'Ride for Peace'

Many adventurers have thought about traveling across the country. But how many have considered trying it with a bicycle? Just ask the deCycle's bike team how it's done. \nOn Saturday, the group of 72 riders left for a three-week, 1,400-mile bicycle journey from Bloomington to New England.\nThis year's trip is being dedicated to Jill Behrman, a missing IU student who was last seen May 31, 2000 riding her bike on the south side of Bloomington. Behrman was a member of the group during its trip in the summer of 1999.\n"We appreciate the fact that they dedicated this trip to Jill again, and they're all wearing 'Jill' buttons," said Marilyn Behrman, Jill's mother. "This is a real special group, because it's something that Jill enjoyed a lot, and I know that she would at least want to be a part of this trip. Several of her friends are on this trip."\nThe group was sent off by hundreds of people who gathered at Shower's Plaza downtown Saturday morning. The event included an appearance by Mayor John Fernandez, speeches by local fire fighters and law enforcement officials and testimony from members of deCycles.\n"We want to show the world that it's by struggles we get stronger, and that through teamwork we can survive anything," said Amanda Ludwig, a high school student and Canada native who is going on the trip.\nAnd the deCycles have proven that they can survive this type of trip. Last summer, the team went on a Rocky Mountain Tour, and the year before that, they toured the Pacific coast. This year's trip includes stops at Ground Zero in New York City, Niagara Falls and several other stops along the East coast. The group includes both Bloomington natives and people from all across the country.\nThis year's theme is "Ride for Peace." At the send-off ceremony, a large banner was signed by the attendees and members of the group. This banner will be presented at a welcome ceremony at Ground Zero on July 4.\nThere, the deCycles will meet with New York dignitaries, fire fighters/police officials and the media to convey its message of support and appreciation for all emergency response workers and victims of violence in New York and elsewhere. \nCricket Houze, one of the organizers of the trip, is excited about the group this year. \n"(The group is) about half female and male, and half rookies and veterans," she said. "People ask, 'how do you take so many kids?' These kids are awesome. They've accomplished a lot every day."\nThe group will average 70-80 miles per day, with a few "century days" in which they will ride over 100 miles.\n"I would say that most of the riders probably have no clue what they're really in for," Marilyn Behrman said. "It is an adventure; there's nothing else quite like it. You have to work as a team, and you have to do whatever it takes to get down the road."\nOne of the first timers, Michael May, said he was most looking forward to "seeing things along the way" during the trip.\nTheo Maynard is participating in his third trip.\n"Something draws me back," he said. "Once you go on one trip, you're stuck with it for years."\nFor Alyssa Houze, the trip is a family event. Her parents Norm and Cricket organize the event, and she and her sister have gone for the past several years. \n"This is my fifteenth trip. The best part for me is seeing what we can accomplish when we all come together as a group," Houze said. \n"I think this will be an especially meaningful trip partly because of the theme, but then every trip is meaningful to those who participate," Marilyn Behrman said. "It means a lot to us to be here and to get the chance to see some of our old friends and Jill's friends and to wish them well on their trip"