Cyclists gear up for Sea to Sea Tour
Two members of the Trinity Christian College community in Palos Heights, Ill., are preparing, as are many others across North America and beyond, to ride in this summer's cross-country 2013 Sea to Sea Bike Tour.
While some participants will be riding on the entire 3,900-mile route, the Trinity college representatives will take part in portions of the journey.
The bike ride serves to raise awareness and funds for those living in poverty around the world. Among others, it is being hosted by the Reformed Church in America, the business ministry Partners Worldwide, and the Christian Reformed Church’s disaster response and development agency World Renew.
The Tour is attracting participants young and old from many churches, organizations and communities.
The tour begins June 22, 2013, in Los Angeles and ends Aug. 24, 2013, in New York City. Stops include Phoenix, Colorado Springs, Pella, Grand Rapids, Toronto, and Montreal.
By participating in or donating to Sea to Sea, bicyclists, individuals, groups and congregations have the chance to actively serve the poor.
Michael Vander Weele, professor of English at Trinity Christian College and Kyle Wigboldy, a Trinity financial aid coordinator, both plan to take part in this event for a portion of the race.
Vander Weele and his wife Mary, members of Hope Christian Reformed Church in Oak Forest, Ill., will join the race for the last three weeks; their route begins in Grand Rapids, Mich., goes through Hamilton, Ontario, and Montreal, Quebec, and ends in New York City.
Vander Weele says one of the reasons he is taking part in the ride is because of his strong support for the wide-ranging work that World Renew is doing.
Wigboldy, a member of Loop church in Chicago and his wife, Joanna, will ride for one week, covering ground from Iowa City, Iowa, to Grand Rapids.
“Doing this ride is good way for me to be an advocate for change, to educate others on the effects of poverty and its scope, and to help others participate in contributing to the needs of people around the world,” he said.
Wigboldy averages between 5,000-8,000 miles of riding each year and hopes to continue that pattern to be physically prepared for the ride.
Vander Weele appreciates the sense of Christian community that surrounds this event.
“I love that the ride includes both Canadian and U.S. parts of the church and both the CRC and the RCA denominations,” he said.
“Even better, one-third of the funds will go to local initiatives in towns we will be visiting, and we will meet many of the people working in these programs and be able to encourage them. This seemed like an obvious way to put our passion for biking toward a good end that we really believe in.”
Cyclists will average 68 miles per day, resting on Sundays. Each rider is also required to raise at least $10,000 toward the cause.
A similar Sea to Sea tour in 2008 tour sent over $1.5 million to local, national and international agencies fighting poverty.
