Cycle for STEM

Cycle for STEM is a bike ride of 300+ miles that raises money and awareness for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Proceeds benefit the AFCEA Educational Foundation to fund scholarships for educators and students in these fields. The event is also about camaraderie, and it's a whole lot of fun—as you'll see on this blog. Come follow our adventures then join us.

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STEM in Action

Each day of the Cycle for STEM ride is full of fun and fellowship. Along the trail, the importance of raising money for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) grants hits home for us in new ways. For one, we gave out three grants to local high schools in the towns we passed through along the way. Hearing the excitement and enthusiasm of the educators who accept the checks renews our commitment to raising this money. Here’s a picture of the presentation of a $500 grant to Hancock High School Wednesday night.

For another thing, we run into teachers, scientists and mathematicians who are riding along the same trails. Their interest in what we do and reinforcement that this type of money will make a big difference touches us. It makes it personal in new ways, and we hope they carry our message with them.

And last but certainly not least, we see the effects of STEM everywhere. Without GPS half the support team would basically just be “Lost in the Woods for STEM.” Almost every facet of our modern lives is touched by STEM fields. Cars. Roads. Radios. Medicine. Computers. Smart phones. Not to mention, the amazing engineering wonders we’re having the chance to experience along the way. When we see infrastructure like the Paw Paw Tunnel or Dam #4 or even the pathway along the side of the C&O Canal Towpath we remember, this is the kind of effort we support. Dedicated people building amazing benefits for society. STEM matters. Imagine, for a moment, what life would be like without your technology. Or reliable infrastructure. Or modern conveniences. Or modern medicine. Scary. Our future could look that way. Instead, we believe we should encourage the mind who will make the future even more amazing than the present. That’s why we work so hard and ride so far. Seeing the results of STEM along a beautiful path over the course of the week is just an inspirational bonus. 

The Paw Paw Tunnel

Dam #4

There’s no doubt we have a worthy cause, but we do manage to throw in quite a bit of fun along the way. Here are a few shots to give you an idea of Day Four. See you tomorrow!

The team at Fort Frederick. Military technology has advanced some, don't you think?

Ron Lipscomb dressed up as a Maryland militia member.

A train stopped some of our riders for a bit.

We have a whole team of people taking photos and posting them on social media. Far more content than we can ever share here so please make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and to search for the hashtag #c4stem on both sites to see more. 

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Day Two: On the Other Side of the Continental Divide

This morning started with the opportunity to give a $500 STEM grant to Uniontown Area High School. The school administrators who accepted the check informed us they would use it to update their biology program. Perhaps this money will jump start the passion of future doctors, researchers and veterinarians? We can't wait to find out!

After that, Cycle for STEM 2014 followed the pretty usual routine. Cyclists went a long way on their bikes in the rain while the support crew chased after them and tried to feed them more than they wanted. (Just kidding!) Hopefully the sun shining on us right now holds and we have a few days of clear, sunny beauty to pedal through as we make our way to D.C. 

The day had a few highlights, including cresting the Continental Divide and being greeted by rider Ron Lipscomb's father and then his mother and grandparents at two different spots along the ride. It was almost like we had fans, though oddly they mostly seemed interested in Ron. Either way, it was a great time full of fun and pride. The pictures probably tell the story better, so enjoy!

It's muddy out here.

Ron and his dad.

Ron with his grandparents who are holding the Coast Guard and U.S. flags.

Just about ready to set off. 

Chris Gogoel showing off the jersey, including platinum sponsor Google.

Pulling into the first rest stop of the day. Al Mink is waving hello.

The downpour on the detour. Still don't know why the original route was closed. 

Thanking our sponsors in the tunnel under the Continental Divide. 

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Cycle for STEM’s Family and Friends

For many of our cyclists and support crew, the connections forged during Cycle for STEM come through the shared experience of riding 335 miles (often in bad weather) and all the good and bad that comes with this type of trek. However this year, we have a couple of prior connections making life on the trail warm and fun.

Brian Moore brought his three children out for our little spin, turning Cycle for STEM into a real family affair. Brian and his daughter Evelyn even ride a tandem. (Kelsey and Conor ride their own bikes.) Brian says that both he and his wife are involved in STEM fields so supporting our cause is a natural fit. Throw in the chance to ride a trail he’s wanted to take his kids on for awhile and you have the perfect combination!

Two other members of our six-day team found out they have a prior link as well. Ludmilla Parnell recognized Sam Carolus-Hager’s father when the team mustered for the initial bus ride up to Pittsburgh, but she couldn’t remember from where. Turns out that Sam, who has graduated from college now, went to high school with Ludmilla’s son. Great people have a way of coming together. And where better to do it than on a bike ride through some of the most beautiful locations in the country while raising money for an awesome cause?

Oh but wait, there’s more. At our first rest stop today (that’s Tuesday for those of you late to our party here), rider Ron Lipscomb’s dad, who lives and works nearby, stopped by to greet his son and encourage the whole team. 

[Side note fun fact: Ron and Brian are both in the Coast Guard and were recruited by one-day rider Caleb James, also a member of the Coast Guard.]

