July 6th - July 9th - Jeimy - Hilliaard YMCA

Hilliard, OH to Oberlin, OH

Today we rode about 60 miles to another YMCA. It was a long ride but afterwards the boys still had enough energy to play basketball, so we played a few games. After being at the YMCA for a few hours Rich (Giorgi) came. It was nice to see him. Rich is da man! He brought us "I love NY"  T-shirts and power bars. I thought that was really nice  of him to do. Later that night we ate subway for dinner. The next morning we woke up and did a few bike repairs. After the repairs were complete we got on the road to go to a campsite. 

 This was Rich's first ride with us. He did pretty good and kept a good pace. When we got to the campsite there wasn't much to do so we all just took it easy and relaxed for the night. The next morning we woke up early as usual and began to ride.  During the ride we got caught in a huge rain storm. We waited until the rain passed before we left to ride again. After going down the road, which was a bit wet, we got caught in another rain storm, but it was quick so we kept riding. We finally made it to our destination  in Oberlin Ohio. We ate Mexican food and went to watch a theatrical performance of raisin in the sun. It was a great performance and we met one of the lead actress. We talked to her and took pictures.


Jeimy 

Spoke 'n Revolutions Youth Cycling UGRR Tour 2011 ~ Visit the nation's National Parks. 

 Let's Move Outside!

July 3 - Chris - Covington, KY

Today we were in Covington, Kentucky. We started off riding about fifteen miles, then crossed the bridge into Ohio, and then we had breakfast. The most important meal of the day! 

After eating breakfast, we went down the road and went into a construction zone with a lot less traffic. Kevin thought that would be a lot safer but it turns out that the road was filled with huge pot holes and cracks in the concrete. Most of the group got flat tires. We had 9 flat tires total.  Itza, Marshall and Ibn were the only ones able to continue. That night we stayed in a hotel. The kids all went out together and ate dinner without the adults. We all had fun it was  good night out.

Chris 

Spoke 'n Revolutions Youth Cycling UGRR Tour 2011 ~ Visit the nation's National Parks. 

 Let's Move Outside!

July 9 Kyvon - Oberlin, OH

We spent the entire day in Oberlin, OH. While there, we took a tour of the town with the local historian. We toured for so long, we didn't even get to ride. When the tour was over, we all went back to Dr.Cousin's home - which was originally the home of John Mercer Langston and now a historic landmark. We relaxed for the rest of the day, and played a couple of games. After we finished with that, we all ate pizza, and then we took our new friend Julia Robertson back home. 

Spoke 'n Revolutions Youth Cycling UGRR Tour 2011 ~ Visit the nation's National Parks. 

 Let's Move Outside!

July 15 Mahlique - last day Niagara Falls

Today was the very last day Spoke 'n Rev would hit the saddle. I believe it was with a sad feeling for all of us that we would be leaving the next day to head back. It all seemed so surreal to me. I had just finished the Underground Railroad tour on the seat of a bike. A feat not many people can say they have done; let alone by high school students. Anyway, we made it to Niagara Falls and it was one of the most magnificent sites I have ever got to see in my short life. As a bonus I also got to see a part of Ontario!

When we saw the Falls we got to ride the boat that took you out to the base of the falls - The Maid of the Mist. To me the bike trip to get here was worth every hardship we encountered. Now I have a great story to tell my children and my grandchildren.

After the falls we got in the van and headed off back to North Carolina. For dinner we ate burgers & shakes; and let me tell you that the food was superb! After dinner we headed down the road till we found a hotel to stay in for the night. And that is how my last day of the tour went. It was one of the best feelings to know that I am one of the only teenagers to have completed the Underground Railroad route. I offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped Spoke 'n Rev get to where we are and allowed us to complete this tour.

SnR UGRR Tour 2011 ~ July 15 Ride Day 30

As Promised, Niagara Falls, NY

I awoke first again, almost for the last time of this tour. I'm sure I'll awake first Saturday morning, as well.  I walked through the wonderfully creaky and beautifully spacious home of David and Molly and set myself up to blog.

It wasn't long before Rich was up to join me. After a few pleasantries and light conversation we were nose deep in our work. Rich doing his thing and I, mine.  Shortly after, Bob arrived and talk of the day's events, politics, religion, and "Sarah Bachman" were in full swing.

The 30 min Goodbye

It wasn't long before bets were laid as to when we would actually be ready to leave our gracious hosts and head to Niagara Falls. It was now 08:30am. Bob placed the time at around 10:30am, I said 10 and Rich gave no opinion. Later, Bob modified his guess to 11:00. We actually left at 11:30.

The flipped egg breakfast was cooked up by Rich and garnished by Molly with  fixins of craisins, walnuts, english muffins, butter, cream cheese, donuts(?), juice, water, milk and of course, Quaker Oatmeal. The breakfast was comparable to, if not better than, any hotel restaurant could have provided. As a matter of fact, come to think about it ( I said it before to someone else along the route) we pretty much had a Bed and Breakfast Tour almost every day of this tour. As for the food, it was delicious.

