News you can use from the world of bicycle travel by Michael McCoy Byrne’s a ON A MISSION Writer — These pedaling pastors practice what they preach and a Rider I’ve been a David Byrne fan Last summer, a trio of since I was a teenager, which Lutheran ministers from West is when I first heard “Take Me Virginia, all on one bicycle to the River” by the Talking — a very long Calfee Design Heads, and my admiration grew triplet made of bamboo — when I had one of the best bicycled a circuitous route cinema experiences of my life from Chicago to Minneapolis. at Stop Making Sense. Hearing WayPoints And we do mean circuitous: Everything That Happens Will Rev. Dr. Fred A. Saltow Jr. of Happen Today, his 2008 musi- Shepherdstown, Rev. David cal collaboration with Brian A. Twedt of Wardensville, Eno, had recently rekindled my DANCING and Rev. Ron Schlak of interest in Byrne, and then I THEIR WAY Charleston, traveled from the received a press release from Windy City to Minnesota’s Viking asking if I’d like to see UNDER- of their ride was “Tour de ible journey (our average age metropolis by way of Florida, an advanced copy of Byrne’s Revs 2009: 3 Guys, 1 Bike, is 60). The Tour de Revs was GROUND Alaska, and the Grand book, Bicycle Diaries. Not 100 Days, 13,000 Miles, 65 conceived five years ago and According to the St. Canyon (admittedly, their trip exactly a tough decision. Cities.” was given life in the summer Petersburg Times, a group of did involve some plane travel). When the book came in At their website, www. of 2007. [We] have been home-schooled 4-H members As they went, the clergy- the mail, I dived right in. In the tourderevs.org, the reverends colleagues and friends for are preparing for a big adven- men raised awareness and introduction, Byrne states that write, “We have over 70 fifteen years, and this ride has ture next year. “[They] plan money to combat hunger he used to ride bikes around years of successful leadership become a spiritual journey in to take their education a step through the auspices of the New York City at night, check- within the Church. Our com- the campaign against World further by riding the 2,000-mile Evangelical Lutheran Church ing out the music scene and mitment to wellness is what Hunger.” Underground Railroad Bicycle of America’s World Hunger attending interesting social allows us to make this incred- Route from Mobile, Alabama, program. The long name events in the city, because, “… to Owen Sound, Canada.” there is so much to see and writes reporter Eileen Schulte. hear in New York, and I discov- The students, who range FULL TILT ered zipping from one place to in age from 10 to 18, reside Cycling travelogue makes prestigious list of Top 20 travel books another by bike was amazingly in Florida roughly from Tarpon fast and efficient. So I stuck Springs south to Naples. Last September, The Times alights among is vibrant and with it, despite the aura of Here’s the twist: They’re danc- uncoolness and the danger, as ing to raise the money needed of London online ran a list appealing and makes her of “The Times’ 20 best travelogue unique. Venturing there weren’t many people rid- for the trip. Dubbing them- Curtis Corle w ing in the city back then.” Rock selves the Ballroom Bicycle travel books of the last cen- alone, accompanied only Harry Evageliou (center) with his son George and trip leader Tom Radley. tury.” Among them was a by her bicycle, which she on, David. I always knew rock Brigade, they’re performing the stars weren’t afraid of danger, tango, cha cha, and mambo for book first published in 1965 dubs ‘Roz the Indomitable,’ 2 x 50 entitled Full Tilt: Ireland Murphy … gleans consider- but being considered uncool? various community organiza- That could be the kiss of death. tions. Their involvement with A pair of riders, in separate efforts, cover the map by bike to with a Bicycle. able enjoyment in getting According to the story in to know peoples who were But not for Byrne. As the ballroom dancing stems from book unfolds, he reveals him- the fact that their 4-H leader, The Times, when the author, then even more remote than Coming to our attention condition,” he said. “Also, I Washington tour in July. Wrote self as anything but a cycling Gina Hunter, is an avid dancer. Dervla Murphy, was just they are now.” recently were instances of have always been interested the trip’s leader, Tom Radley: dilettante; he’s used his bike “The biking helps get you fit 10 years old, she received Finally, one private a pair of Adventure Cycling in the states, having visited “Harry set the goal 22 years for transportation in cites all for dancing,” 17-year-old Laura a bicycle and an atlas as reviewer at Amazon.com members completing their indi- them all before.” The century ago, and Washington was over the world, and he offers Williams told Shulte (and vice gifts. Almost immediately had these words of praise: vidual quests to bicycle in all rides took, on average, about his last remaining state. He some very interesting insights versa, we assume). she began mapping out “This book was written prior 50 states. eight hours for Al to complete, chose Cycle Washington to into the divergent ways differ- The seed for the ride idea her future solo adventure, to the ‘me’ decade and, First, 69-year-old Al Emma although one of them he fin- complete his goal (he had ent cultures value, and devalue, was planted when 14-year-old which she finally undertook while intensely personal, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, ished in just under six hours. “It previously been on Cycle Utah cycling. Dakota Hunter read Hey Mom, in 1963 at age 31. On it, lacks the self-preoccupation reached his goal of doing (at takes longer when I find some- with me). His son George, who If you’re a fan of David Can I Ride My Bike Across she repelled thieves and that more recent writers least) a 100-mile century ride one to talk to,” he says. “It’s is not normally a cyclist, joined Byrne, this book is must read, America? by John Seigel a would-be rapist, fell in practice. … The focus in all 50 states on July 18, fun when someone will listen his dad for the tour. George and if you’re not, check it out Boettner. The kids plan to love with , and remains on the journey, when he pedaled the One to my B.S.” is in his late twenties, so he anyway, especially if you’re a camp and/or stay at the homes suffered broken bones and travel writer Dervla Murphy. It which renders it excellent Helena Hundred in Cascade, The second 50-state rider was a little boy when his dad bicycle commuter. of members of various 4-H heatstroke. is the diary of her bicycle trek reading for all, not just bicy- Montana. Al began his quest is Harry Evageliou, a 27-year started his quest. Back then, For more information, visit groups along the way. They’ll In 1986, Publishers Weekly from Dunkirk, across Europe, clists.” in 2002 with a ride in , member from Coventry, George would put a marker us.penguingroup.com or call also earn high-school credits in had this to say about a sub- through and Afghanistan, For more information on Georgia. “I needed a chal- Connecticut, who bagged on the U.S. map when Harry (800) 847-5515. – MD American history, geography, sequent printing of the title: over the Himalayas to books by Murphy, check out lenge, one that would force his final state on Adventure returned home from a ride.” journalism, and photography. “Here is the first American and India. Murphy’s immediate www.bookfinder.com/author/ me to keep in fine physical Cycling’s aptly named Cycle appearance of a book by Irish rapport with the people she dervla-murphy.

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