especially when they haven’t sought to travel by bike before. We stayed together the whole ride, keeping the pace light and conversational while also pointing out potholes or other obstacles. We really took a group approach to our safety. The next morning two riders chose to take the Metra back while the rest of the group chose to ride back home. Despite the split up, it feels like we’ve made lasting connections. We all follow each other on Strava, supporting each other virtually, and two riders have joined other rides the Chicago United team has hosted. We hope to hang out together soon — on the bike or off.

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Trip Recap: CAT Adventure Cycling Women’s Overnight

Jennifer Cunningham — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 22:24:05 +0000

In the summer of 2023 — thanks to the grant from Adventure Cycling Association — the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation (CAT) stepped up its game from hosting weekly women’s rides to our first van-supported overnight. In the summer of 2024, thanks to another grant, we bumped it up again and planned a two-night trip. Alas, while thunderstorms cut our adventure one day short, there were plenty of ways we built on the experience and knowledge gained from the first year. This winter, five women from the 2023 overnight took a course to become ride leaders with CAT, a nonprofit organization that empowers people to bike, walk, and bus around Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley safely and efficiently. The women have been planning routes and leading up to 20 riders of all ages and abilities, increasing the number of cyclists in the area. Several women got into Ride with GPS and Google Maps, planning this year’s 25-mile-per-day route, and three cyclists even eschewed the support vehicle and carried their own gear!

The Adventure

We started out with a hearty breakfast, safety checks, and a short orientation meeting before taking off down the South Bethlehem Greenway. Good news / bad news: I fractured my tailbone and couldn’t co-lead the ride, but I still wanted to participate, so I took on the role of food and hydration Support and Gear (SAG) for the cyclists. If you’ve ever been on an Adventure Cycling Association supported trip, this is the van that follows you around with snacks. I’ve never felt so popular! As per usual with CAT rides, there were also stops for mid-ride treats. Ten miles in, the group swarmed the Inside Scoop, an ice cream shop close to the trail in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. After plenty of sugar to refuel, they got back on the trail, stopped again for more snacks, then rode about five miles on quiet roads to the campground. One would think that somewhere within three primitive, woodsy campsites there would be a few sturdy trees 10 feet apart to hang hammocks. But no! The ingenuity that happened next was the stuff that makes these trips so memorable and empowering. One hammock camper used a tarp to cover an otherwise unusable site teeming with poison ivy. Then two campers combined forces and designed a tent bunk bed to share the one other viable space. They also made a pact to forgo the beans for dinner. The campground made up for its lack of hammock space with a lovely swimming pool, complete with a diving board and a slide. As if we didn’t have enough adventure on the bike, several riders took aquatic plunges, simultaneously confusing and delighting the little kids in the pool! The next day, one of the riders, Anna, arranged for her favorite yogi to come start the morning off with a group stretch. Anna is also planning her first ride with CAT—a yoga and bike experience for later this fall. I brought hot coffee (and breakfast, though that didn’t seem as important!) and the group took off for a 20-mile ride around Lake Nockamixon. Near the end of the ride during lunch, it poured rain until they were done and ready to ride back to the campsite. Perfect timing! At camp, we used our phones to check the weather apps.

The Decision

The radar map showed a lot of angry weather coming at us later that night and through Sunday, so the group decided to head home. But despite already having biked 20+ miles, most of the riders passed on the offer to take them home via car, and they rode an additional 25 miles back to the starting point. Sure enough, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon were wet, wet, wet, so we were happy with our decision to bail early. But again, here’s how an adverse experience during a bike adventure can lead to more inspiration, empowerment, and connection: instead of complaining, we started brainstorming about how we could plan more trips to accommodate even more riders! This includes overnights with hotel stays, overnights outside our local area, and overnights designed for teenagers or seniors. Wherever we take this energy, Adventure Cycling Association has been a force multiplier for CAT, encouraging us to expose our members to the joy of traveling by bike, and igniting a program that will benefit our organization and our community for years to come!

