Three deaf cyclists complete U.S. trip
Daily Moth Guest Reporter Nick Gould:
Hello!
Cyclists:
Hello!
Gould:
I’m with these three, who just biked across the country! Over 4,270-something miles, right?
Cyclists:
Yes.
Gould:
Across 11 states. I’m now here in Virginia Beach with their families around us. How are you feeling?
Isabelle Troup:
I feel thrilled. Proud of my achievements. And at the same time it’s bittersweet.
Bridget Berrigan:
I’m surprised at how nervous I am. It’s a wonderful feeling.
Emilia Beldon:
I’m excited. But I agree that it is bittersweet to finish. It’s the end of a wonderful journey.
Gould:
How did you decide to actually bike across America? How did you agree on that?
Beldon:
I think our most common response to that question is “why not?” Right? Why not bike across America? What else can we do in a summer?
Gould:
I think it is great that you not only rode across the country, but you also fundraised for a charity. Your original goal was $5,000, but as of this morning, it is at almost $15,000. Wow! Congratulations.
Cyclists:
Thank you.
Gould:
So, can you expand more on the charity you fundraised for? Why did you pick this charity?
Troup:
I think you can explain it well.
Berrigan:
(Shows OTG logo on t-shirt). I think it’s a wonderful organization that we are partnering up with. They go to various countries all over the world, including cities in the U.S., that need help after natural disasters. Those in the deaf community are usually the last to know about what is going on, what is coming next. So it is OTG’s mission to support those in deaf communities. Right now they are focused on Haiti, who just experienced an earthquake. Haitians also have terrible human rights with almost none. So we are fundraising because they’re a real small organization that is deaf-run. Not a lot of people know about them. They have been growing lately with some recognition and at the same time we’re fundraising for them. It is an honor to be a part of their growth and to raise $15,000…
Gould:
I’d like to know what was the most challenging part of your bike trip?
Troup:
I think the most challenging part was when I would think about wanting to hurry for a day to be finished. Sometimes it would be a very long day and I just wasn’t in the mood and it was tough to ignore that. Sometimes I would forget about it and it was like “Aahhh” but when I thought about it again, it was tough, but I cycled through it. So that was the toughest part for me.
Beldon:
I think the toughest part is the day after that long day. You know, every day you get up and you have to get moving. You have to cycle. Sometimes I just wasn’t in the mood, sometimes I didn’t want to, but I would think of OTG and the work they do. I know they might not want to do the work or not enjoy it, but they still do it anyway. So you know, we cycle everyday and it gives us that push. It is challenging but it feels good to accomplish it.
Berrigan:
Yes. We cycled in 100-degree weather. Sometimes it was even hotter. That is hard. It isn’t easy.
Beldon:
The hail. The rainstorms.
Berrigan:
In the hail, too! It was a mental challenge that we went through. It truly tested our abilities to max out. It just feels good.
2.1 Full-screen image: FB/bbttakeonamerica “We’ve DONE it. Four thousand three hundred and seventy MILES, the equivalent of running around the track 17,480 times… just a lifetime’s experience better!”
2.2 Full-screen image: Map showing route the BBT team took from Washington State to Virginia Beach.
[Sponsored Video from Convo: https://www.convorelay.com/download ]
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Gould:
Now that you are finished with bicycling, what is next for you?
Beldon:
I’m going back to school. I have one more year. I play soccer and basketball at Gallaudet University.
Troup:
I plan to start my graduate school. I’m going to start on that soon.
Berrigan:
I’m going to go back home and look for jobs. And hopefully plan my next trip.
Beldon:
Yes, definitely, we’ll have our next trip soon. The three of us, right?
Berrigan:
Yes, a reunion!
Gould:
Again, congratulations. It’s very inspiring to see your trip.
Cyclists:
Thank you.