Top Ten Reasons to Bike Across America

About two years ago, hubby told me he planned to bike from Seattle to New York City in thirty days. I blinked. Nodded. And waited for the part where he laughed and said, “Kidding. April Fool’s.” But he didn’t. And ever since, he and his now team of five bikers have been training for the immense feat that will take place in July 2015.

Here are Ten Reasons They COULD be Biking Across the Country

1. To see the sights. From the mountains to the valleys, to the … you know the song. And even if there are stretches that blur by when coasting down hill, it would be an epic way to see a nice stretch of the beautiful United States of America. They could also sit in the window seat of an RV and roll across in style. Oh wait. That’s my job. I’m the SAG crew leader. Yikes!

2. To get in shape. Biking is truly a full body workout. When I bike, I feel it in my arms, abs, neck, back and of course, my legs. But they could just take a spin class at the local gym.

3. To Save Gas and promote clean air. In which case they could also walk. Or run. Or skateboard from ocean to ocean.

4. To become famous. Well if they were the first to do this epic journey, they might make the CNN evening headlines. But they are not the first. Nor will they be the last.

5. To trend a cool Hashtag. #c4c2015 or #cyclingforchange2014 or #cycling4change might just make the top ten tweets that month they trek along, mile after mile. Just remember not to text and pedal at the same time guys. Safety first.

6. To Upstage the #ALSicebucketchallenge. By having participants bike 100 feet while balancing a cupcake on their heads. Ummm…I’m not sure any idea can outdo what ALS accomplished this year. Kudos to a crazy idea going viral.

7. To look Cute in really cool Biking gear. This might be true if they were divas. But they’re not. They’re just a group of guys looking for a chance to do something A-Mazing while they still have their health. And Hubs, well, he’s kinda cute on or off his bike. Just sayin’. :)

8. To get Locust Valley on the map. Got news for you guys, a few have gone before you: like Brad Pitt when he filmed here. And Russell Crowe when his team of the movie Noah filmed at Planting Fields Arboretum. And of course, the Locust Valley High School Wrestling Team that placed Nationally last year!

9. To taste test and determine the best diet to bike across the country with. Gatorade or Powerade? Cliff Bars or Good ol’ Fashioned Granola? Peanut Butter and Nutella on bread or straight out of the jar? This could be kinda yum, actually.

10. For Fun. People still do that. A few here and a lot in other parts of the world. Take a month off of their jobs and regular routines and do something crazy and fun.

The REAL REASON the C4C2015 team is biking across the country?

To offer Hope. To Make A Difference.

I know what you’re thinking. Everyone says that. Maybe. But not everyone does it. And ask anyone.

Hope changes everything.

The C4C2015 team is raising awareness and funds to combat human trafficking and child poverty, working for two specific organizations that are out there on the front lines in these two battles. Nomi Network and World Vision. You can make a difference too. Check out their site, cheer them one, support the causes and let’s make a dent in Human Trafficking and Child Poverty. Together.

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Rajdeep Paulus is an Award-winning author of Swimming Through Clouds and Seeing Through Stones. Paulus studied English Lit at Northwestern and lives in Locust Valley with her Sunshine and four princesses.