So you can see, Cycle for STEM really has many layers. We’re building communities within communities, bringing together old connections and reaching out to people we meet along the way. We cycle to support STEM education. We support STEM education because it’s critical to the success and wellness of society. We promote that same prosperity by supporting each other in our microcosm and doing all we can to push that out to everyone we can reach. Come be part of our effort. Who knows? You might already know someone along the way. If you don’t, just bring your family!

  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more good times and education information. 

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Day One: Funding the Future. Riding in the Rain.

The reason we all put so much effort into Cycle for STEM isn't to ride bicycles (okay, it's not just to ride bicycles) or have fun teasing each other about riding bicycles. We're driven by our desire to help students and their teachers achieve great things in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) education. 

Today, before our first full day of riding, we gave a check to Steel Valley High School. Asst. Principal John Strum accepted the $500 grant, which he says will go toward a new classroom designed for a special program at the school that runs in conjunction with Carnegie Mellon University. The effort gives the high school students a chance to learn special STEM skills including how to design apps and perform programming. 

Strum explains that the timing of this grant could not be better. We can't wait to check back in soon and learn about the great things they're doing!

After the presentation, Cycle for STEM 2014 looked a lot like 2013, with buckets of rain coming down on the riders. But everyone made it in safe and sound. The sun even came out for final check-in and bike maintenance. Tomorrow we're giving out $500 more to another local high school. Do days get better than this? The pictures below hit a few highlight spots along our route. Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. You'll feel like you're along for the ride. 

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The Steepest Officially Recorded Street in the United States

Pittsburgh is home to the steepest street in the United States. When our riders heard that, naturally the first thought that crossed their minds was "We have to ride that!" Here are some images to give you an idea of how steep Canton Street is.

Only U.S Army Capt. Bobby Steele made it to the top, though several of our riders gave it a good try! Everyone had a good time, and that really was the point!

For more photos and for videos like us at www.facebook.com/cycleforstem and follow us on Twitter cycleforstem.

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At the Trail Head

A couple more great shots from today. If you're anywhere along our trail, come out and say hi. 

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We're Underway!

In a flashback to Cycle for STEM 2013, our ride today included a fair bit of wet weather, including lightning and tornado warnings! And just like last year, the rain didn't dampen spirits at all. The team rode out to the trail head this afternoon so everyone could get in every mile of the C&O Canal Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage. Here's a photo tour of the day. 

Banner full of our wonderful sponsors before the ride began. 

The off!

Arriving at Point Park.

Co-founders Terry Rogers and Sean McGowan at the trail head.

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Cycle for STEM 2014: Rider Need-to-Know

Fundraising

Between individual fundraising and corporate sponsorships, we’re right about at the halfway mark to our goal! For those of you who may need some ideas on additional ways to draw donations, our fundraising toolkit can be found here: http://www.afcea.org/events/cycleforstem/14/includes/Fundraising_Toolkit.pdf

  Paperwork

We have to keep our lawyers happy! Please fill out the waiver and emergency contact form and return them as soon as possible. This is extremely important – nobody gets on the bus to Pittsburgh or the shuttle to White’s Ferry and nobody rides unless both forms are completed in full and sent back beforehand.

  Meet-Up at AFCEA International

4400 Fair Lakes Court

Fairfax, VA 22033

  6-Day Riders:  Meet at 9am on Sunday, July 13. Expected departure time for Pittsburgh is 9:30am.

4-Day Riders: We have a volunteer that can take you and your bags to Cumberland on Tuesday (July 15) afternoon/evening (time of departure TBD), but we currently are unable to transport bikes on Tuesday. If you would like, you can meet up with the 6-Day riders at AFCEA on Sunday morning (or drop your bike off at AFCEA HQ at any time during the week before the ride) and we will transport your bike along with the others along the first days of the ride. (Your bike will remain secure on the truck at all times.) If you need your bike Sunday/Monday/Tuesday, or if you must travel on Wednesday morning, please plan to make your own arrangements for transportation. NOTE: We have reserved a room for you in Cumberland on Tuesday night. If you are planning to travel to Cumberland on Wednesday morning, please let us know ASAP. We expect to begin Wednesday’s ride at 8am.

  1-Day Riders:  Meet at 6:30am on Saturday, July 19 for 7:15am departure to White’s Ferry.

  Trail Etiquette

  1)  Safety – It’s going to be hot and humid. Stay hydrated and fueled. If you’re not feeling well, do not push yourself beyond your capabilities.  The support team is there for a reason, and there’s nothing wrong with finishing a day in one of the vehicles if you’re not feeling well enough to ride safely to the hotel. Everyone has bad days on the bike!

2)  This is NOT a race! Some riders will be faster than others and that is expected. However, we do expect the group to stay within a reasonable distance of one another. Rest and lunch stops and support teams are spread out along the trail (cue sheets will be distributed each day) and all riders MUST sign in at every rest area and at the lunch stop. If you race ahead, you will not only be leaving the team, but you may be waiting for a long time at a rest area as the support teams will not leave a stop until every rider has checked in. Enjoy the scenery and the camaraderie of the ride! It’s more fun that way. Also of note is that the posted speed limit on both the GAP and the C&O Towpath is 15mph.

