Six students from Azusa Pacific University in Los Angeles, and Grand Rapids, Mich. cycled through Williston Wednesday afternoon.

They started in Anacortes, Wash. on June 16, since then they've biked over 1,282 miles (over 200 in the last two days). They plan to finish their ride in New York City sometime in August. The total length of the trip will be about 3,700 miles.

This journey isn't just some summertime amusement. These guys are riding to raise awareness and purchase bikes for the people of Rwanda. Their mission is a part of Project Rwanda.

"We're promoting tourism, trying to raise money for bikes and trying to promote the Rwandan national bicycling teams," said Kevin Cusack, the father of one of the riders who is temporarily riding with the group.

Event:

ATHENS ALLEYCAT RACE A race through the city-streets on a sunday afternoon with various checkpoints. A gathering of urban cyclists to exchange thoughts, ideas and experiences. To strengthen the ties between urban cyclists of Athens.

Date:

June 1st 2008

Registration Fee:

Every cyclist in order to participate is obliged to register.

BIKES-PEOPLE-COFFEE-HOPE

The Ride for Rwanda is a trans-continental bike ride taking place in the summer of 2008. Five riders: Alex Manion, C.J. Eckman, Leighton Cusack, Luke Tubergen and Greg Christian will be taking a route from Seattle, WA to New York, New York a 3,700 mile trip. The purpose of the ride is to raise awareness and funds for Project Rwanda.

The goal is to raise $40,000 for Project Rwanda. All donations are tax deductible.

View the route, read updates on their blog, and donate at www.TheRideForRwanda.org

Cheer them on as they pass through your town. If you would be willing to host them for a night please contact them through the website as they are currently planning the ride and logistics.

The headlines of Santa Barbara?s various papers have shed light on a variety of troubling issues in the past year. From school violence on State Street to genocide in Darfur, conflict has been both close to and far from home. As a kid in our town, it has become very easy to become disheartened by these news clippings. One has a feeling of helplessness, as if there is nothing that he or she can do to make a difference.

Yesterday at Goleta Beach, nearly 80 Santa Barbara Middle School students (joined by 50 community members) proved that kids can have an impact?even on the lives of those half a world away. These inspired youngsters hopped on their bikes for the 2nd Annual Ride 4 Rwanda, raising money for Project Rwanda, a non-profit dedicated to implementing the bicycle as a development tool and symbol of hope in one of Africa?s most troubled (yet hopeful) countries. The Project has designed, built, and distributed over 1,800 special ?coffee bikes? to Rwanda?s independent coffee farmers through a micro-loan system. These bikes have allowed the farmers to carry heavier loads of coffee beans faster, translating into direct increases in their incomes.

When: February 2, 2008

Where: Santa Barbara, CA

• 9:00 - Meet in the Goleta Beach parking lot for refreshments and registration.
• 10:00 - Roll out with Tom and the crew.
• 12:00 - Return to Goleta Beach.

You are invited! Raise awareness and funds to help get bikes and tools to those who need them the most. Last year, the 1st Annual Ride 4 Rwanda attracted over 100 riders in the pouring rain, and raised $4,000 for Project Rwanda. This year we are hoping to attract over 200 riders, rain or shine. Bring your family. Bring your friends. Make this more than just another Saturday ride.

Click Here for more information and Event Registration »

photos by Kennedy Photo Works

Jacob Seigel-Boettner joins the efforts of Project Rwanda by getting his community involved, first with a local fundraiser and now a bike workshop.

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