Inaugural Mass

NC State's Technician features Bike Ride

2009-02-04T13:27:00.000-08:00

Andrew Payne, editorial columnist for North Carolina State University's student newspaper The Technician, features the NC Inauguration Bike Riders in his weekly column:

Obama inspired all kinds of change, by Andrew Payne

The Independent Weekly's Post-Inauguration Issue

2009-01-28T07:27:00.000-08:00

Matt Saldaña from The Independent Weekly mentions the bike riders in his article about his experience in DC during the inauguration:

Obama sets the course for change, by Matt Saldaña

The Burlington Times News mentions bike ride; Matt Huffman reflects on event

2009-01-24T10:32:00.000-08:00

The Burlington Times News of Burlington, NC mentions the NC Inauguration Bike Ride:

Locals Head out for Washington, by Michael D. Abernethy

"It's a mass of humanity": Locals take in the scenes in Washington, by Michael D. Abernethy

Alamance County residents who were on the Mall Tuesday share their thoughts

Palestra.net Bike Ride Interview

2009-01-22T15:38:00.000-08:00

Mitch Pittman from Palestra.net interviews the bike riders the evening they arrive in DC:

CNN Headline News Live Interview

2009-01-22T15:04:00.000-08:00

Richelle Carey from Headline News interviews Darryl Jones live on CNN:

Good Morning America mentions bike ride

2009-01-21T09:55:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday's Good Morning America, on ABC, mentions the Inauguration Bike Ride. You can read a transcript of the segment here:

Inauguration Pilgrimage

We are still trying to track down the footage!

South Hill Enterprise features bikers

2009-01-20T22:46:00.000-08:00

South Hill, Virginia, our first stop on Day 1 of the trip, did a story about us in their local paper The South Hill Enterprise. You can view the original article here:

Locals attending Obama inauguration, by Lisa Andrews

Photos from the Road - Day 3 & 4

2009-01-19T13:49:00.000-08:00

"Cupcakes for Change"

Photos from the Road - Day 2

2009-01-17T16:28:00.001-08:00

In addition to the Day 2 photos, we've added new photos from Day 1. Be sure to check out Photos from the Road - Day 1 for more pictures from the first leg our our journey.

photos by Scott Heath

A Note from the Support Car

2009-01-17T13:16:00.000-08:00

By: Cory Livengood

Now that we've begun the 3rd leg of the trip, I thought I'd share how proud Scott and I in the support car are of Darryl, Matt, and Matt. They have already achieved an amazing feat and all signs seem to indicate that they will push through the cold and arrive safely at our final destination. If all goes according to plan, we'll arrive at the Lincoln Memorial as the Sunday evening concert is beginning, which should be a real treat. We most likely will have to lock up the bikes before we enter the concert due to increased security, but I bet by that time the riders will be happy to leave them behind, at least for a moment.

One of the things that has struck me most about this journey is the profound beauty we've encountered along our way, both in places we've seen and the people we've met. Too often it seems, folks whiz by at 80 miles per hour while real America passes by as a blur ("real" America, of course, includes the farmlands, the cities and all that lies in between). Scott and I have been taking the rural routes and country roads to not only to keep up with the guys, but to try to experience the countryside as they are and as the first generations of Americans did. Our trip takes us along routes our forefathers could have taken to get to the then new capital of this then new country. They didn't see the landscape as a quick blur on the highway and for the first time in my life, even after dozens of visits to Washington and beyond, neither am I. This is America. It is only a small part and this trip is our small contribution, but it is only through the combined influence of small acts that large goals can be achieved. The Obama campaign taught me that and our adventure serves to remind me.

These are my thoughts today. Thank you for reading and wish us luck as we start the second half of the NC Inauguration Bike Ride.

Halfway Point!

2009-01-16T22:08:00.000-08:00

By: Matthew Huffman

I hope this finds everyone doing well at home, and in all the various places across the country where people are finding out about the ride!

photos by Scott Heath

We arrived in Midlothian, VA tonight around 8:30 while the temperature was reading a frosty 14 degrees. At this point, we've logged nearly 10 hours of riding, watched cattle chase after us, cycled through an active military base (we even saw a training exercise!), forded a river, and discovered that Google Maps was not averse to putting us on dirt roads.

Let me be perfectly honest and completely clear with you: these are temperatures that I have never experienced on the road before. I knew we were well-equipped to handle inclement weather, but I don't think I would have ever imagined what it feels like to have the wind beat at your face when the mercury drops into the mid-teens.

Despite the constant and unabating cold, the trip has gone very, very well so far. It's been a real honor to have people cover our ride on the way up so far; we've received comments all over both states from people who see us on the road and recognize us from the news.

From the frosty ponds and the open road, we're beginning to look forward to Washington, and the dramatic pomp and circumstance of the inauguration. Stay tuned!

ABC11 and NBC17 Departure Coverage

2009-01-15T20:38:00.000-08:00

ABC 11 and NBC 17 covered our departure from Raleigh this morning, as we set out on our 277 mile journey to DC for Obama's inauguration.