3)  Sweepers – there will be a group of two designated sweepers each day. Those two people will be the last into each stop and the last into the hotel each night. It would be nice if everybody took a turn at least one day so that the same people aren’t sweeping all days of the ride. If you’d like to volunteer to sweep on a given day, please volunteer now by emailing [email protected].

4)  Basic courtesies – there will be other folks using the trail. Give an audible warning when you pass, ride defensively when around other riders and pedestrians, and remember that pedestrians and horses have the right of way. Obey traffic signs and signals (not just a courtesy, but also the law) and use hand signals as needed.

  Miscellaneous

  1)  Dinners – It’s not required, but having dinner as a group every night is a lot of fun and a huge part of what makes this event so much of a team effort. We’ll plan to have dinner each night within a reasonable amount of time of the last riders arriving at the hotel. In every town, there are dinner options within walking distance of the hotel. (And in Hancock, we’re planning a pizza party at the hotel!) NOTE: Dinners are an out-of-pocket expense for riders and support team.

2)  Breakfasts – Included at all hotels except Ohiopyle and Shepherdstown. At the hotels where breakfast is not included, breakfast is an out-of-pocket expense for riders and support team.

3)  Friday night in Leesburg – A friend of AFCEA has offered to host the team for a BBQ at his house. To, in his words, “do it right” he needs about $400 additional dollars beyond what he can contribute from his own pocket. There is no expectation of you making a donation for this, but if you would like to toss a few bucks in the pot, a suggested amount is $15 per person. We will work out transportation for riders and the support team from Friday night’s hotel to the BBQ and back.

4)  Hotels for 1-Day riders – If you’re from out of town and need a hotel on Friday and/or Saturday night, there are a number of hotels within a short distance of AFCEA HQ including a Hyatt, a Residence Inn, and a Hilton Garden Inn within 1 mile. You will need to make your own reservations if you need a room.

5)  Trail Nicknames – Expect to get one. You’ll find out more on the ride!  ☺  If you have a nomination for a nickname for somebody, please feel free to bring it up at any time during the ride!  (e.g.:  Co-founder Terry Roger’s trailname is “Boo Boo”)

6)  End of ride celebration – After we reach mile marker zero in Georgetown, we’re going to be shuttled back to AFCEA for an end of ride celebration. Food and beverages will be served and AFCEA does have shower facilities for those who need to wash off!

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Meet Our Riders: Sam Carolus-Hager

If you want to have that feeling of escape and freedom for a whole week while supporting a great cause, what are you waiting for? Sign up!

    Most of our riders here at Cycle for STEM have been out of school for awhile now (we won’t say how long...) and are raising money because they see in the workplace and in society the need for improved science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. But our most recent six-day rider breaks that mold. Sam Carolus-Hager is a recent college graduate who actually heard about our cause from a former professor.

“I'm participating in Cycle for STEM to enjoy one of our region’s best rides, and to raise money for STEM education at the same time,” Sam says. “Cycle for STEM is important because it helps support America's next generation of STEM education.”

He feels the quiet trails with beautiful scenery along the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal Towpath will be the best part of the ride, and he can’t wait to get on the road. “I just signed up for the ride, but I’m looking forward to lots of things,” Sam states. “Mostly, I’m just excited for July 13,” the first day of the event.

Sam volunteered to play the role of mechanic during our six-day trip from Pennsylvania to Washington, D.C. Along the way, he’ll help riders who have flat tires, broken chains or other equipment problems. In the meantime, he’s prepping his own bike, outfitting it with some really wide tires and possibly a rack with a pannier.

Hopefully, Sam’s enthusiasm for cycling and education encourage other people to become involved in this fantastic event, even if they’re not sure they’re ready. “My advice for someone thinking about doing Cycle for STEM would be to get out and ride,” Sam says. “If you want to have that feeling of escape and freedom for a whole week while supporting a great cause, what are you waiting for? Sign up!”

  Come join Sam and all the fun! You can register at www.afcea.org/events/cycleforstem/14/register.asp.

Ready to be involved but not to hop on a bike? Donate instead. All your generosity goes directly to STEM scholarships. You can give online at www.afcea.org/events/cycleforstem/14/donate.asp.

Like our Facebook page to participate in our good times and see the personalities of our core team. And follow us on Twitter via @cycleforstem. Your interaction on social media is important to us and we’d love to hear from you. Hashtag on all social media is #c4stem. You can also email us at [email protected].

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Meet Our Riders: Ludmilla Parnell

"The country's future progress in this area depends on our ability to provide a good education and to help those with talent achieve their goals in this area."

  Cycle for STEM is full of people eager to have a whole lot of fun riding their bikes and ribbing each other. But the fun surrounds a critical core purpose—raising money and awareness of the need for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) studies. Six-day rider Ludmilla Parnell explains the importance of this cause as she describes her reasons for dedicating a week of her life to pedaling a bike for it.

