Cheers Greet Cross Country Bikers as Journey Ends
Through nine states and 25 cities, through blistering heat, torrential downpours and rough roads, 11 women pedaled 1,500 miles along the east coast for four weeks. Their goal: to raise awareness for special-needs children.
On Sunday, July 28, cheers erupted at Friendship Circle of the Upper West Side, located at 166 W. 97th St. in Manhattan, as the tired but accomplished looking women pedaled into the crowd amid applause and confetti.
The trek began on June 30 at the Friendship Circle of Miami, where Pinecrest Mayor Cindy Lerner cut the ribbon and the bikers took off in the first-ever women’s Bike 4 Friendship, a cycling trip to promote Friendship Circle’s mission. A proclamation from the mayor dubbed June 30 “Bike 4 Friendship Day.”
The international organization joins young volunteers with special-needs children, teens and young adults.
“The cyclists through this trip realize what potential they have and that’s what Friendship Circle is about,” said trip director Mendel Groner. “It’s about bringing out the potential each child with special needs has to affect the world in a positive way.”
For four weeks, they rode for five to seven hours a day. At night, they slept at Chabad Houses and motels. A yellow Penske truck decked out in Friendship Circle stickers carried suitcases, Kosher food and a support staff for the riders.
Photos by Levi Teitlebaum
Gisele Bündchen
Go Chaya G….
A shame
If only they could have fundraised for a flight instead, it would of not taken that long to get to NY, I just flew recently from Miami to NY and ticket prices were not that bad.
John
Wow it looks like the biker from the first time is the friendship circle mascot. He is everywhere! Good for him, he is an inspiration!
Just don't get it...
Is this Chabad/shlichus?
Awesomeness
RASSYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Lets try again.....
This event looks amazing and honestly I got a bit teary eyed for these girls and their huge triumph, but doesn’t anyone else notice anything missing here????? How about people with different abilities. I see a lot of people celebrating that these girls rode miles and miles spreading awareness for special needs yet not one person with different abilities participated in the race, or it looks like from these pictures, joined in on the celebrations. I hate to be a Debbie downer but riding on bikes with shirts and a truck that says Friendship circle does not create awareness. What creates awareness is seeing people with different abilities conquer the stereo types placed in front of them and achieving great things. I would love to see a young woman with Down syndrome participate in this, and I’m not talking about a few blocks on an adapted bike for picture ops. But an actual athlete with different abilities. I mean shoot a young man with Down syndrome just climbed Mt. Everest . I’m sure crossing a few state lines on a bike would be nothing to him. Lets really take things a step further Friendship Circle, because awareness of people with special needs is something we are all aware of , but to accept and value someone with different abilities as a contributing member of society, is a whole new ballgame.
Great Dane
Great to see cycling promoted to our women!
Mendel
its a must to have avahas yisrole,and its a big big mitzvah to help and raise money for such a imported cause and thank you for your great and important work.
However,
we must learn the rebbe sichas and be connect,
so that we DO what he wants, but in the Right way.
may you have a lot of hatlocha in your shilchus,
but please remember that where shilchum of a great rebbe and we must have highest standards.
may you and all shiluchim keep up the great work.
may we merit to see our rebbe now.
sincerely
Mendel
Sheina G
CHAYA ABENSON!!!
your such an inspiration to me! I am so proud of you that you did it :) you have amazing willpower its unbelievable!!
xox
J hammerschmidt
Wow its just like the first trip of bikers who biked america.. although i don’t see the techman
Agree with six
Agree with #6