CAT is Here For You

Wherever you are in your cycling journey, CAT has a program to support you. Bike overnights, road rides, trail rides, safety courses, help with tuning and fixing your bike, youth bike education, advocacy for better streets, advice on commuting by bike or bus, we offer it! Become a member today and you’ll get notified of all the opportunities.

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A 10-Person, 45-Mile Group Ride in Oregon with Friends on Bikes

Friends on Bikes — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 22:57:30 +0000

Thanks to our Adventure Grant, ten WTFNB (Women, Trans, Femme, Non-Binary), BIPOC riders met for a multi-modal bikepacking trip from downtown Portland to Stub Stewart State Park in Banks, OR. The group included both experienced and first-time bikepackers, riding 45 miles and tackling 1,335 feet of elevation along a mixed-surface route on the Banks-Vernonia trail, staying overnight at a campsite in Stub Stewart State Park. (See Adventure Cycling’s video about the Short Route to Stub Stewart.)

We met up on Saturday morning outside of J’s Cafe in Portland to catch the next MAX train to Hillsboro. Riders had a chance to get to know each other as we rode the MAX to the end of the line. Luckily for us, it started pouring rain as soon as we got off the train! We took a detour to a cafe to warm up with coffee and lunch and wait out the rain. After about half an hour, the sun peeked out, and we resumed our ride. This was, fortunately, the last we would see of the rain that day — moments of sun continued surprising us through the clouds as we were cruising along bucolic roads and fields of flowers at a conversational pace. We stopped along the way at Jim’s Market in Banks to have lunch and chat (and peruse the epic fried food hot bar). We then rode through the woods on the Banks-Vernonia Trail until we reached L.L. Stub Stewart State Park.

Once at the campsite, we set up our tents, shared dinner and snacks, and spent the evening talking around the campfire before turning in for the night. The next morning, after breakfast and coffee, we packed up camp and rode back to the Hatfield Government Center MAX station, with a detour to Glencoe Farms to pick freshly blooming peonies to bring home to partners and friends.

We were so happy we were able to provide this experience for our community and for multiple first-time riders. We’re very grateful that Adventure Cycling helped us cover the cost of transportation, campsites, and snacks for riders with the Adventure Grant. Furthermore, we were able to provide folks not only with a fun weekend experience, but also the knowledge and confidence they would need to go on similar cycling adventures on their own or with friends.

One of our riders even recorded a podcast for the Oregonian sharing their bikepacking experience and tips. To ensure new riders were well-prepared, we outfitted them with bags from the Friends on Bikes gear library, so they could try bikepacking without needing to invest in expensive equipment upfront. This ride was a blast and a perfect encapsulation of our greater mission as Friends on Bikes: to empower riders from marginalized groups to experience bike joy in a safe, educational and fun setting and provide a space for folks to meet and make deep connections, both on and off bikes.

Thank you for reading, we hope you enjoy the photos!

–Alyssa Alfonso, Casey Mong, and Arthi Vijaykumar

~2024 Ride Photos~

Podcast Link

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Remember the Removal Team Completes 950-Mile Ride in June 2024

Will Chavez — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 22:40:45 +0000