“I'm riding in Cycle for STEM 2014 for a couple of reasons,” she explains. “For one, I think it's important that we encourage students and educators to pursue technical and science education and to give them the resources to excel in this area. The country's future progress in this area depends on our ability to provide a good education and to help those with talent achieve their goals in this area.  My own son is an engineering student at Virginia Tech and I was a science grad and a practicing scientist for several years, so I appreciate the work it takes to achieve success in the STEM areas.

“But we also need to help those who have the capabilities yet may lack the financial resources,” she continues. “I hope that our contribution through our generous donors will provide support to deserving students and educators.”

Ludmilla, who has been an AFCEA member for years and actively participates with the association’s Small Business Committee, is also riding in Cycle for STEM 2014 this July as a personal challenge. Through her AFCEA affiliations she’s met many great people (including the other awesome Cycle for STEMmers), and this ride offered a way to test herself physically and mentally while supporting the organization and its Educational Foundation.

Don’t be mistaken, however. Ludmilla is dedicated and driven, but she’s ready to enjoy herself just as much as everyone else. “I'm looking forward to all parts of the ride: the first couple of days with the hills; the beautiful scenery along the way; and the camaraderie I anticipate will develop as we all have moments of exhaustion, and maybe even discouragement, but pull one another to succeed as a team toward the end goal of finishing the ride.”

To prepare, she is taking short training rides on weekdays and long training rides on the weekends. Ludmilla also swims three times a week to keep her upper body fit. The first weekend in June she logged 100 miles and will try to keep increasing both the weekend and weekday rides until the official event begins on July 13th.

Ludmilla’s enthusiasm, dedication and sportsmanship make her a blessing to the team, but she’s not relying on humans alone for Godspeed. “I am also getting a group of my ‘prayer warrior’ friends together to pray not only for me, but for our entire team—both cyclists and volunteers—that God's grace would be with us all,” she explains.

    Cycle for STEM raises money for STEM scholarships which are awarded through AFCEA’s Educational Foundation. The entire trip travels from Pittsburgh, PA, to Washington, D.C., along the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath from July 13-19. Six-day, four-day and one-day ride options are available. Come join Ludmilla and all the fun! You can register at www.afcea.org/events/cycleforstem/14/register.asp.

Ready to be involved but not to hop on a bike? Donate instead. All your generosity goes directly to STEM scholarships. You can give online at www.afcea.org/events/cycleforstem/14/donate.asp.

Like our Facebook page to participate in our good times and see the personalities of our core team. And follow us on Twitter via @cycleforstem. Your interaction on social media is important to us and we’d love to hear from you. Hashtag on all social media is #c4stem. You can also email us at [email protected].

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Meet Our Riders: Chuck Harris and Ben Huntington

Ben is probably the only person on the face of the Earth who forgot how to ride a bike.

Over the weeks, we’ve shown you that Cycle for STEM has been about friendship and teamwork from the beginning. But what about family? Well, we have that too. Chuck Harris and Ben Huntington are a father-son team joining the four-day ride this July.

Cycling has been a part of Chuck’s and Ben’s lives since they were children (Chuck got a head start). “I started riding bikes a lot when, as a youngster, I sold newspapers,” Chuck says. “As a soldier stationed in Germany, I didn’t have a car, but rode a bike.” His future wife also rode instead of drove when she was an American nurse working in Germany. After marrying and having children, they were stationed in the Marshall Islands where everyone cycled because of restrictions on private cars. Ben learned to ride (and crash) bikes there.

But that’s only the beginning of their stories. The two men have some interesting experiences in their histories.

Father and son both like speed, Chuck perhaps a little too much. While stationed in Germany, he became a minor celebrity by being issued a speeding ticket while on a bicycle. And Ben proved the old adage about bicycles wrong. “Ben is probably the only person on the face of the Earth who forgot how to ride a bike,” Chuck explains. “Several months after leaving the Marshall Islands, Ben (age 5) had to relearn to ride a bike when we moved to Northern Virginia. He hates that memory still to this day.”

The family settled in the Washington, D.C., area after Chuck’s retirement from the Army, choosing to live near the W&OD Trail in Ashburn, VA, so they could bike often. Chuck and Ben believe cycling is a great activity for families, offering a tremendous low-impact workout. And when you are cycling for 200 miles in the July heat, it allows your family to really bond through the joy of suffering together, they add.

The two have several reasons for deciding to take on this challenge. For one, they believe the AFCEA Educational Foundation runs a really great program, investing in teachers, students and programs that promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. They also recognize that the Cycle for STEM ride transits some of the most beautiful and historic “bike-able” countryside in the Northeast Region of the United States. The two anticipate enjoyment of the beautiful scenery, but since they expect July to be hot, they say they are most looking forward to the cool parts. Their final reason for riding also offers opportunity for personal enjoyment. Neither Chuck nor Ben has even owned bright cycling clothing before. Now they can.