It is now 11:00. We are outside gathering our bikes together and mapping the route to Niagara Falls. There's supposed to be a route that we can take that is pure bike path. Bob didn't think it was possibleand chose not to lead the ride for the first time. So, for this day Rich lead the team and I brought up the rear. We were using Google Maps to get us there. No tried and true Adventure Cycling maps were available.

The bike path was nice. It rode along the water and gave astounding marina views. We were having a great time enjoying the comfortable ride with even pavement and nothing to worry about but other cyclists also enjoying themselves.

It wasn't long before Kyvon ran off the path. We giggled as this has become a staple in the rides. His falling off his bike is like the sun rising in the morning. You know its going to happen even if you don't always know exactly when.  Five minutes later he was flying over his handlebars because his foot became stuck in his front wheel spokes while trying to fit his foot into his pedal stirrup.  We all rushed to his aid to ensure he was alright; he was. With that relief laughter rose from everyone; Kyvon included as he explained what occurred.

The boys who were lagging behind sped ahead as Rich suggested that they take the lead. They were confident that the ride would be all bike path so they zoomed ahead only to return a short while later to inform us that the bike path would end a few hundreds yards up. Now, we had to double back.

We went back far enough to see where we should have made a right turn. This took us off the bike path and onto the surface streets of bicycle friendly Buffalo. Soon we found ourselves winding our way around people, sidewalks and trolley cars until we got back to the Marina. There the bike path picked up again and we thought we were home free. But that ended, too.

Back on surface streets we road the sidewalks of Buffalo and Takawanna. By the time we checked the GPS we realized that we were still 20 miles (by bicycle) away from Niagara Falls; not even approaching Grand Isle, yet. We've already been on the road for 2 hrs. This was turning into another LONG day.  We pressed on. This was not turning out to be the Grand Finale of the tour due to the mishaps we were having. As we moved forward as a group word came that Kyvon had fallen behind and Chris was with him. As I doubled Chris told me that Kyvon's spokes had broken.  After inspecting the damage I assessed that there were three spokes broken and one bent. He could not continue with this amount of damage.

After calling Suepinda to come pick us up I asked how did Kyvon's spokes become broken. Chris confessed that his pedal touched Kyvon's back wheel breaking the spokes.

After Suepinda arrived we packed the van and headed into the Falls by car. Not as momentous as we would have liked but arriving in Niagara Falls, nonetheless.  As I stayed in the van working and watching the bikes the Youth Cyclists had a fantastic time at the Falls. The took the tour of the Maid of the Mist and enjoyed EVERY dripping moist moment of it. The collected souvenirs and came back to tell me of the joys they had.

Leaving Niagara we went to eat at Cheeburger, Cheeburger. You guessed it, a burger restaurant.  Everyone had a great dinner and finished it off with a delicious shake that had 1001 combinations!

With everyone fed we moved on down the road to get as far as we can before taking in a hotel/motel for the evening. As I type it is 2:30am and we are bedded down in the Days Motel in Meadville, PA. I'm done for the day/night.  I think I've finally caught up to this blogging thing.

Thanks to the National Park Service for assisting us in making this happen. Our wonderful and many donors who gave generously and from the heart. We are forever grateful to you. Thank you to the webosphere and families for your support, comments and following us on this magically adventurous trek through middle America. An America they refuse to show us on the ID 10-T box. Your America. My America. And the wonderful, kind and giving people in the stretch of land that has been labeled the Underground Railroad.

Spoke 'n Revolutions Youth Cycling UGRR Tour 2011 ~ Visit the nation's National Parks. 

 Let's Move Outside!

July 15 - Houston - Niagara Falls, NY

At long last, today we completed our journey and made it to Niagara Falls, NY.

The falls were one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my entire life, they are tremendous and the water looks clean and swimmable. I have never seen a waterfall that enormous before and seeing this for the first time is awe inspiring. The state park revolves completely around the falls so you can see them the entire time from all sorts of angles. We also went on the boat tour called Maid of the Mist which took us right next to the falls. The mist from the falls was everywhere and because of this there was a rainbow next to the falls. Seeing these falls means a lot to me, not just their majesty but their historical meaning.

To me it symbolizes freedom and accomplishment. People on the Underground Railroad worked tirelessly to get to these falls and for me to be here after traveling the Underground Railroad myself is so rewarding. I could not think of a better way to end this trip.

Spoke 'n Revolutions Youth Cycling UGRR Tour 2011 ~ Visit the nation's National Parks. 

 Let's Move Outside!

