Cyclists Halfway Around Our Nation: 5 Hearts, 10 Legs Pedal Over 8800 Miles for Clean Water Solutions

Austin, TX, August 30, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The h2o Ride is a team of five cyclists in yellow & blue jerseys who embarked on a journey this summer that will take them through 35 states and our nation’s Capital on a mission to raise money and awareness for Living Water International, a nonprofit organization that builds wells and provides clean water solutions in impoverished countries. Overnighting in churches, homes or camping along the way, the team will average 80 miles a day on a route that will take them in a full circle around the nation.

They left from Austin, TX on June 20th and have completed over 4300 of the 8800 plus miles. They have pedaled through 11 of the 35 border states they will ride through before finishing their ride back to Austin by November 11, 2011. Visit their website h2oride.org to find out if they're coming to a town near you, view their route, or track their current location.

These endurance adventure riders Joel & Jillian Farris, Troves Gilbert, Eric Breckinridge, and Abe Clark are being supported along the way by Michael & Leila Way and their young daughter in a modest travel trailer and by a lean rider support fund. "It's an exciting calling that we feel very strongly about," said Leila Way. "We hope to share our mission with whoever we come across - in the hope that they are inspired to participate." You can contact them via their website if you are interested in doing a companion ride with the team as they pass through your area.

Joel and Troves are previous participants of the Texas 4000, a ride from Austin, TX to Anchorage, AK in support of cancer research. Last year, Abe completed a solo run from coast to coast in a fundraising effort for Living Water International. He became the fifteenth person to ever run solo and unsupported across the United States. Both Eric and Jillian are avid cyclists eager to use their talents in the service of others.

Citing their Christian faith as the catalyst for their ride, the team was drawn to raise awareness and money for the nearly one billion people in the world who lack access to clean drinking water. “Our compassion for those drinking dirty water is why we ride,” Breckinridge stated. "If you think this bicycle ride we are doing is difficult, just think, some people don’t do hard things because they can. They do them because they have to.”

Their 8,840 mile journey represents one mile for every 100,000 people without clean water, with a goal to raise $20 per mile. Each $20 donated will help to provide clean water to one person for one generation. Rider Abe Clark responds, "It is amazing what Americans can do when thousands of people rally together to accomplish a single goal. We can bring fresh water to a remote village. We can save a child from a death caused by dehydration or water-related illness." While reflecting on their mission, Troves Gilbert said, “Every glass I drink now reminds me how blessed I am and how thankful I am for clean water. This ride is an inspirational way we can use our gifts, share our faith, and help those without access to clean water."

For more information on The h2o Ride, the riders, their reflections along their journey and ways to contribute, visit The h2o Ride's website at h2oride.org

###