Seriously, though, the family members know the nation has a great need for scientific thinking as well as technological education and training, especially as it faces the enormity of ecological and environmental challenges Baby Boomers like Chuck are leaving to Echo Boomers like Ben. They quote Albert Einstein, saying “The problems we have created cannot be solved with the same thinking that created them,” which probably means that problem causers do not undertake long bike rides for charity.

Chuck and Ben like to keep fit and started jogging the Army Ten-Miler together a few years ago. “When we saw the Cycle for STEM along the C&O Canal Towpath we could not resist—especially the ‘all downhill’ part,” Ben explains.  Chuck adds, “Several years ago when we read of the joining of the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal Towpath forming a 300+ mile riding adventure between Pittsburgh and Washington, we wanted to do it.  Being able to do 200 miles over four days on behalf of a good cause is a great opportunity.”

The two are preparing for the big event not only cycling, but through cross training. Ben, being a personal trainer and being much bigger than Chuck, has them both attending spin classes on the weekends and weight lifting/jogging during the week. Apparently, the family that plays together really does stay together.

Come join Chuck, Ben and all the fun!. You can register at www.afcea.org/events/cycleforstem/14/register.asp.

Ready to be involved but not to hop on a bike? Donate instead. All your generosity goes directly to STEM scholarships. You can give online at www.afcea.org/events/cycleforstem/14/donate.asp.

Like our Facebook page to participate in our good times and see the personalities of our core team. And follow us on Twitter via @cycleforstem. Your interaction on social media is important to us and we’d love to hear from you. Hashtag on all social media is #c4stem. You can also email us at [email protected].

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Meet Our Riders: Bobby Steele

“Consider this: Signing up provides a great impetus to prepare, to plan and to galvanize your community to be involved. Sign up and do your best; you won’t regret the decision.”

U.S Army Captain Bobby Steele signed up for Cycle for STEM without even being within U.S. borders. While stationed at Kaiserslautern in Germany, he heard about the event, and knowing his next assignment was northern Virginia, signed up to join the team. Bobby explains that preparing for the ride has offered him the chance to meet other cyclists in the D.C. area, which was important to him, because overseas he was highly involved with the Kaiserslautern Military Community Cycling Club. The group promotes mountain and road biking to German and American members.

He also has higher ideals driving his decision to join the July trip. “Foremost, I am using the ride to promote the AFCEA Educational Foundation’s STEM grants and scholarships, because I feel STEM education is of value in the world now and for the foreseeable future,” Bobby explains. Cycle for STEM actively campaigns to raise money for the foundation and spreads the word about STEM education through social media and in other AFCEA literature. “Also, for me, Cycle for STEM forces me to network with other IT professionals everywhere I go as I try to promote the ride and drum up support for my personal fundraising site,” he says.

And then there’s the fun of cycling! Bobby believes riding the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath together looks like a good challenge. “I am most looking forward to day three of the ride,” he says. “Day one will be pretty easy, as it will be the first day on the bike. By day three, reality will set in, my legs will be sore, and I will begin to wonder why I ever signed up for such an event. That is always the part of a ride I remember most.”

Since arriving in Virginia about a month ago, Bobby has managed to meet with the other Cycle for STEM team members once, but planning for that ride has influenced his decisions on how and where he will bike leading up to the big event this summer. He’s joined right into the organization’s camaraderie. “I did greatly appreciate that Terry [Rogers, co-founder of Cycle for STEM] loaned me his spare bicycle while I awaited arrived of my personal effects from Germany, which allowed me to ride with the group, and commute to work until my bikes arrived.”

Bobby’s preparations for July are pretty simple. He cycles the three-and-a-half miles to his work each day and tries to ride 30 to 50 miles each weekend. For the past three years, he has commuted and done road rides and mountain biking. He completed several bucket-list rides in Europe and signed up for the 64-mile slice of the Patuxent River Rural Legacy ride at the end of May.

Being new to the ride for 2014 hasn’t stopped Bobby from jumping right in and getting involved with the activities that surround the actual Cycle for STEM ride itself. He plays an active role on social media and suggests times for people to get together with their bikes. Coming from the perspective of someone new to the cause, he highly encourages others to get involved. “If you think you want to ride with us, but aren’t sure about your ability to complete the ride, or to raise the money, consider this: Signing up provides a great impetus to prepare, to plan and to galvanize your community to be involved. Sign up and do your best; you won’t regret the decision.”

  Come join Bobby and his fellow riders. You can register at www.afcea.org/events/cycleforstem/14/register.asp.

Ready to be involved but not to hop on a bike? Donate instead. All your generosity goes directly to STEM scholarships. You can give online at www.afcea.org/events/cycleforstem/14/donate.asp.

Like our Facebook page to participate in our fun and see the personalities of our core team. And follow us on Twitter via @cycleforstem. Your interaction in social media is important to us and we’d love to hear from you. Hashtag on all social media is #c4stem. You can also email us at [email protected].