The 16th Remember the Removal team completed its nearly month-long journey on June 21, 2024, as the team rode into Tahlequah, OK, the capital of Cherokee Nation. The annual endeavor is meant to honor the Cherokee people who survived and perished nearly 200 years ago when 16,000 Cherokees were forcibly removed from their southeastern homelands in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. A quarter of the population was lost to injuries, extreme weather, starvation, murder, and diseases. The bike ride, partially sponsored by the Adventure Cycling Association, is also meant to instill leadership qualities in the youth who take part. The Remember the Removal ride began in 1984 as a youth leadership program to prepare youth for future challenges while teaching them Cherokee history and culture. After that initial ride in 1984, the event returned in 2009 and has been taking place since except for 2020 due to COVID-19 limitations. “It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s been a really great experience. I’m really excited to do this bike ride, and I’m grateful to have this opportunity,” RTR cyclist Hannah Neugin, 19, of Lost City, Oklahoma, said before beginning the ride. “My teammates and I have had a lot of time to get to know one another, and we’ve all developed great bonds with one another. A lot of hard work goes into this bike ride that a lot of people don’t get to see. We spend a lot of time doing weekly trainings. A lot of people don’t understand the time commitment that goes into this.” After a send-off ceremony on May 28, the team traveled to Cherokee, North Carolina, where they joined seven teammates from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and briefly trained with them before leaving for Georgia. On June 3, 2024, the ride began from New Echota, Georgia, the former capital of the Cherokee Nation. Jaslyn Christie, 19, of Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, said training for the ride from December to May “was not easy.” “The training was difficult for me. Even growing up in sports I feel like this is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I will say I have created a lot of bonds (with teammates),” she said. “It’s been a learning experience, and I’m so grateful to be here.” Christie added she believes Cherokee history is not taught enough in schools, and she wishes she had the opportunity to learn about her people’s history. “But that’s what I want to learn from this, and afterwards I want to be an advocate and teach people about what happened and teach people about all of the stuff I went through and the stuff that I learned,” she said. Dr. Michael Morris served as the Cherokee Nation’s Education Director in 1984 and organized the first ride. He said he had decided young Cherokee people needed a more intensive summer program. Along with co-worker, Mose Killer, he came up with a plan to have a commemorative re-tracing of the Trail of Tears. “I know of no way we can teach history better than by direct experience. They’re going to see the terrain and feel the toughness of those hills,” Morris said in 1984 before the trip. Angelina Jumper, 2024 cyclist, of the Snowbird Community in North Carolina said she knows her Cherokee ancestors were with her on this 950-mile journey. “I knew there was going to be a lot of history, and I knew there was going to be a lot of physical and mental challenges we were going to have to overcome as a team, but I think the one thing I didn’t expect out of this ride, that I felt, is that our ancestors were with us every step of the way,” she said. “You have all these places that you stop and you feel them, and as you leave you can feel them walking out with you. I think that has been the most life-changing thing for me on this ride. I didn’t think I would be able to feel that like I have been. It’s been beautiful to be able to pay our respects to our people.”

2024 Remember the Removal Ride Demographic Breakdown:

Ages: 18-50 Gender: 9 women and 8 men Ethnicity: Native American/Cherokee Skill Level: 16 participants were amateur cyclists, who had little to no experience riding a geared bicycle. One cyclist, a female, had extensive cycling experience and has ridden with teams and in races for numerous years. Her experience benefitted the entire team. Outdoor Experience: About half the team had outdoor experience with hiking, rafting, kayaking and some cycling.

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Rolling with the Flow in the D.C. Summer Heat with Camp MWABA

Qudsiya Naqui — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 16:06:02 +0000

Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes (MWABA) was thrilled to receive a grant from Adventure Cycling for our second annual tandem bike camping trip. This year, 25 campers braved the heat to camp with us on the Marsden Track on the C&O Canal Towpath. Of this year’s group, three people were first-time bike campers. Through a heat advisory, a detour, and many more adventures, we managed to roll with the flow and had a great time! Eight tandem pairs and our wonderful drivers met at the Bethesda Metro. Everyone was already sweaty but buzzing with excitement. This year, one of our campers, Qudsiya Naqui, served as our documentarian—she was at the ready with her phone to record our experiences for an audio story that will be featured on her podcast, Down to the Struts, in Fall 2024. Five pairs of tandem bikers who were interested in a longer ride took a 24-mile route through neighborhood streets to Rock Creek Park, and then along the Potomac River on the Capital Crescent and C&O Canal trails. Three tandem pairs did the same 14-mile route as last year down the Capital Crescent Trail, then out on the C&O Canal Towpath. Unlike last year, the towpath was almost completely dry with no puddles to splash through, but we still saw plenty of blue herons in the canal. When we arrived at the campsite, we unloaded our gear and set up our tents. We sat around a picnic table for a late lunch, talking about why we love biking and camping. Azka, one of the campers, summed it up: “Biking [is] like the actual definition of inclusion and accessibility, showing people that visually impaired and blind people can do anything if the environment and the bikes are adapted.” She also mentioned that she loves the birds chirping and the early mornings during a camping trip. Access was at the center of our trip this year—we made sure our tents were labeled in Braille so that everyone could easily find their own. Campers brought accessible chess and Braille playing cards to enjoy by the fire after dark. We also created a system of rope lines so everyone was able to feel their way to the bathroom at night. Around four in the afternoon, a group of us left for a four-mile hike up the trail and then onto the Gold Mine Trail. The trail leads to the ruins of a 19th century gold mine established during the Civil War. But the real gold is the trail itself: winding through Great Falls, Maryland, the tall trees offered ideal amounts of shade and we hiked to the sound of a babbling creek running alongside our path. The hikers returned to the campsite to find one of our drivers serenading everyone with guitar music, strumming Scottish and English tunes—plus a few American favorites like Brown-Eyed Girl—as dinner was set out. We had a marvelous burrito buffet, complete with salsa and fresh guacamole. Along with our original group, two tandem pairs, a solo cyclist, and a driver had left the Eastern Market Metro after work, biked through D.C. to the C&O Canal Towpath, and met the group at the campsite in time for dinner. Some campers enjoyed a swim in the Potomac River while the hikers were out. The water was calm and bathtub temperature, and the late evening summer sun sparkled on the surface. As the soaked swimmers dried off by the fire, we made s’mores, played board games, and told stories. One of the trip organizers shared her experiences as a puppy raiser for guide dogs, and we were joined on the trip by her newest recruit, Chloe, a sweet yellow Labrador puppy who enjoyed many snuggles. We woke to a beautiful morning and a yoga flow class led by Ariel, one of our intrepid gear drivers and fitness instructor extraordinaire. Nikos was on hand with fresh coffee, which we all enjoyed. Once we packed up camp, it was back on our bikes and off to Fletcher’s Cove, where we put in some rented kayaks and spent the afternoon floating on the Potomac River. Sharon, one of our planning committee members, arranged a wonderful picnic lunch of peanut butter sandwiches that we all enjoyed during breaks from boating. We rolled home on Saturday afternoon feeling accomplished, with lots of great memories, new connections, and stories to share. One of our tandem captains who had never bike camped before described our adventure as a “great entry point,” and said he was up for another trip. One of our stokers who had never bike camped before told us: “I never thought camping was an option for my visual diagnosis. As corny as this sounds, it expanded my view of what is possible for me.” Even in the heat, Camp MWABA managed to roll with the flow, and we had an amazing time!

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Trip Recap: Langford’s Third Annual Bike Overnight

Kari Kuwamura — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 18:11:59 +0000

This is the third Langford Elementary School bike camping trip supported by Adventure Cycling’s Bike Overnights program. You can read about the first one here and the second one here. This year, Langford Elementary School celebrated its third annual bike camping trip, supported by Adventure Cycling’s Bike Overnights program. Embracing the tradition, students and volunteers embarked on an adventure from Langford Elementary to McKinney Falls State Park on May 9-10, 2024, marking the final trip before the school closed for renovations. For over seven years, Langford Elementary and the Ghisallo Cycling Initiative have partnered to provide South Austin students with biking opportunities, fostering skills, exploration, and friendships. This time, ten enthusiastic students and three dedicated volunteers set out for an overnight trip.

A Hot and Challenging Journey

Gathering in a classroom after school, the group prepared their bikes, filled water bottles, and loaded gear, including tents and sleeping bags, into the support vehicle. The six-mile ride to McKinney Falls was filled with camaraderie and encouragement as students navigated neighborhood streets, bike lanes, and McKinney Falls Parkway. The trails were too overgrown this year, necessitating a road and bike lane route. Braving one of the hottest days of the year, with temperatures soaring over 90 degrees and limited shade, the kids persevered with the support vehicle providing much-needed water, air conditioning, and moral support. Arriving at McKinney Falls, the intense heat couldn’t dampen their spirits. The group set up camp with enthusiasm and cooperation. The students, many of whom were new to camping, eagerly pitched tents and helped unload the vehicles.

