Cyclists converge for energy awareness

Snake attacks, floodwaters, exhaustion and saddle sores could not keep Lucy Richards and Keally Cieslik from cycling to Carbondale to begin their trek across the nation.

Cieslik, 19, from Madison, Wis., and Richards, 19, from Durango, Colo., cycled from their respective homes to meet in Carbondale during the weekend to promote "The Trek to Re-energize America."

"The Trek" is a grassroots movement in the form of a bike trip to Washington D.C., scheduled to happen during the summer of 2009. The goal of the group is to urge legislatures to make decisions to change the way Americans live.

"It's not about polar bears and penguins. It's about people," Richards said.

The pair is trying to cycle to as many college campuses as possible to spread awareness as to why climate change affects people and why they should get involved. While in Carbondale, the pair worked with the cycling club and participated in the Critical Mass bike ride Friday to create community awareness.

Cyclists Matt Coleman, a senior from Chicago studying computer engineering, and Mike Walker, a junior from Pekin studying architecture, were not sure if they would make the trek next summer but wanted to participate while the pair was in Carbondale.

In Walker's area of study, the theme of thinking green is prevalent. He said he is encouraged to use environmentally friendly materials while designing.

"We do need to think more green to be more sustainable as a society," Walker said.

Coleman said he hoped people would get involved with the cause while the pair travels to different campuses.

The trip to converge at the Carbondale campus was not easy for either woman.

Richards spent three and a half weeks cycling alone on the TransAmerica Trail to meet Cieslik. She said trying to find safe places to stay and not having to spend any money made every night an adventure.

She said she was nearly overtaken by floodwaters depth and attacked by a cottonmouth snake. As if the ride were not difficult enough, she said it was rough sleeping in public restrooms, parks and churches.

Cieslik said she began her journey with her mother, but on the third day her mother fell from her bike and fractured two ribs. The injury was not a deterrent for her mother, who continued to travel with her daughter to Carbondale by car.

"It was slightly insane in retrospect, but totally worth it," Richards said.

Morgan Hottes can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 270 or mhottes@siu.edu.