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Meet Our Riders: Sean McGowan

“It’s a hell of a lot of fun and I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”

Sean McGowan is one of the co-founders of Cycle for STEM [previously profiled Terry Rogers is the other] and he brings to the table a lot of passion and not a little bit of competitive spirit. “I can’t imagine sitting it out if Ben [Smith, another rider, see his profile here] and Terry are doing it,” Sean says of his participation during 2014. “I’d never hear the end of it. Plus, I’m a co-founder! How bad would it look if I quit after one year? There were a few times on the C&O Canal last year where I was convinced one time was enough and that I’d be happy to come along as a member of the support team in 2014. Luckily, I got over that pretty quick.”

His two main reasons for participating this year are different,though. Sean aims to support the AFCEA Educational Foundation by raising money for its scholarships and grants program while raising awareness of STEM education. Plus, “It’s a hell of a lot of fun and I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he states.

The event promotes the importance of STEM education and serves as the Educational Foundation’s signature fundraising event. Sean expects the ride to grow to include AFCEA members and chapters around the world in future years. “I think in terms of fundraising possibilities, this really opens us up to sponsorships from nontraditional companies from both the cycling and STEM communities, not to mention its application to important issues like physical fitness and the environment,” he explains. “Ben already touched on the STEM skills gap in the U.S. [again, Ben’s statements here] so I won’t repeat what he said. I do feel really strongly that both the STEM Teachers Scholarships and the Teaching Tools grants programs are innovative and important, and I’m happy we can make a significant contribution to both.”

Sean is big on camaraderie, and his favorite part of the 2013 ride was spending time with the other team members. He states that, “It provided me a chance to strengthen existing friendships and build new friendships with people whom I may not have otherwise had the opportunity to meet—Matt and I don’t even speak the same language! [Matt is Matt Kitchin and, you guessed it, you can read his profile, too.]  Having dinner with the entire team every night was one of my favorite memories. Heck, it was the only time I’d ever see Mockford [Andy Mockford. No profile, though.] since he rides twice as fast as I do!  I was going to list a favorite evening, but they all were great in their own way.  Beating everyone at air hockey at Al’s [Al Mink, no profile, but stay tuned!] place on the last night was definitely a highlight, though!”

This year, Sean most looks forward to presenting a grant or scholarship in a town each day of the ride. And he’s excited to stay in two new towns and to experience the trail during the summer. “I’m also looking forward to the 26 miles of uninterrupted downhill from the Eastern Continental Divide into Cumberland to end Day 2,” he says.  “Finally, and most importantly, I’m looking forward to not being cold. EVER AGAIN.” Last year’s event took place in October, mostly amidst pouring rain.

To prepare for the 330+ miles the ride covers, Sean decided to train early. “In an effort to challenge myself to greater athletic heights, I didn’t do any training from the end of the ’13 ride in October until mid-December,” he explains sagely. “At least that’s my story. Now I’m just trying to make up for lost time and ride as much as I possibly can, either on my new indoor trainer or outside. I’m also planning to buy a new Cyclocross bike soon so I can keep up with Ben and Terry. Peer pressure strikes again.”

For anyone on the fence about participating for 2014, Sean offers this encouragement: “Don’t think about it, do it. You’ll get in great shaping training for the ride, even the one-day option, and your sense of accomplishment at the end will make it all worthwhile.”

He also offers some lessons learned. “Plastic forks and knives are subpar utensils for tackling the amazing Belgian waffles found at motel breakfast bars. In 2014, I’m packing my own silverware.” Continuing his trend of naming as many people as possible in one profile and giving them credit, Sean shares that, “Finding the time to train is the hardest thing for me. I’ve got two boys and it’s tough for me to spend the better part of a weekend day riding on a routine basis. My wife Angela has been very supportive of this whole endeavor. I would not have been able to participate in Cycle for STEM without her being so awesome about it.” 

  There’s still time to join Sean and his fellow riders. You can sign up at www.afcea.org/events/cycleforstem/14/register.asp.

Ready to be involved but not to hop on a bike? Donate instead. All your generosity goes directly to STEM scholarships. You can give online at www.afcea.org/events/cycleforstem/14/donate.asp.

Like our Facebook page to participate in our fun and see the personalities of our core team. And follow us on Twitter via @cycleforstem. Your interaction in social media is important to us and we’d love to hear from you. Hashtag on all social media is #c4stem. You can also email us at [email protected].

[cycleforstem]

Meet Our Riders: Matthew Kitchin

“This is a great bunch of people to do this sort of ride with. There’s no pressure and ample encouragement and help along the way.”

Cycle for STEM takes place in the United States, but since its inception, it’s been an international affair. Last year, two citizens of Commonwealth countries participated, including Australian Army Lt. Col. Matthew Kitchin. (The other was Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Andrew Mockford.) Matt jumped in whole hog to the Cycle for STEM effort, offering not only to ride, but also to serve as a member of our steering committee. He remains deeply involved in 2014. “Having been a rider in the inaugural event, I want to help grow the ride into something more substantial, meet new riders joining the group and help make 2014 an even better event,” he says.

