500-Mile Ride for Runaways

A colleague of mine told me about this 500-mile bicycle ride that supports Anchor House - a shelter for runaway and abused children in Trenton, New Jersey. What a great story and an incredible cause. Read more from Wendy Post [Owegopennysaver.com]:

On July 14, close to 200 bicyclists participating in the annual "Ride for Runaways" made a stop on their 500 mile trek in Owego, N.Y.

The annual ride is held in support of Anchor House, a shelter based out of Trenton, N.J. for runaway and/or abused teenagers. According to the foundation president, Bill Hogan, the ride is a fundraiser for the services they provide, and the 500 mile route is planned to run through different checkpoints each year.

This year's seven day / 500 mile ride began on July 12 out of Oswego, N.Y., and then traveled to points at Geneva, N.Y., Ithaca, N.Y., Owego, N.Y., Clark Summit, Pa., E. Stroudsburg, Pa., Clinton, N.J., and the final destination at Trenton, N.J. with an anticipated arrival date of July 18.

The ride, which usually requires months of training by participants, raises money to support the children that receive services through the shelter.

"When the going gets rough, remember what you're doing it for," said Hogan. He also noted that the ride, which is now in its 31st year, helps the shelter balance their budget.

Each participant is required to raise a minimum of $750 to participate in the ride. And dependent on the number of riders, the event, according to Hogan, usually brings in between $300,000 to as much of $450,000 each year.

But this year's weather, combined with the economy, made the ride a bit more challenging for participants, and Hogan also feels that the numbers might be a bit lower because of it.

"We go to the churches first to raise money, and then we go outside to gain donations," he added. "If the money raised so far from the churches is used as a barometer, we may not do as well."

According to the office of the New Jersey State Climatologist at Rutgers University, June was considered the sixth wettest June since 1895, with New Jersey rainfall averaging almost seven inches this year.

Because most of the riders train prior to the 500-mile trek, the rain created difficulties, and some riders dropped out of the ride. But for bicyclists Steve Czelusniak and Father Mike Burns, the weather didn’t stop them from participating.

Steve has participated for 17 years in the annual ride, Father Burns for 14. As a father of two young girls and a Lacrosse coach, 53 year old Czelusniak began preparing for the ride in May.

Father Mike Burns, who serves as a priest at St. Mary’s in Bordentown, N.J., also began training in May. Father Burns has seen many of the youth assisted through Anchor House at his church, and holds the annual fundraiser close to his heart.

Raising approximately $5,000 each year for the ride, Burns, at the age of 61, appreciates the challenge each year and enjoys the ride.

The most difficult part, they both agreed, is the fact that they ride for seven consecutive days. "It’s the cumulative effect that challenges you," said Burns.

A truck carrying all of their luggage follows them along their trek, and it is self paced, allowing bicyclists to take their time and stop when needed, with all riders gathering at a stopping point by the end of the day. When 6 a.m. arrives, the riders get back on their bikes and begin riding to their next checkpoint.

And, according to the ride coordinator, Kathy Drulis, different stops are selected each year. "We change the route each year," said Drulis. "Owego was one of the stops we selected on the route for this year.

Participant Jim Summner, of Lawrenceville, N.J., spends his vacation time participating in the ride. "For most of us, this is our vacation," said Summner.

Summner is in his fifth year of participating, and noted that it’s all about the kids.

Riding in the group was Bill Garrett, who is originally from Owego and now living in New Jersey. Garrett was able to visit family during the stop in Owego. Garrett is an avid cyclist who participated in the Orient Express ride in 2008, and did the Odyssey 2000, a ride around the world. For Garrett, the 500 mile trek was like a short ride to his hometown for a visit.

To learn more about the ride, or about the services at Anchor House, visit www.anchorhousenj.org.