Cyclists Crossing Alabama
Monday, May 6, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lisa Pierce, (334) 501-4276 or cycle@arm-al.org
Cyclists Cross State to Raise Funds for Home Repairs
OPELIKA – Monday, May 6, 2013 – During the weekend Friday, May 3, through Sunday, May 5, six cyclists crossed Alabama to raise awareness about the housing needs in some of the poorest areas of our country, while raising money for home repairs in Lee, Macon and Sumter counties.
The Fourth Annual Cycle of Service benefitted Alabama Rural Ministry (ARM), a home-repair ministry based in Opelika. Most of the families ARM serves are elderly, disabled or single parents who live on limited or fixed incomes, said Lisa Pierce, ARM’s executive director. ARM also hosts two free summer day camps for underserved children in Livingston and Tuskegee. The work is accomplished by hosting volunteers, mainly youth, at two summer mission camp locations in Alabama; Livingston and Tuskegee.
So far the team has raised over $10,250. The ride was very tough this year. On the first day the riders cycled from Livingston to Cuba, AL to the state line and then cycled back to Selma; a total of 105 miles. An unusual east wind gusted across the state making the ride grueling and progress slow. The average wind speed against the riders was 13mph! The following day the riders beat the rain but the temperature was unseasonably cold requiring winter riding gear. Although the day's route was ninety miles, most of the cyclists tacked on an additional ten miles upon entering Tuskegee in order to accomplish two century rides in two days (100 mile rides)." I admire their passion and dedication to raise funds for families in our rural communities who are under-resourced and under-served" says Lisa Pierce, founder and director of ARM.
Riders from the Auburn/Opelika area included Mr. Keith Foster, Mr. John Stephenson, Mr. Scott Middleton, Mrs. Jennifer Chambliss, and LTC Lisa Pierce who is the director of ARM. Major David Dykema joined us and lives in Huntsville. We are grateful to churches, businesses, and the National Guard for supporting our ride!
To see pictures of the ride or to donate towards our effort go to http://cycleofservice.arm-al.org or www.facebook.com/Bikebama