Underground RR by bike
I saw this article on NPR Biking the Trail of the Underground Railroad by Allison Keyes and found it to be really fascinating. I live in San Francisco - a very bike friendly city, but it was not until recently that I started reflecting what it really means to see the world from a bicycle. I have a co-worker who cycles regularly and brings a small digital camera with him on his rides. It is amazing to hear about his weekend rides to places that I whiz by on the freeway and then see his photos of what he found along the way - sights much more beautiful then the Shell signs and fast food billboards lining the freeway. This article on NPR.org discusses a bicycle trip from Mobile, Alabama to Ontario, Canada that follows the route of the Underground Railroad. These riders are amazing, both physically (I would not make it out of Mobile’s city limits) and emotionally for taking a journal that far too many took before.
May 24th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Biking is truly a blissful experience when you don’t have to worry about bad drivers. I used to bicycle around golden gate park on Sundays (closed to cars) and enjoyed the scenery from the road. It definitely is a different viewpoint when you are so used to going down that path in a car!
June 7th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
Yes, Adventure Cycling Association inaugural Underground Railroad was truly a life changing experience. I have traveled across the country three directions, North to South, East to West (2006 TransAm), and now North to South (UGRR). None of my earlier trips created the attention of the UGRR. We continued to receive an amazing amount of hospitality from Mobile, Alabama to Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada.
We began the trip as a historical trip honoring the bravery of the people escaping the horrors of slavery and the people who were willing to risk everything they posses to help. The other motive of the UGRR was to raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity, especially in minorities.
We learned of the struggles of those involved on the UGRR Pre-Civil War. We learned how once the escaped slave reach free land, they still had struggles to find their place in society. Even though they were labeled as free, many were treated as second class citizens.
What I learned on the UGRR, was the love required to risk everything to help people we do not know. Next, the health issues of the minorities is shared by all citizens in the USA; Black, White, Asian and Native Americans.
I believe the Partnership that created the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route between Adventure Cycling Association and University of Pittsburgh Center for Minority Health has created a ripple that will benefit us for many years to come.
Cycling is a great way to experience the wonders of America!