June 29 - Marshall - Corydon, IN

Today was Mahlique's 17th birthday, which was only five days after Houston's, but to me it felt like our night at that Kentucky campground was months ago. Now we are in Indiana, the birthplace of both Suepinda and Mahlique; and as a special treat their family and Suepindas other three children drove down to Corydon to greet us. And as an additional treat "Yai" (Mahlique's grandmother) brought homemade Thai food. And this food was delicious. My mom is in love with Thai food, so I'm no stranger to pad thai and yellow curry, but these homemade dishes were the best I've ever had in my life. And probably the first time I ate "real" Thai food and not an American spin off. Needless to say I consumed five full plates, and by full I mean the food was about to fall off the plate. The food was great but the best part of the day was the look on mahlique's, Suependa's, and Kevin's faces as they were reunited with their family. Getting up and biking everyday is difficult both mentally and physically. Having a strong family to support you is that one factor that makes you keep going.

July 15 Chris - Niagara Falls

We finally made it. It took 32 days and countless amounts of pedaling, but we did it. We made it through everything and got to Niagara. We were looking across the falls at the place where enslaved people traveled hundreds of miles on foot to freedom. Some of our ancestors took on the challenges of traveling the UGRR so they could make a better life for themselves and the families. Present and future. I wish I could go back in time and thank them, but I can't so hopefully I'm honoring them and making them proud by being one of the first youths to cycle the trail they walked. At the moment when we reached the falls I felt so proud of myself, and also my SnR family. We made it together.

It was a tough journey but I'm glad I had the opportunity to do it with such a great group of friends.

SnR UGRR Tour 2011 ~ July 13 Ride Day 28

Leaving Sara's Campground.

I awoke to a beautiful sunrise on the lake.

Blogged a little until my battery ran down (there's no quick access to power on the beach) and awoke the Youth Cyclists at 7am. 

Breakfast was of champions (because our cyclists are champs) but the fear of birds and their droppings ruled the morning. While getting ready for the day we fixed other cyclists' bikes (a ReCYCLEry Mobile Repair Day). To show their gratitude they rode with us to the top of the hill outside the camp.

The ride was (another word for great) and 68*-73* . Fantastic! We crossed the New York state line today.

After I got in the van to start work the riders continued on. Bob moved at a comfortable 16 mph pace but even at that speed one delay puts you 1/4 mile behind. Soon, he was far ahead but the group continued on at their comfortable pace.  Suepinda, Ibn and I headed to the campground. We passed Bob waiting patiently for the rest of the group. While waiting, he attended a vintage car show and saw many cars.  He was in Bob heaven.

Last night was COLD. 

Spoke 'n Revolutions Youth Cycling UGRR Tour 2011 ~ Visit the nation's National Parks. 

 Let's Move Outside!

July 15,2011 - Jeimy- Buffalo, NY

WE MADE IT!  After a month of cycling from Mobile, Alabama to Buffalo, New York we finally reached Niagara Falls!

I still can't believe we did it. We might have complained now and then and maybe there were times that we wanted to stop but no matter what we kept going. Every single one of us worked as a group and helped each other make it this far.

Well today was just amazing. After getting lost in the morning we reached Niagara Falls. This was my first time being here and it was beautiful. We took a couple of pictures then made our way down to the boat the Maid of the Mist. We all got blue ponchos as we stepped into the boat. We got a chance to ride really close to the falls and feel the mist. It was awesome. When I looked around each and everyone of us were proud to have made it all this way to freedom. We took several pictures to capture this moment and of course had our proud moment were we went around giving each other a "we made it!" hug.

Afterwards we made ourselves comfortable by moving and adjusting sleeping bags, blankets, pillows and soft luggage in the van because it was time on the road to get home. For dinner we stopped at Cheeburger, Cheeburger where we got some good burgers and milkshakes.


Overall this was truly one of the most amazing days of the tour. We made it and I am pretty sure we are the first group of youth cyclist to have actually finished it and we couldn't have done this without the conductors who helped us along the way. So, thank you all for letting us have this adventure. Without you in the cities, in the towns, in the offices, in the homes and randomly on the street working with us, donating to us, accommodating us, educating us, speaking with us and cheering us on, this would have been a difficult tour to complete. You helped make this special.

Jeimy

Spoke 'n Revolutions Youth Cycling UGRR Tour 2011 ~ Visit the nation's National Parks. 

 Let's Move Outside!

July 14 - Kyvon - Buffalo, NY

 July 14 kyvon

Today was supposed to be the first of two short ride days, but something happened, and the ride went from 25 miles to 41 miles. None of us know how this ride to Buffalo became so long. This was the first and only ride that we have done where we had no breaks. Everyone did extremely well on the ride, and we all made it to Buffalo safely.

When we arrived, we pulled up to Michigan Street Baptist Church that has historical meaning to the Underground Railroad. We all stopped to meet a man named Kevin Cottrell, who gave us the background of the church and a small tour around the city. When we were finished with the tour, we went to meet with David and Molly, our hosts for the night. We settled in, watched a movie and fell asleep, because we all wanted to be rested for the last day.