Biking for Obama » ryan

Speaking in Saint Louis!

ryan — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:53:20 +0000

Tomorrow I will be speaking about my experiences at Saint Louis University. It should be a great opportunity to generate discussion about how we can simplify our lives to help others. If you know anyone in the Saint Louis area tell them to shoot me an email, I’d love to link up with them, and check out the local cycling scene!

Read the press release here.

A summer run-in with my past

ryan — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:01:06 +0000

Does randomness exist? Well, ever since I started riding I’ve learned that just about anything can happen!

In a fluke encounter last week in Portland, Oregon, I ran into Chase, a fellow cyclist I met along my journey in Texas. Turns out, he’s spent his summer doing the same thing I did last winter, taking off on his bike a couple months ago from North Carolina and has been headed West ever since. From the glimmer in his eye I could tell that he was having the best experience of his life… the natural high of cycling is so easy to read, it made me jealous!

Well when I saw him he was just about to finish his coast to coast trek, with only a two day jaunt to the Pacific Coast left. From the looks of his facebook page, it seems like he made it to the coast safe and sound. Well god bless you Chase, and the many others who opt to travel on two wheels and open themselves to the world!

The last time i saw him we were riding through central Texas stoppin to grub on some Kolatches!!!

Support Play for Hope

ryan — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:13:09 +0000

Please watch the video and consider making a contribution to the effort.
There are so many charities and organizations that focus on Africa’s need for help from us. Many of those often have failed to accomplish a sustainable change in the lives of those involved. Play for Hope has laid a foundation based on sustainability, and has the chance to dramatically improve the lives of Rwanda’s youth.

This June-July I will be traveling alongside a team American and Rwandan basketball and soccer coaches, medical staff and others to Kigali, Rwanda. We aim to provide an outlet to the thousands of children who don’t have any little leagues or organized recreational sports. Looking back on the relationships that I have made in my sports career, I realize that they have truly been some of the most fulfilling in my life. The lessons learned in teamwork and cooperation as well as the ability to push one’s self to the limit and compete at one’s maximum level is unparalleled.

Not only are sports VITAL to developing relationships amongst one’s peers, but they have the potential to uplift the spirit as well. Many Rwandan children have lost parents to genocide and AIDS and desperately need a message of hope and reconciliation.

As a photographer with a passion for justice, there is no way that I could miss this opportunity to document one of the most compelling, revolutionary events going on this summer. Please support us, fundraising efforts have been difficult in these economic times. While we will work with whatever resources we get, this cannot be done without as much help as possible.

Watermelon Jokes and Obama

ryan — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 05:06:33 +0000

Q: “Did u hear the one about the changes to the White House since Obama got elected?
A: Him and Michelle did some gardening and replaced the rose garden with watermelons!”

Wow, usually I don’t get to hear this type of humor but I was privy to it tonight @ the local gas station a few blocks from work in Blaine, WA (just south of the Canadian border). I was tellin the clerk about Michelle Obama planting a garden in England last week and how well she got along with the children. And the man behind me in his dirty coveralls and work boots says “watermelons?!”
I kinda did a double take and told them that I don’t usually get to hear those jokes. I guess its a different world to be ethnically ambiguous at times. And to hear that we’re still usin Jim Crow imagery in ‘09 is fascinating and disturbing! Its still a very racist place that we’re livin in.

So what does Obama’s presidency mean? I believe it will just become more concealed and covert than it has already been.

Your thoughts?

back home

ryan — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:07:12 +0000

Past issues aside, being back in one’s hometown brings with it a sense of belonging. Whether its something in the air, or just the familiar street signs, there is something reassuring about being in the town where one grew up in.
After having travelled the countryside, I find myself taking new appreciation for the places I have been. “The Return” is an archetype in itself. Whether its the biblical reference to the prodigal son, or any of the myriad of examples in our literature, the thought brings simultaneous anxiety and comfort…sweet and sour. Cobwebs brushed aside, the memories resurface, and one takes a breath and moves forward…

While I look fondly upon my high school years, the thought of going back into the classroom had me just a little bit apprehensive. A few weeks ago in March I was invited by an old friend to see what the teaching world was like. Luke Fritz was my high school football teammate and co-leader of a young men’s Bible study back in the days of yesteryear (all the way back to 2004! [haha i know, im not that old yet])

Me and Luke in our days @ Wilson HS in Portland, OR (I’m #15, he wears #64)

Brought as a special guest speaker to a Westview High’s freshman global studies class, I sat in on a vibrant discussion of current events as well as the the student’s homework, they had recently finished reporting on various countries in Africa. I had even spoken to the kids via phone-conference while I was still in Virginia, so many of them were ecstatic to see me live and in-person. The kids enthusiasm was great, we got to speaking about how I planned my trip, and how I’ve found that a bicycle is truly the best form of transport in the world.

