Cyclists Stop in Romeoville During Coast-to-Coast Bike Trek

They’ve braved extreme heat and storms, taking shelter wherever they can, whether it’s a school, church or a campsite.

On Wednesday, about 15 bicyclists — some part of a 3,600-mile, coast-to-coast trek that began June 14 — arrived in Romeoville to rest along their journey with a five-day stopover at .

The riders are raising money to support the Lasallian Volunteers through donations and sponsorships as part of the annual LVs Ride trip from Warrenton, Oregon, to Long Branch, New Jersey.

“They started with their back tires in the Pacific Ocean in Oregon, and they will land in New Jersey with their front tires in the Atlantic Ocean,” said Lisa Salazar, senior events coordinator at Lewis University. Salazar was just one of the many Lewis staffers who turned out to greet the cyclists as they arrived at the university.

The riders’ arrival at Lewis coincided with the university’s orientation for more than 50 new Lasallian Volunteers.

The Lasallian Volunteers Program, dedicated primarily to supporting efforts sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, aims to serve the poor by linking volunteers with schools and social service organizations throughout the United States.

Lasallian Volunteers Director Jolleen Wagner said the goal of the nationwide ride is threefold: to raise money to support the program, to raise awareness about widespread problem of poverty in America and to encourage volunteerism.

“[The goal is] to encourage people to in the communities they visit to serve in any capacity,” Wagner stressed, whether it’s service with a Christian Brothers organization or any other volunteer effort.

The riders hope to raise $100,000 and, more than halfway through the two-month ride, are nearly there, with fundraising at about $80,000, Salazar said.

While dozens of riders are joining LVs Ride for a portion of the journey, 12 are making the entire coast-to-coast trek.

That included Karen Giroux of Seattle, Washington, who was welcomed by more than just fellow volunteers when she arrived Wednesday at Lewis. Waiting for Giroux were proud grandparents Pete and Corrine Matt of Naperville, along with her mother, Catherine Giroux of San Francisco, California.

The Naperville couple said they’ve been following the riders’ progress on the LVs Ride website, which includes a tour journal, videos of riders and daily updates on their location.

“We’ve been watching the website constantly,” Pete Matt said.

Wife Corrine admitted she was a bit apprehensive at first when she learned her granddaughter would be making the cross-country ride.

“But so far, they’ve been OK,” she said, noting the riders are followed by a support van just in case an emergency should arise.

The couple was proud of Giroux’ efforts to support the volunteers.

“Oh, it’s great,” Pete Matt said.

Rider Glenna Krzyzanowski said the warm welcome at Lewis was typical of the greeting the group has been getting on their cross-country trek.

“Some people are really excited,” she said.

On Wednesday, the cyclists departed from Rockford, making the 80-mile ride to Romeoville despite getting a stormy start to the day. Rainstorms haven’t been the only severe weather they’ve encountered along the way.

“The heat definitely gave them a run for their money for about four days last week,” Wagner said.

“The heat was really, really hard,” admitted Giroux, saying she and her fellow riders often began their day before dawn to stay cool.

The riders, who will be honored during the university’s FSC (Fratres Scholarum Christianarum) Awards on Friday night, will be resting during their stay at Lewis University, but that doesn’t mean they won’t stay true to the Lasallian Volunteers’ mission of service.

They will be taking part in service projects with area organizations, Wagner said, including offering a bike safety program during Lewis’ Recreational Activities Day Camp on Thursday and Friday.

On Monday, they’ll resume their journey.

Their next stop is Laporte, Indiana, where they’re slated to arrive sometime Monday, Aug. 1. From there, they’ll make their way to Angola, Ohio, then on to Philadelphia, and, on Aug. 14, New Jersey.

For more about the Lasallian Volunteers, LVs Ride or to make a donation, click here.

For more on the riders, who also stopped in Plainfield on Wednesday, check out .