700 miles taught me everything about these kids
Thirteen years ago, I had no idea what I was getting into when I started Triangle Bikeworks.
I thought we'd teach some bike repair skills, maybe take a few rides around town.
What I discovered was something far more powerful: when Black and ALAANA youth get on bikes and start rolling, they don't just explore new places – they discover who they're truly meant to be.
This summer, with extreme weather in the forecast, we were unsure if our big ride would even happen. But come Saturday morning, we rolled out—ready for anything. The Spoke'n Revolutions crew rode strong, covering over 300 miles together.
Your support makes every mile of this journey possible.
Despite unexpected flooded road closures, youth camped under the stars, explored historic sites, and averaged 55 miles a day on routes that connected them to the stories that shaped this country. Not just the ones in textbooks.
But here's what really gets me: it's not the miles that transform them. It's the moment they realize they can push through when everything in their body says quit. The moment they discover they belong in spaces where they've never seen themselves before. The moment they understand that their voices, their perspectives, their leadership matters.
As we gear up for year 14, I keep thinking about all the young people we haven't reached yet. Kids who need to know they're capable of extraordinary things. Youth who deserve to see themselves as adventurers, historians, and leaders.