Fun Despite the Heat

The highlight of the trip was playing in the Upper Falls. Recent rainfall had made the creek’s flow even more robust, and the kids delighted in splashing and swimming in the refreshing water. As the day wound down, the group gathered for a delicious dinner. Grilled fajitas, followed by s’mores, made for a memorable meal under the drizzling sky.

Evening Activities and Bonding

After enjoying a dip in the falls, the group encountered thunderstorms, including a tornado that touched down about 15 miles south of the campsite. Despite being in the eye of the storm, the kids munched on cheese sticks until it was dry enough to cook dinner. Though Bike Story Night had to be canceled due to rain, the kids enjoyed a camp-cooled dinner, stories, and tent time with friends. Phone calls from concerned parents and the principal were met with assurances of safety as the group watched the storm pass over.

Wrapping Up

The following morning, the group packed up their tents, enjoyed breakfast tacos, and set out for the return ride to Langford Elementary before school started. The cooler morning weather and downhill ride was a joyful finish to their overnight adventure, with students greeting the wildflowers along the way. Back at school, Principal Castillo welcomed them with congratulatory words and celebrating their successful trip.

Gratitude

This adventure was made possible by the support and dedication of many individuals and organizations. Special thanks to parent volunteers and teachers Girmawi, Lily, Kari, and all the students for their participation and enthusiasm. Kari’s support with the SAG wagon was invaluable for water breaks along the way. We are also immensely grateful to Cabela’s for helping us purchase last-minute tents after discovering our usual tents were damaged. Lastly, a heartfelt thank you to Ghisallo, Langford Elementary, Adventure Cycling, and Texas State Parks for making this trip a reality. As Langford closes its doors for renovations, we look forward to continuing our programming at Palm Elementary, where students will be transferred during the school’s temporary closure.

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Cycling the Route To Emancipation

Ariel Marlowe — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:03:58 +0000

When I met Talib in February of 2021, we were in the front parking lot of Cycleast. I’d spent the previous day on a date, doing the original Black History Bike Ride (BHBR) route, quietly struggling to complete the 8.46 miles on my single-speed bike. So when I spotted him, I had some questions… Was he the guy who hosted the initial Black History Bike Ride in June? And if so, why didn’t he put a warning on his online route about it being so hilly? We laughed and soon became friends.

Our friendship evolved when I began to help organize and lead BHBR events around the city, and when Talib suggested we film a documentary of our 350-mile ride from Austin to Galveston for Black History, I had zero questions. Similar to when we met, I was unaware (and unafraid) of the challenges that lay ahead, but after two years of adventure biking, leading Black History Bike Rides, and securing a geared bike from Rocky Mountain, I was better prepared. Nothing however could have prepared me for the impact this trip would have on my own life.

The author posing on his bike

Ariel Marlowe

Our trip began on May 11th, with the first 87-mile leg starting at the Texas African American History Memorial on the State Capitol grounds and ending at Lake Somerville State Park. It was the warmest and most gravel-filled day of the long weekend, which was exactly what we needed on the first day. Along the way, we had two planned stops: The Freedom Colony Moab in Lexington and the Antioch Church in Ledbetter, where we would meet Gladys Clemmons, the church secretary, who shared their nearly 150 years of history with us. Our visit at the Antioch Church was meaningful because it reminded me of the one I attended when I was young. From the soft velvet carpet to the heavy, reverent air, I felt like I’d stepped into a time capsule where the only thing missing was my family. At the time, I had not seen them for a few years, so the nostalgia became a bit overwhelming. After stepping outside and taking a moment to gather myself, Ms. Gladys let me ring the bell before we rolled out toward our campground for the evening.