Anyways, I loved speaking to the kids about my experience, also, seeing how my buddy Luke has been able to infuse social justice into the classroom. The kids also asked about

and my plans to go to Rwanda. I was impressed by their knowledge of Rwandan history. It was great to see young minds committed to understanding more of the world around them.

Theft in Los Angeles

ryan — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:26:27 +0000

While i refuse to harbor regrets in my life, sometimes things happen that are unfortunate and just need a positive means to vent upon…

Last night my bike was stolen.

Not only mine, but the bike it was locked up to: my best friend Tope’s BMX. Ya, he’s a semi-pro bmx rider, and his bike was worth even more than mine (financially speaking).

This is officially one of those “fuck the world!” kind of moments. However, with the encouragement of Tope, I guess its better not to harbor that kind of negativity. After all, I’m not a very sentimental person when it comes to material possessions. Multiple travels, displacement from home to college, and my recent trip have left me with the knowledge that possessions are temporary and impermanent, which is why right now i’m trying my best to react to this assault on my transportation in the most buddhist kind of way. Just breathe, it will be alright.

Now I can say without a doubt that our country needs change. This economy has people pulling some of the shiestiest moves ever..stealing bikes being one of them. I guess it all comes down to the money, its a sad thing to say, I know. But I press on recognizing this theft as more indicative of a larger system that has folks in my working class and low-income neighborhood hard pressed to get by.

I am one of the more fortunate cyclists out there now, with the opportunities that this trip has blessed me with, I have many projects in the works and have a feeling like I’ll be able to get another bike someday soon…but it sure would be nice to have all those signatures back.
This bike had meant a lot more to me than rubber, aluminum and carbon fiber..it reflected in its very frame the Americans that inspired me to continue on in my nationwide trek. From the mom and pop bike shops that fixed my bike for free, to the camera crews that followed me from ABC, the only signature that seemed to be lacking would have been the president’s himself.

For all of my bike lovers out there: Learn from my mistake, don’t leave it out of your sight…especially in the city.

Moving forward, I have to press on to the projects I have in the works. Yesterday I contacted producers and editors in Hollywood to try to get my documentary put together in the next two weeks for the 2009 Bicycle Film Festival. Along with that, my agent Sven has been working in Switzerland to secure sponsors to continue the ride internationally.

Many things to look forward to, so i’m just going to keep my head up and keep the rubber side down. Off to build my next bike- I’m goin fixed gear!

Media Frenzy

ryan — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:15:59 +0000

Here’s a summary of the last two months of media coverage received. Its astounding to see how many places and people heard about my journey. They’ve been writing about me from Switzerland to Qatar (I didnt even know that was a country!) and everywhere in between.

There’s definitely more news to come, and possibly a few ‘doin’s a brewin’!

PRESS RECEIVED as of January 28, 2009

January 28, 2009
Climate Justice Now “Biking for Obama” article by Ariana de Leña

January 22, 2009
Oprah and Friends: Dr. Robin Smith

January 21, 2009
ABC News 20/20
The (Long) Road to the Inauguration

Los Angeles Times
“Celebrating, working, struggling on the big day” article by Peter H. King

Star News, Wilmington N.C.,
“Inspired by Obama, cyclist riding from L.A. to D.C.” article by David Reynolds

BikePortland.org “Blumenauer lends a hand to Obama bikers” Blog Post by Jonathan Maus (Editor)

January 20, 2009

El Universo (Ecuador)
Multitudes se encuentran en Washington con fe en un cambio

Univision
“A la asunción en bicicleta: Ryan Bowen atravesó EU para ver a Obama”

La Mañana Neuquén (Colombia)
“Desde Los Angeles, en bicicleta”

