Inspired by their involvement in last year’s national Brake the Cycle tour, parishioners sponsored by St. Bridget’s parish in Connecticut set out on a weeklong bicycle ride in August 2004. Co-organizer Bob King says the ride is only one stage in a multi-year mission - named Brake the Cycle of Poverty – This Time Connecticut to engage others in the efforts of CCHD to end poverty in the United States. Stopping in parishes along the way, the team educated other Catholics about the reality of the 34.6 million people living in poverty throughout the U.S.

One might assume that their goal was solely to educate others, but in reality, they set out to learn for themselves. An information engineer/manager and participant in the ride, Rob De Sesa, shared that he “learned a heck of a lot about poverty,” and “didn’t realize how prevalent it is in our society - how it must feel for someone who is in poverty or who cannot get out of that cycle.”

Among the highlights of their trip were encounters with their Senators and Representatives, with women struggling to find jobs, with youth living in a poor neighborhood rife with violence, with caring Catholics, and with an elderly gentleman walking with a large plastic bag filled with bottles and cans. Charlie Chatterton put into words what so many other cyclists struggled to describe: “These were visions of Jesus on the road.”

Everywhere they went, they challenged others to end poverty by PEDALing – Participate, Educate, Donate, Advocate, and do it all with Love.

They were greeted upon return to New Haven by members of the Hartford diocesan Office of Urban Affairs and Bishop Peter Rosazza. The team will continue their mission beyond this ride by visiting parishes year-round to engage others in PEDALing against poverty.

As they chanted with the beginning of each day’s ride, so too they encourage you to “PEDAL on!”

Start: Manchester, CT Finish: New Haven, CT Begins: August 1, 2004 Ends: August 6, 2004