Ariel Marlowe

The second day we set off for Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) to meet Dr. Marco Robinson, Associate Professor of History and Assistant Director of the Ruth J. Simmons Center for Race and Justice. This was the only day I cracked a bit. It may have had something to do with the elevation gain. It may have been the headwinds. Or it may have been due to me being out of my comfort zone. On most trips I’m focused on taking care of my own needs, and sometimes, when leading a group, I’m responsible for their safety and needs as well. So when our plan shifted and I began to get cranky and tired, I had to practice something new: leaning on and trusting those around me for help and energy. As we rolled into PVAMU, I felt so fortunate for my brothers and this safe place for us to rest and learn. We completed our 91-mile day when we arrived at Stephen F. Austin State Park for the evening. The third day began with rainfall. The drizzle that welcomed us during the rollout, became a full downpour by the time we turned off the park road. After a short reconvene with the production crew, a gear stowaway, and a mini hype sesh/dance party we set back off on our 70 mile day. Because of the weather, we didn’t stop often, but one stop was very memorable. We’d just dried out in between showers, when we decided to take a 15 minute break under a gas station overhang. While sitting there, a storm hit that extended our wait. After about 40 minutes, we set out fully rested, energized, and grateful we’d waited it out. However, what we didn’t realize was that we were actually traveling in the same direction as the storm. After 10 minutes we ended up riding headfirst back into the maelstrom we had just waited out! What was a great annoyance at the time, gave us something to laugh about at camp that evening. This day also held my favorite part of the route… our time at the Levi Jordan Historic Plantation Site, where we met the site educators Kennedy and Will. It meant a lot to have those young Black educators there to host us, to share the history of the site, and to laugh at our stories after the long day.

Ariel Marlowe

Our final day would end with us at Galveston, the birthplace of Juneteenth. It was another intermittently rainy day, but at least we knew there was Buc-ee’s stop not too long into the route. Shortly after stopping there for snacks, we crossed the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge into Surfside, for a brief reflection of how much we’d done to get our feet on the sand. But our journey wasn’t done, so we turned onto Bluewater Highway for the final 38 (flat) miles. The weather was beautiful for most of this stretch, which was a welcome reprieve. However, as we arrived into the city, the sea wall greeted us with a downpour. And when we turned toward downtown Galveston, the streets were already flooding. I remember being grateful for the rain as we all stepped off of our bikes, because it didn’t take long for the tears to begin to flow. We’d completed our journey and were able to just let the rain and emotions wash over us. As we all cried and hugged one another, the connection we’d felt the entire journey with the land, history, and one another just resonated. We were here, we were free, and we were together.

Ariel Marlowe

Writer’s Note: At the time of filming, BHBR was a project in Six Square’s incubator program, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that celebrates and preserves the great arts, culture and history of Central East Austin. As of January 2024, Black History Bike Ride has received its own 501(c)3 nonprofit status, with a goal of empowering more people to share the stories that highlight black history, current events, and futures. We think this documentary will be a great way to further inspire and educate people, not only in Austin but in Texas and beyond. The full documentary can only currently be seen at the film festivals we’ve been selected for: Bicycle Film Festival (NYC), Denton Black Film Festival (Denton), LA Black Film Festival, Pan African Film Festival (LA), Say it Loud Festival (Baltimore), and Hayti Heritage Film Festival (Durham, NC). If you’d like to help support our mission of riding bikes and sharing Black History, please support us by attending rides and screenings, or by donating here.

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Trip Recap: Cola Town Bike Collective Bike Overnights

Jaclyn Kawsky — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 00:00:08 +0000

The Cola Town Bike Collective (CTBC) hosted two bike overnights for women, trans, femme, and nonbinary (WTFNB) individuals in 2023 thanks to support from the Adventure Cycling Association.

CTBC was established in 2015 and serves as a local bike shop and charity benefiting the Midlands region of South Carolina. CTBC partners with community organizations to provide bicycles to people experiencing homelessness, refugees, and other individuals with the greatest need. For every bike sold, four are donated back to the community and for every paid repair completed, five free or low-cost repairs are made for people in need. CTBC has established a vast series of bicycle repair stands throughout the community to get a person safely on their way. In 2023, to complement CTBC’s bike transportation mission, we wanted to expand our support for bikepacking, specifically increasing interest and access for WTFNB individuals.