An interest in cycling and desire to improve STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, led to the founding of the effort by Matt’s now-friends Sean McGowan and Terry Rogers. “Their enthusiasm brought other people, literally, along for the ride, which achieved the goal of raising awareness of STEM education,” Matt explains. He puns that efforts to raise awareness are a cycle—social media initiated this year helps further awareness of the ride, highlighting the importance of STEM education, bringing sponsors on board. With each new sponsor, the awareness grows and the importance of the ride goes up. “I am extremely excited to have been part of this almost from the beginning,” he says. Matt even came up with the hashtag used across Cycle for STEM social media—#c4stem.

His favorite parts of last year were riding with a group that had common purposes (including advancing education), achieving a safe and successful ride and helping each other. This year, he looks forward to a trip with no rain.

Matt’s New Year’s resolution was to ride 2,014 miles by the time our big event begins in July. “But then Mother Nature kicked in,” he says ruefully. “Harford County [where he lives] has broken most records for snowfall this winter, so the riding has been pretty restricted (indoor trainers don’t count!). I have been running, so hopefully that will keep the cross-fitness up and the weight down until I can get back on the bike in earnest. Then I’ll try and pick up the lost miles and start the year’s racing schedule with my mountain bike racing team.” He rides for the Bike Shop of Bel Air team; the shop is a Friend of Cycle for STEM.

As with all of our riders, Matt stresses that this event is not restricted to hard-core cyclists. “It’s a long way, but the time available is reasonable and the trails are first rate," he shares. "With some reasonable preparation and training, anybody can do this. And this is a great bunch of people to do this sort of ride with. There’s no pressure and ample encouragement and help along the way. Final piece of advice: you don’t have to have the world’s best or lightest or newest bike to do this ride, but some preventative maintenance by your local bike shop, and a few dollars spent replacing or servicing components, will pay dividends and reduce downtime on the trail. But if you want them, you’ll get heaps of advice and help on that from the group before we go, too."

When he returns to Australia at the end of 2015, he hopes to contribute to the international expansion of Cycle for STEM, explaining, “Taking part in 2013 helped me meet a great bunch of people and contribute to a worthwhile cause. I’d like to see some of the fruits of my labor make it to STEM programs in Australia and ultimately see an Australian-based Cycle for STEM in the not-too-distant future.”

  There’s still time to join the Matt and his fellow riders. You can sign up at www.afcea.org/events/cycleforstem/14/register.asp.

Ready to be involved but not to hop on a bike? Donate instead. All your generosity goes directly to STEM scholarships. You can give online at www.afcea.org/events/cycleforstem/14/donate.asp.

Come make friends with Matt and all the Cycle for STEM riders. Like our Facebook page to participate in our fun and see the personalities of our core team. And follow us on Twitter via @cycleforstem. Your interaction in social media is important to us and we’d love to hear from you. Hashtag on all social media is #c4stem. You can also email us at [email protected].

[cycleforstem]

We Need You! Help Cycle for STEM Win $10,000

HELP CYCLE FOR STEM EARN $10,000! Please vote for us in the WTOP Click for a Cause contest.

Do you value education? Fitness? The environment? Camaraderie? An underdog? You can help support any or all of those with a single click of your mouse.

Cycle for STEM is a contestant in an event hosted by D.C.-area radio station WTOP. We could win $10,000 if we garner the most votes in our category, or $5,000 is advertising if we take second place in our category. We are so much smaller than many of our competitors so every vote really, really matters! You can vote for Cycle for STEM by following the link below and clicking on the “like” button at the bottom of the write-up (you need an active Facebook account to vote). The contest is open through Friday.

http://www.wtop.com/1423/3601983/AFCEA-Educational-Foundations-Cycle-for-STEM

These funds will directly fund STEM education scholarships and grants. Your votes also show you care about cycling, which is good for the environment and personal fitness, team spirit and a small, grassroots campaign looking to improve the world. Thank you!

[cycleforstem]

Meet Our Riders: Terry Rogers

“Cycling is great individually–it’s even more fun as a group! Come out and join us.”

  Terry Rogers is more than just a cyclist in Cycle for STEM, he’s one of the co-founders along with his good friend Sean McGowan. So it’s no surprise that Terry is participating in July’s event, though his motivations are far from self-serving. Terry emphasizes that first and foremost, this event is about supporting education, specifically science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. The ride serves as a platform to raise awareness of and funds for STEM initiatives; the money goes to deserving students and teachers through scholarships and grants from the AFCEA Educational Foundation. Cycle for STEM is the signature fundraiser for the foundation, which needs the support to continue to hand out awards. Corporate sponsors and individual donors help make this possible when they give to Cycle for STEM.

And while Terry is undoubtedly a passionate and dedicated man, he’s always interested in having as much fun as possible. So he rides in part because he says, “It’s a great time!” The trip is beautiful with gorgeous trails through unique and interesting towns. “Additionally, it’s a fantastic way to challenge yourself—and the feeling of accomplishment when complete is amazing,” he explains. But more than anything, it’s the people who make the difference. Terry made new friends during Cycle for STEM 2013, and he also got to know his former friends and people he’d work with for years much better. “I’m looking forward to that same experience again in 2014,” Terry says.

