Bicyclists Take to the Road for a Good Cause

Bicyclists of all ages took to the roads at the inaugural “Let Me Go” Charity Bike Ride April 2 at the Bob Rodale Cycling and Fitness Park in Trexlertown.

Frye left the Florida Keys Feb. 23 and expects to reach the North Slope of Alaska in August.

On his way to the Arctic Circle, he cycled through this area to ride in the St. Luke’s event, sign some autographs and give a brief talk.

During his talk, Frye recounted how St. Luke's Hospice in Lower Saucon Township cared for his dying mother several years ago.

“St. Luke’s Hospice Care didn’t just care for my mom while she was dying; they nursed a whole family back to living,” he said.

After his mother passed away from a brain tumor, Frye decided he wanted to raise awareness about the benefits of hospice care, and founded the “Let Me Go: One Bike, One Cause, 7,500 miles” bicycle ride in order to do that. With the addition of some stops at hospices in Canada, Frye’s trip has been extended another 700 miles.

“I have my work cut out for me,” Frye said. “This six months is about how much life you can live, about how many people you can affect.”

Frye chose a six-month long, bicycle trip because that is how long Medicare and Medicaid will cover a person’s stay in hospice care, whether at home or in a hospice house.

Homecare nurse Billie Zdrojesky said that nationwide hospice houses are few, but provide a great service for families whose loved one needs regular nursing care. Most hospice care is provided by visiting nurses who assist family members in their care of a loved one.

“A hospice house is such an enormous advantage to the community,” Zdrojesky said.

Unfortunately, too many hospice houses have turned out to be money-losing ventures, she said. This is why there are so few of them.

Lindsey Rich, community liason for St. Luke’s Visiting Nurses Association, said about 150 people signed up to participate in the "Let Me Go" Charity Bike Ride in Trexlertown.

Registration fees ranged from $35 to $55, depending on route length. Early bird registrants received a discount, and bicyclists could choose to pedal 11 miles, 25 miles or 62 miles. Children could choose to bike the Ryan’s Tree Ride along a paved, tree-lined path, she said.

“I’m very happy to have 150 people out here,” Rich said. “We’re building awareness of our program. I hope the event continues to be annual.”

Keith Boroch, president of the Visiting Nurses Association of St. Luke’s, said, “We really need, and really rely on our volunteers.”

Hospice volunteers help in various ways. Some help at events, while others will sit with patients, or visit families so that caregivers can step out and get a break, Boroch said.

Frye said hospice care started with volunteerism in 1970. Within 10 years, it grew to the point that in 1983, the care was covered under the Medical Reimbursement Act, he said.  

“That shows how much difference one life can make, when they decide to make a life of service,” Frye said.

Frye can be followed on his ride on both his Twitter page and his blog.