Gearing up in the parking lot for the first COLA trip

Jaclyn Kawsky

I got back into biking in spring 2022 after a hiatus of more than 10 years, quickly falling in love with it again. The town of Columbia offered a supportive and fun community, including a monthly WTFNB ride. That fall, a local group of guys had done a bikepacking trip — the Chauga River Ramble — and after hearing their stories I knew bikepacking was something I wanted to experience. But there was no way I could start off with something like that. I needed an entry point, which my friends had ready for me. My first overnight was in December 2022. It was freezing. Literally. And that does not happen often in Columbia, South Carolina. Despite the temps, that trip was so much fun. Our destination was the Peak to Prosperity Passage of the Palmetto Trail. It was the best entry point for bikepacking I could have asked for. Shortly after that trip, I was invited to join CTBC’s board, and when the opportunity for the Adventure Cycling Association Bike Overnights arrived, I knew I wanted to share my experience.

Photo ops at the “The End”

Jaclyn Kawsky

The Peak to Prosperity Passage of the Palmetto Trail is located less than 30 miles from downtown Columbia and CTBC. In my opinion, being close to home for an introductory trip is ideal. The Peak to Prosperity Passage is an 11-mile section of gravel and dirt rail-trail cutting through piedmont forests. It includes numerous wooden trestles crossing Crims Creek and a scenic 1,100-foot bridge over the Broad River. Best of all, it’s almost entirely flat. Climbs on a loaded bike certainly can make for Type II, (or even Type III) fun and I wanted folks to bikepack again after this trip. Another advantage of this location is that Wilson’s Grocery is right next to the trail, serving up burgers and snacks and reducing the concern of packing food and hydration for beginner bikepackers. Our first group overnight trip was April 29th. While the afternoon was beautiful, the overnight forecast was bleak. Six riders joined for a daytime trail ride and hangout, while three of us stayed to brave hours of overnight storms. Only one of the six participants had prior bikepacking experience, while the majority had some primitive camping experience.

Group photo at “The End” of the trail

Jaclyn Kawsky

That afternoon, everyone arrived at the Alston trailhead, loaded up, and biked a little over five miles to our campsite. After setting up our tents and hammocks, the group set out to bike to “The End” at mile 11, then pick up snacks and dinner at Wilson’s Grocery about a mile from our campsite. The group knew the grant supported meals to reduce a financial barrier to participation, but it didn’t stop any of them from generously packing things to share. I was surprised when items like tea, cheese, and crackers made their way out of bags and onto the picnic table, but I was shocked when a whole frying pan of chorizo emerged from a backpack. We enjoyed an evening of tacos, cards, and good company. Those who did not camp got the bonus of a new water feature on their way out thanks to rising waters from previous days’ rain, and to avoid possible flooding and riding in the rain in the morning, those who camped learned that three people, gear, and bikes can fit in a car … if you’re really determined.

Jaclyn Kawsky

Unlike the night of our spring trip, the weather was perfect for our fall bike overnight on October 7th. Same place, same plan. This time, eight bike overnighters participated and even more joined for a day ride. Six of the eight considered themselves a beginner or had no experience bikepacking, while one also had never been camping before. After our 15-mile ride, again a frying pan appeared, this time for shrimp tacos. Even though we did not have rain like we did in the spring, this time our hazard was black walnuts, which would make an alarming thud on impact, sometimes too close for comfort. We enjoyed an evening of good food and even better company around the campfire, several of us still wearing helmets out of fear of the walnuts. It was nice to not be rushed out by rain the next morning. After coffee and breakfast of local bread, we packed up to cycle back. Overall, participants completed at least 22 miles of riding, 10.5 on loaded bikes.

The second trip heading out

Jaclyn Kawsky

With the support from Adventure Cycling Association, multiple individuals got to experience bikepacking for the first time. Because they were introductory trips, participants were encouraged to use the gear they already had or borrow items from friends or CTBC instead of making purchases. CTBC was able to support some riders with items from our developing gear locker, while others had their own solutions for bike storage like making panniers from Aldi backpacks. It was inspiring to see the enthusiasm, creativity, and generosity of the riders on these trips, and proof that you can make bikepacking work with what you have. I feel confident that everyone had Type I fun. CTCB is excited to continue to plan intro WTFNB bike overnights and expand with more challenging or self-supported trips for those interested.

The post Trip Recap: Cola Town Bike Collective Bike Overnights appeared first on Adventure Cycling Association.