What did he enjoy most about last year? Just about everything! “The best parts were the feeling of accomplishment of taking the event from inception to execution in just three months and seeing what a success it became, even exceeding the fundraising goal,” Terry explains. “And, the camaraderie during the week with the support team and the fellow riders. Unlike most of the riders, I actually loved (for the most part) the weather challenges we faced. It made the event even more powerful–it would have been easy to give up on either of the two days of record-setting rainfall. But we plowed through it because we believed in what we were doing. That makes for a great story, for great memories and shows how meaningful the cause is. To be out there riding for 50+ miles in mud so deep and thick that it had to be hosed off the riders in a high-pressure carwash shows the dedication and belief of the team. Also, I might be the only person who actually enjoyed riding through that slop–it was just sheer fun to be riding in conditions that were better suited for fish than for bicycles.”

This year, Terry is most looking forward to more folks participating. “The size of the team in 2013 was perfect for the first time doing it–we were able to see what worked and didn’t work, and we’re using those lessons to make Cycle For STEM 2014 even better,” he explains. Now, the team needs the event to grow in size. Last year was powerful with 14 people executing the seven-day ride. Just think of the power if that group were multiplied two, three or even four times!

To prepare for 2014, Terry bought a new bike. “And I’m going to ride the heck out of it!” Terry exclaims. He’s getting out quite a bit despite the weather challenges in the D.C. area, but plans to step it up. His goal is to average 150 or more miles each week between March and June.

So, are you still sitting on the fence about joining in this fantastic event? “Anybody can do this ride,” Terry encourages. “We had cyclists of all skill, experience and fitness levels in 2013. It takes some training and a lot of motivation, but the feeling of accomplishment for contributing to a great cause and the personal satisfaction makes it well worth it.”

If you feel you don’t have the time to train, one option might be commuting by bike if you have a safe route. Terry’s daily commute is 30 miles roundtrip. With D.C. traffic, the bike takes little longer than the car. About 60 percent of the miles Terry put into training last year were commuter miles and he expects that to increase for 2014. If you live in the D.C. area, the team does regular weekend rides. You can follow us on Facebook and Twitter to learn where and when.

As you’ve already learned, Terry is an enthusiastic man with a penchant for big plans. He wants to see Cycle for STEM expand to an around-the-world event, saying “2014 is the first step on that journey. Thanks to everyone who has and will support Cycle for STEM.”

  Come make friends with Terry and all of the Cycle for STEM team. You can learn more about joining on our website. Also, come check out our Facebook page to participate in our fun and see the personalities of our core team. You can email [email protected] to request specific information. And follow us on Twitter via @cycleforstem. Your interaction in social media is important to us and we’d love to hear from you. Hashtag on all social media is #c4stem.

[cycleforstem]

Meet Our Riders: Ben Smith

“If I can do it, you can too.”—Ben Smith

  Ben Smith is riding in Cycle for STEM 2014 to support the overall effort of all the event stands for—supporting the AFCEA Educational Foundation and raising money for its science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) scholarship program. He explains that “American students face a skills gap in STEM subjects. The Cycle for STEM initiative hopes to narrow that gap by providing scholarships to college students who are studying science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics – especially those who plan to use their education to teach STEM subjects after they graduate. It also supports existing teachers with grants intended to help them augment STEM activities for their students.

“While the event’s primary tangible benefit is the financial support we are able to provide to deserving STEM teachers and students, it’s also an innovative way of raising awareness of the STEM skills gap and encouraging others to get involved.”

Like all the cyclists who participated last year, Smith feels that the fellowship on the ride was the best part. The camaraderie developed among the riders and the support team has developed into friendships that remain in place today. “Of course, there’s also a huge sense of accomplishment derived from riding one’s bike 335 miles!” Ben adds.

This year, he’s looking forward to better weather on the trail. In 2013, rain fell on the riders almost every day, making for cold and muddy conditions. Ben feels he’s a little behind where he wants to be at this point in terms of training for the July ride. He’s been riding inside but isn’t fully comfortable with his trainer yet. He’d like to get outdoors for a ride before work, but the 15-degree weather makes it difficult. So he’s trying to maximize time outside on weekends.

Smith encourages anyone and everyone to come out and participate this year. “As I said recently, I was the ‘well, if that guy can do it’ rider from Cycle for STEM 2013,” he explains. “I was overweight and hadn’t exercised regularly for years.” He only started training in June for an October ride, which he completed in its entirety. “There were a couple of times when I really had to dig deep to find the motivation to carry on, but knowing the support team was just a couple miles up the trail with celery and a refill for my Camelbak helped me keep my legs pumping.”

    Come make friends with Ben and all of the Cycle for STEM team. You can learn more about joining on our website. Also, come check out our Facebook page to participate in our fun and see the personalities of our core team. You can email [email protected] to request specific information. And follow us on Twitter via @cycleforstem. Your interaction in social media is important to us and we’d love to hear from you. Hashtag on all social media is #c4stem.