Cyclists bring awareness of poverty
CONNELLSVILLE – After pedaling 4 1/2 hours from McKeesport early Monday, a group of 24 bicyclists received a warm welcome from those anxiously awaiting their arrival at St. Rita’s Church social hall, where they stopped for a quick lunch before continuing a 3,880-mile journey to “brake the cycle of poverty.” The bicyclists took to the bike trail about 6 a.m., traveling through Smithton, Sutersville and West Newton before reaching the city’s West Side.
Although their arrival was delayed after overnight rains blocked several sections of the trail, the cyclists were greeted by more than 50 people, including members of St. Rita’s Youth Group directed by Steven Krzanowski, who helped organize their stop in the city.
“We’re honored to have this (event) taking place here,” said the Rev. Frank Lesniowski of St. Rita’s.
The cyclists, ranging in age from 18 to 73 years, began their trek from San Francisco on June 1 and are scheduled to wrap things up Friday in Washington, D.C., having toured 32 dioceses in 13 states in an effort to raise awareness about poverty in the United States.
This is the first year for the bike-a-thon sponsored by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), a national organization spearheaded by the U.S. bishops to address poverty issues across the U.S.
The idea for the event was brought to CCHD’s attention last year by Mary Wright, who serves as the organization’s education coordinator.
Rev. Lesniowski said he appreciates that St. Rita’s was included as part of the campaign since many people are unaware that poverty also exists in Fayette County.
Mayor Judy Reed said not only was she pleased by the turnout, but also impressed by the efforts of the youth group to raise such a local awareness for a problem that exists around the world.
Rev. Lesniowski added the cyclists’ two-month commitment of pedaling cross country to generate awareness for a specific cause speaks for itself.
Jose Ramirez, a seminarian from St. Augustine, Fla., was the one of the first two cyclists to arrive at the church social hall.
Ramirez, who celebrated his 30th birthday June 4 while on the trip, said he was overwhelmed by the generosity of the people that have greeted the cyclists during their stops in California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Because the event is taking place cross country, another team of cyclists departed from Manchester, Conn., on July 27 traveling through New York, New Jersey and Delaware before teaming up with the 24 cyclists in Baltimore.
On the average, Ramirez said the cyclists have pedaled about 75 miles each day of their trip. “If we all put our heads together we can do something to make a difference in this great nation,” said Ramirez, an avid cyclist and triathlon participant.
Ramirez, who was born in New Mexico, studies at the St. John Vianney Seminary in St. Petersburg, Fla., and will be ordained in 2006.
When it comes to cycling, 73 year-old Lyle Langlois of Phoenix, Ariz., is no stranger to the sport.
The athletically inclined father and grandfather said since his retirement from Glenndale Community College in Arizona he has toured China, Spain and Turkey by bike in addition to running marathons in all 50 states and competing in the ironman triathlon.
Langlois said when he learned of a bike-a-thon for poverty from his local parish, he couldn’t help but get involved. “A lot of people don’t recognize (poverty) is here,” said Langlois.
Langlois said on this trip he has been most noted by fellow cyclists for his 20-minute roadside naps. “It refreshes me and I still get there on time for supper,” said Langlois, who is tackling a 7,000-foot climb of Pike’s Peak in Colorado next month.
Following their stop in Connellsville, the cyclists will stay in Somerset County today before finishing their last leg to the nation’s capital.