Boise, Idaho News, Weather and Traffic - KTRV Fox 12 - Sea to Sea Bike Tour
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Boise -- By now you've probably seen the many tents camped out at Timberline High school and if you're wondering who they are, they're the largest group to ever ride across the United States and they're riding to help end the cycle of poverty. But what may surprise you, is how exactly they're raising over a million dollars.
"The reason why we need to help is because we've been blessed and I believe it's our responsibility to help," said cyclist Lynn Verros.
She is just one of 221 strangers that took nine weeks out of their lives to bike across the U.S. from Seattle to New Jersey...3,881 miles.
"When you're on the road you know you can cycle up to someone you strike up a conversation and it's amazing how well you get to know one another," said Verros.
They call themselves the sea to sea bike tour and they're not just biking for fun...but to make a serious change around the world.
"We do this in order to raise awareness of the tremendous poverty in the world so we not only donate our own money but try to get the word out," said Head Chaplain Len Riemersma.
It's been a year in the works not only to plan out the trip, but each cyclist is responsible for raising $10,000 on their own.
"Most of them have been very successful because the adventure is so huge and so exciting but also because all the money goes towards the poor because the actual trip itself is underwritten by corporate sponsors," said Riemersma.
21 year old Eric Stehouwer from Michigan came with his brother and dad bringing with them $30,000.
"We made home-made t-shirts with the sea to sea logo, did benefit concerts, talked to friends and family at college hosted some dinners just any creative way we could think of, sold wristbands, t-shirts, yeah," said Stehouwer.
So far the group has raised 1.5 of the 1.6 million dollar goal, and more funds are still coming in. The money will be going to disaster relief, world missions, and the Christian partnership, an organization helping businesses get off the ground in impoverished countries.
"Each of us we need to do our part, helping reach out to eachother, yeah, live as Jesus would, love your neighbor as yourself."
