"A life-changing experience."
That was the term used repeatedly by the young men representing Push America's "Journey of Hope" as they sat and shared supper and later bowled with members of Marshalltown's Association for Retarded Citizens at the Totem Bowl early Sunday evening.
The men's comments were generated from their experiences to date cycling nearly 2,000 miles from San Francisco, living with fellow cyclists and visiting with disabled citizens along the way.
They have another 2,000 miles to ride.
Part of Sunday's work was cycling 65 miles from West Des Moines to Marshalltown's Community College.
"Yesterday and today were the two hottest days we've had on the trip so far," said PA trip manager Nick Jones. "Everybody stays really hydrated. The way we do that is we have crew stops every 10 miles. Our six vehicles carry 10 gallon water jugs. So during the ride, they (the cyclists) can fill up every 10 miles. One or two bottles of water at max and they are okay on the road."
Push America is a not-for-profit philanthropic organization covering 32 states, according to its website pushamerica.org
It was started in 1977 by members of the Phi Kappa Phi fraternity.
In 1988, a team began the Journey of Hope bicycle ride from either Seattle or San Francisco to Washington, D.C. to bring more attention to the group's mission.
Every summer since, team members have made the cross-country trek.
Getting to know personally those with disabilities is a critical part of the group's purpose. They regularly participate in events such as those at the Totem Bowl, according to Jones.
"Part of our job when we visit with the disabled is to let them know of the abilities they do have," said team member Alex Wagner of Detroit, Mich. Wagner recently graduated from the University of Michigan with physical education degree.
Additionally, PA awards grants to organizations like ARC.
Last year's it awarded a grant to Marshalltown's Parks and Recreation department to purchase equipment for summer activities.
"PA is a four-star rated organization," said public relations coordinator Ron Ransenberg. "Approximately 84 percent of the money raised goes back to organizations like ARC."
The group which stopped here, was comprised of a 42-member team, with 35 cyclists (representing 21 different colleges and universities) and seven support crew, left San Francisco June 12.
Marshalltown is a familiar stop for them. Sunday's visit marked the 21st visit here.
Event coordinator Jacey Stewart of Marshalltown said the visit is a highlight for many ARC members.
Approximately 100 ARC, family and friends were in attendance
"Some our members look forward to this event all year long," she said. "We are grateful to Mechdyne (a Marshalltown business) for sponsoring tonight's activities."
Event get-togethers are usual fare for ARC members, according to Terry Pilkington, whose foster son, Tim Cunningham, is an ARC member.
"ARC has activities every Wednesday," said Pilkington. "They are varied and special ranging from trips to Adventureland to Iowa Cubs baseball games.
"We are very, very fortunate to have an ARC program like this one."
ARC member Vance Backoff and PA's Will McLeane of Little Rock, Ark. got together after supper and were busy setting up the electronic score sheet at their lane.
Backoff was well prepared with a sweat towel and wrist strap.
McLeane, a history major at the University of North Carolina, said he wasn't very good but Backoff wasn't buying the claim.
"We'll see," Backoff said.
After setting up the scoresheet Backoff explained to McLeane many details of the severe storm which hit Central Iowa last week.
"We were in Nebraska, settled in for the night when it us," McLeane said.
After bowling the PA team would adjourn to MMCC, which provided overnight accommodations.
"We'll get up at 6 a.m., with one-half hour to get ready, then have breakfast and hit the road for our next stop, Cedar Rapids," said Ransenberg. "The forecast for Iowa this week looks like it's going to be hot the rest of the way."
