KELLY COLEMAN

On Saturday, April 18, 2015, Scott Alexander will embark on his fourth bicycle ride across this great country. Riding with the prevailing winds and as many as 25 other cyclists, Scott will dip the rear wheel of his bicycle into the Pacific Ocean at Costa Mesa, California where he will begin a 30 day, 3500 mile bike ride that will end in Amesbury Massachusetts on May 21^st.

This aggressive and challenging coast to coast bike tour for advanced cyclists will take the riders over some of the most beautiful and scenic areas in America as they average over 110 miles per day cycling through 14 states. But that is only one aspect of what is motivating Scott to embark on such an arduous and dedicated journey. Using his cycling skills and ability to see the country in such spectacular style is part of Scott’s mission to address local poverty – specifically, to fight hunger.

Cycling is a hobby that this Unitarian Universalist Reverend has used to raise over $75,000 to support various organizations over the years. This fundraising journey, called The Ride To Beat Hunger, is in support of the Harvest Food and Outreach Center in Vero Beach, an organization that works hard to feed the hungry here in Indian River County.

With a fundraising goal of $52,500 or 50 meals a mile, Scott’s dedication to the cause of helping to feed the hungry in Indian River County is unwavering, a cause that many of us in this community feel passionate about. “All of the money that we raise is going to stay right here in Indian River County. More than half the school children right here in are food anxious at some time during the year. They have back pack programs at the schools which send food home with kids on Friday night. Many people don’t realize that the poverty level in the county is about 20%. Twenty percent of the people in this affluent community don’t have enough food on the table. That’s why I am doing this. The hunger and poverty issues are so keen – and they shouldn’t be. The gap between the rich and the poor here is unbelievable,” states Scott.

“We are going to be asking people if they can sponsor or contribute by the mile – $15 for a mile. So, if someone wants to contribute $150.00 for example, or 10 miles, it provides a total of 500 meals. We are going to be proactively reaching out to everyone in IRC by going to Rotary and service clubs, advertising in the newspaper, on Facebook, with a web site, publicity on training events and resurrecting the donor list from the last cross country ride to beat hunger.”  Scott will also use a video and written blog throughout the journey to keep followers up-to-date on his whereabouts and to provide educational information he collects along the way. The last time Scott made a cross-country trek he raised $53,000 and he had thousands of fans following online as he made the ride.

“Over the four times that I have done this ride, a lot has happened. It is very much a mindfulness practice to see the country at about 18mph. While I ride, I focus on different things – I just love seeing America this way. You build lasting friendships with all kinds of different people. Out of the group, several people will become very good, unexpected friends. Also, you can’t eat enough to maintain your body weight – everybody loses weight! Every time I have done this ride, I have lost between 10 and 12 pounds.”

When asked what is the most rewarding aspect of this ride, there is much to be said. “Of course there is the aspect of raising the money to help others. You are providing service for others. But the most rewarding is probably being physically able to accomplish the ride. There are windy, rainy, stormy days that are really hard. Just being able to complete each day without having to be picked up is very rewarding. I have never had to stop – all three times I have been able to ride every single mile. And…it is an absolutely great way to see America,” smiles Scott.

As he endeavors to embark on the fourth trip, Scott confesses that it is an addiction of sorts. “I just love to be on the road with other people raising money and doing good.   It’s a spiritual practice in terms of mindfulness because you just can’t do this and not be mindful. Your mind goes to a good place. It’s also the spiritual practice of caring for others. I would do this even if I wasn’t raising money …I might as well do this and in the process, help other people.”

Scott is the only rider from Vero Beach that will be doing the entire ride from west to east coast.

Riding along with Scott for a specific leg of the journey will be Reverend Cliff Melvin, from Christ by the Sea. “I will be riding with Scott for the first week of the journey (840 miles through California, Arizona, and New Mexico). While I love riding and have done several rides of 500 miles in a week, this will be my most challenging endeavor to-date. I am already training to prepare for the 100 mile plus days of riding. Christ By The Sea has had a wonderful partnership with Harvest Food and Outreach of Vero Beach in assisting the needy in our community for several years. This is simply another way I can contribute to the guiding theme at Harvest of “giving a hand up, not a handout”. The funds raised will make a significant impact to feed the hungry right here in our community. We hope to far exceed the $52,500 goal.”

The Harvest Food and Outreach Center of Vero Beach effectively addresses hunger and the other related issues such as poverty, unemployment and homelessness from its facilities in Vero Beach. To learn more about the programs of the Harvest Food and Outreach Center, or to make a secure financial contribution, go to their website www.harvestfoodoutreach.org, or to The Ride To Beat Hunger website, www.theridetobeathunger.org or to the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ridetobeathunger

You can participate in the ride by making a financial contribution to the Harvest Food and Outreach Center of Vero Beach or by volunteering time or talent to their efforts to address hunger and poverty in our community.