The Peninsula, Qatar
“Biker for Obama braves winter tour across continent” Source DPA

January 19, 2009
Les Quotidiennes (Switzerland)
“Il pédale 5000 km pour assister à la cérémonie d’investiture de Barack Obama”

El Pais (Uruguay)
Una imagen renovada para la Casa Blanca

La Prensa (Honduras)
“La esperanza comienza hoy”

El Deber (Bolivia)
Obama asume cargado de desafíos en EEUU

Samanyolu Haber (Turkey)
“Obama’yı için 5 bin kilometre pedal”

Zaman (Turkey)
“Obama yemin ediyor, ABD’de yeni dönem”

The Oregonian (Newspaper) “Mixing a little public good with the inauguration’s excess”

article by Charles Pope

20minutes.fr
“Il «roule» pour Obama” article by Laura Desjardins

The Earth Times
Biker for Obama braves winter tour across continent – Feature

eYugoslavia.com, Serbia
“Biker for Obama braves winter tour across continent” article By Vasilije Gallak

January 18, 2009
Agence France-Presse (AFP)
“Cycling cross-country for Obama” article by Olivia Hampton

Los Angeles Times
“‘Hurting and hoping’ across the land” Article by Peter King

BikeRadar.com
“Cyclist completes Obama-inspired cross-country trek” by AFP

January 13
Huffington Post
“One Cyclist’s Inauguration Journey a Wonderful Sign of the Times“ article Graham Hill

January 7
Lake City Reporter (Lake City, FL)
“Mayor gives adventurer key to city” Article by Jeff M. Hardison

AFP: Cyclists prepare for Obama inauguration

January 5, 2009

Public Radio International: Phone Interview on “The Takeaway”

December 23, 2008

National Public Radio: Phone Interview on “Talk of the Nation” with Neil Conan
Who’s Coming To Washington For The Inauguration?

Superill.net
Biking for Obama: This is ILL!

January 5, 2009
WBUR.org Boston’s NPR News Source
Interview on “Here and Now”

December 25, 2008
Boston Globe
“Inauguration-bound on 2 wheels and a lot of hope” Obama inspires 4,000-mile trek. Article by Peter H. King

December 22, 2008
Public Radio International: “Inauguration or bust: From Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. by bike”

Phone Interview on “The Takeaway”

December 21, 2008
Fox Cable News Phone Interview on “Fox and Friends”

December 13, 2008
Los Angeles Times Article by Peter King “Headed to the inauguration on two wheels, a hope and a prayer”

December 2, 2008
NBC 4 Los Angeles News Feature Biking for Obama

Ryan Taken Away Again

admin — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:01:15 +0000

Yes Ryan was on the Takeaway (a radio show from Public Radio International or PRI) again. This time they were checking back on Ryan and seeing how far he had progresses since the last interview they had with him. Click here to listen to the interview!

Here and Now with Ryan

admin — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:45:03 +0000

Ryan was just featured on National Public Radio’s “Here and Now!” on WBUR in Boston. Click here to listen to the interview.

(Please note that you will need the Real Audio Player in order to listen to the interview.)

Biking for Obama officially collaborates with Play for Hope

ryan — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:57:47 +0000

For the last 8 months I have been working together with a group of individuals committed to creating a positive change in the world.

Many are familiar with the horrific genocide that took place in Rwanda in 1994. The movie Hotel Rwanda exposed millions to the sad events that separated the nation and left thousands dead, orphaned and desolate. Play For Hope was created to bring hope and joy to the devastation and aftermath of the Rwandan genocide. They are a dynamic partnership of Rwandans and Americans committed to creating sustainable sports development for the youth of Rwanda through sports camps, tournaments, and leadership training. Many of these children have lost parents to genocide and AIDS and desperately need a message of hope and reconciliation.

I have decided that any funds supporting Biking for Obama that exceed the very necessities of getting to Washington D.C. will go towards sponsorship of Play for Hope. This is a committed, sustainable project that I fully believe in and plan on committing my economic, social, and political resources to.

Please check out the website www.playforhope.org, as a dear friend of mine, Brian Beckman has pledged his life to this cause. It is truly a inspirational quest that we hope will lead to a harmonious, independent Rwanda.