Ohio cyclists travel Cowboy Trail

Cycling along the Cowboy Trail in the 105-degree heat requires faith for safe travels.

It also requires hope for a successful mission. It's definitely a labor of love and a means to do the Lord's work.

For a group of Ohio cyclists, who spent Aug. 21 in Ewing, it's all in a day's pedaling.

"Our group started in the late 1980s," said Dr. Ken Gifford, a retired pastor from Youngstown, Ohio.

Originally known as the Pedaling Parsons, the group was comprised of Methodist church pastors "who shared a passion for cycling, community and helping their vulnerable neighbors."

Since then, the Eastern Ohio- based group has expanded and includes laypeople and clergy of all ages, all focused on serving for the good of others and God.

"We raise money for various missions or organizations or situations that arise," Gifford said.

Cyclists in the group have traveled more than 18,000 miles, raising more than $900,000 for mission projects worldwide.

The organization endowed a scholarship at Africa University in Zimbabwe. Another time, they raised funds for a mission site in Liberia.

"Five or six of us went on the mission trip to Liberia," Gifford said. "If it's hot here now, then it was really hot in Liberia."During the 17-day trip, the group assisted at the Camphor mission site and purchased 16 bicycles, which were given to pastors to ride to the churches they served.

"Most of the roads in Liberia are not paved," Gifford said.

A year ago, they raised funds for a women's shelter.

"During the pandemic, domestic violence skyrocketed. People couldn't get out. We raised funds for a shelter for abused women and children," he said.

This year, Bike Hope Love is partnering with Church World Service, an interdenominational organization, to raise money for resettling Ukrainian and Afghan refugees.

Bike Hope Love sponsors trail rides, as well as road rides.

Gifford usually organizes trail rides. Group members have traversed the country over the years, venturing along the Delaware and Lehigh trails along the Potomac River, the Erie Canal trail from Niagara Falls to Albany, Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. trail known as the Great Allegheny Passage Trail and the Katy Trail, a 237-mile stretch across Missouri.

His wife, Becky, discovered the Cowboy Trail and suggested the group ride from Norfolk to Valentine.

"We were told it's flat," Gifford said. "It's not always flat. Beautiful state. Not as flat as we were told."

Since they started traveling, group members said they've experienced "Nebraska Nice."

"Everyone has been exceedingly hospitable. Even strangers have been wonderful," Gifford said.

Group members cycle between 40 and 60 miles a day. Along the way, they will stay at Methodist churches or other venues along the route.

Day 1 started in Norfolk and ended in Ewing, where riders spent the night in the Ewing United Methodist-Presbyterian Church.

On the second day, the group cycled to Atkinson and made it to Johnstown on Day 3. The final trek, into Valentine, was completed last Thursday.

In Ewing, congregation members provided spaces for showers and an evening meal.

"That's what we've had every step of the way," Gifford said.

Each rider pays their own way for the trip, which includes fuel for the support team and meals.

"One hundred percent of the money we raise goes toward the cause and that has always been the case," Gifford said.

Chuck Peal, a former pastor riding on the trip, said meals like the one served in Ewing are "fantastic."

"They make us feel good, both physically and spiritually. You feel good that there are people who care. There's so much negativity out there, we need to know there are people helping other people on a multitude of levels and a meal or putting us up for the night or the air conditioning is on, we appreciate it," Gifford said.

Once the group arrived in Valentine on Aug. 24, they showered, loaded the bicycles on the church bus - the ride's support vehicle - and started the journey home.

"We've had some wonderful experiences. I can't emphasize that enough. I think that's important for people to hear," Gifford said.