Biking for ERD

New Jersey parish hosts Brake the Hunger Cycle tour

By Sondra Odian, August 14, 2008 [Episcopal Life] They came wearing bright, fluorescent-lime and neon-orange Spandex; they came in their everyday jeans. They came with their high-tech bicycles and their tandem bikes. They even came on their tricycles.

They came to enjoy a pleasant ride — and, more importantly, to make a difference. And thanks to these participants in the Brake the Hunger Cycle Tour, Episcopal Relief and Development received $8,000 for its efforts to help achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Parishioners at St. David's Episcopal Church in Kinnelon, New Jersey, recently took to heart the call of the last two General Conventions, when the Episcopal Church committed to supporting the MDGs. Leaders of 191 nations developed these goals to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger in the world by 2015.

Building on the scenic beauty of Morris County and the great popularity of biking in the area, St. David's launched a bike tour to support the MDGs that captured the imagination and interest of many local community groups. Local businesses offered sponsorships and supplies, while individuals and groups such as the Girl Scouts offered their services. Diocese of Newark Bishop Mark Beckwith served as honorary chair, and Mayor Glenn Sisco and the Town Council of Kinnelon issued a proclamation supporting the event.

Eighty-seven riders participated in four biking routes. Support vehicles, bike technicians and rest areas with food and drink were available to riders at four rest areas.

Each rider received a T-shirt specially designed by St. David's Artist-in-Residence Judy Tattersall. Upon returning to St. David's at the end of their tours, riders were greeted with live music and an old-fashioned family-style picnic barbecue.

St. David's has committed to repeating the event annually until 2015, with the goal of raising $100,000.

Fulfilling the MDGs would mean lifting 500 million people out of poverty. More than 300 million would no longer suffer from hunger. Child health would improve, saving the lives of more than 30 million children younger than 5.

To learn more about St. David's, visit the parish website.

-- Sondra Odian chairs St. David's communications team.

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