Bikers pedaling for Obama. (ABC 11)

Cyclist hit the road for Obama Inauguration. (NBC 17)

CNN Coverage of the Inauguration Bike Ride

2009-01-15T20:22:00.000-08:00

We made it on CNN!

Photos from the Road - Day 1

2009-01-15T10:28:00.000-08:00

Our Inaugural Riders:

Matt Watts

Matt Huffman

Darryl Jones

The Bike Ride Support Team:

Scott Heath and Cory Livengood

Day 1 of the Inaugural Bike Ride:

Stay tuned for more updates!

Raleigh NBC 17 features Bike Ride

2009-01-14T17:13:00.000-08:00

Laura Barron reports on the NC Inauguration Bike Ride on Raleigh's NBC affiliate station WNCN:

Independent Weekly mentions Bike Ride

2009-01-14T13:55:00.000-08:00

Independent Weekly, the Triangle's Progressive Commentary Publication mentions the NC Inauguration Bike Ride:

New Raleigh Article

2009-01-13T20:24:00.000-08:00

New Raleigh, the daily Raleigh, NC news blog features the NC Inauguration Bike Ride:

Preparation

2009-01-12T10:42:00.001-08:00

We did a 20-mile ride around the greenways in Raleigh this morning as one of final training rides.
From left to right: Matt Watts, Matt Huffman and Darryl Jones (photo by Darryl Jones)

Donations

2009-01-11T21:04:00.000-08:00

Please help those who are less fortunate than us! The International Rescue Committee is an agency that provides aid and relief to developing nations. Please consider sponsoring us in our ride:

International Rescue Committee: Ride for Change Fundraising Page

Preparation

2009-01-11T21:00:00.001-08:00

Making the final changes to our 4-leg, 277 mile route.
From left to right: Cory Livengood (standing), Matt Huffman, Darryl Jones and Scott Heath (photo by Mary Ellis)

Our Sponsors

2009-01-11T20:55:00.000-08:00

We would like to thank another sponsor:

Bjorn and Amanda Beer, Chapel Hill, NC

Bjorn and Amanda have been a sounding board for the Bike Ride idea since its inception, thanks again!

Our Sponsors

2009-01-10T18:18:00.000-08:00

We would love to thank our first sponsor!

Hank Graden, Raleigh, NC

Thanks so much Hank! We will be thinking of you as we make our journey.

Our Crew

2009-01-10T18:08:00.000-08:00

We are always welcoming more, but so far our riders include:

Matt Huffman
Darryl Jones
Matt Watts

Our support crew and media team:

Scott Heath
Cory Livengood

Sharing the Journey

2009-01-09T22:28:00.000-08:00

We aren't the only ones who feel compelled to "do something special" for this inauguration. A fellow biker is making the trip all the way from the West Coast to come to DC. Many props my friend.

Biking for Obama

Bicycle Route Announced

2009-01-08T18:20:00.000-08:00

We have officially decided our route from Raleigh, NC to Washington DC. This is the first leg:

Raleigh, NC to South Hill, VA (January 15th)
Approximately 79.1 miles

View Larger Map

South Hill, VA to Midlothian, VA (January 16th)
Approximately 63.6 miles

View Larger Map

Midlothian, VA to Fredericksburg, VA (January 17th)
Approximately 72.5 miles

View Larger Map

Fredericksburg, VA to Washington DC (January 18th)
Approximately 61.9 miles

View Larger Map

That's put's our trip at approximately 277.1 miles, subject to change if we take shortcuts or if we take a few scenic routes. One week left until departure!

Manifesto

2008-12-30T13:01:00.000-08:00

We are riding to Washington DC for a number of reasons. Our ride is an expression of many of our shared values. Our manifesto for the Inauguration Bike Ride is as follows:

One:
The inauguration of Barack Obama will be a historic event. We want to be there for it. We want to share in the celebration at what will be the largest public gathering in America's recent history.

Two:
We are challenging our modern perceptions of space and time. We are changing the way we travel in honor of this nation's will to move forward beyond the current habits of movement.

Three:
In this age of increased environmental awareness, we can no longer depend solely on oil-based travel as a means of conveyance. By riding, we highlight one of the many ways to be more ecologically conscious. It is not the only way to travel, but it can be a powerful example.

Four:
With record deficit spending and an increasingly difficult economic climate, Barack Obama has told the nation that we must make sacrifices. By using this progressive form of transportation, we are sacrificing our convenience, our luxury and our bodies as a way of showing people that there is more than one way to travel. There are more logical sacrifices to make, but this is one we can afford to do, and one we want to make.

The Journey Begins

2008-12-11T22:24:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the blog for the North Carolina Inauguration Bike Ride. We are currently planning for this event, which departs on January 15th 2009 for Washington DC. The route is around 270 miles and we will be traveling entirely by bicycle.

Stay tuned for more details as this event unfolds. If you are interested in joining, please e-mail us at: NC.Inaug.Bike.Ride@gmail.com.