Connecting with Old Friends, Making New

One of the best parts about my job is that I get to meet people who love bicycling and Adventure Cycling. Often these people become more than mere acquaintances, but part of the Adventure Cycling family and dear, personal friends to me.

Back in 2007 Adventure Cycing unveiled the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route, a representational route from Mobile, Alabama, to Owen Sound, Ontario. Later that summer, I staffed the first event tour on the route where I met this great group of gals from Detroit -- Donna, Debra, Cassandra, and Jackie. Little did I know that one of them, Cassandra Spratling (pictured above on the far left), would write a first-hand account of the trip for the Detroit Free Press, complete with an online photo gallery.

During that trip, I also became acquainted with Shannon Prince (pictured on the far right). Shannon and her husband Bryan run the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum, an important settlement founded by freedom seekers. The duo performed period re-enactments for us one evening in camp and Shannon and I became quick friends. I promised her that someday, the Underground Railroad Route would come to Buxton (more on that in future posts).

It was a happy day on October 29, 2009, when Cassandra, Shannon, and myself were reunited at the Second Baptist Church in Detroit. And it was there, that I also made a new friend.

Meet Glen Savarese, who said to me, "I've been waiting for Adventure Cycling to come here for 30 years!" and he had. Glen became a member in 1977 and joined as a life member thirteen years ago. I was thrilled to meet him and share with others at the event his long-standing commitment to Adventure Cycling.

I can't wait to continue to make new friendships and welcome others to the growing Adventure Cycling family.

in the top photo: Cassandra Spratling, Ginny Sullivan and Shannon Prince
in the second photo: Ginny Sullivan, Glen Savarese
photos by Ginny Sullivan

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CONNECTIONS is posted twice a month by Ginny Sullivan, Adventure Cycling's special projects director and features the cultural, historical, geographical, and human connections created through bike travel. Find out about our award-winning Underground Railroad Bicycle Route.