REYNOLDSVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – Recently, Reynoldsville got a visit from a group of cyclists who were pedaling to bring awareness to poverty housing.
The Fuller Bike Adventure is a sub-organization of the Fuller Center for Housing. It was started by Ryan Iasiglioa as a fundraiser for the housing for the poor. Each cyclist raises money for its trip – a suggested amount is a dollar a mile. This trip went a little over 36,000 miles from Grove City to Reynoldsville and then from Reynoldsville to Bellefonte.
Riders complete the Fuller Bike Adventure cross-country bike ride. Photo by Katelynn Guerini (Fuller Center).
One of the keys of the adventure is to make sure a maximum amount of money goes to the cause.
“The slogan is ‘Live simply so others can simply live,’ explained Fuller’s Courtney Fields, a media intern. “Money goes to the cause and not to housing and administration fees, so we sleep on the floors of churches and schools.”
The typical route goes on back roads and bike trails. If that does not work, they use the safest state highways they can find. They make seven stops along the way, working with local chapters for the Fuller Center, called Covenant Partners, on a rehabilitation project in the community. Fields said they have done everything from building handicapped ramps to landscaping to flooring, and even a one-day flip on a house.
“This year, we have two routes going across the country,” Fields explained. “Any bike rider can do it! The biggest way we get riders is people looking online for a cross-country bike ride. We want to find people who will become partners and ride with us.”
Fields in an intern from Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. She started her internship in San Diego on May 31 and continued to the end of August. She is part of the support team, riding in cars ahead of the riders to establish safety checks and rest stops.
“We carry water, Gatorade, fruit, anything that helps the riders,” she explained. “We have first aid kits, but everyone mostly fends for themselves. We haven’t had any injuries.”
Fields describes the Fuller Bike Adventure as a chance to give back to the community and ride a bike.
“We come to towns who have never heard of us,” she said. “But they get a chance to help us and learn how to support other people in their communities. In this crazy world, despite our differences, a lot of people are willing to go above and beyond to help strangers.”
The goal for the Fuller Center is for the rides to raise $400,000. With two rides left, they are already at $300,000. Donations can be made at the center’s website.
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