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CaptionUpdate 1/19: The cyclists have arrived in Washington D.C. See pictures above.
A group of Raleigh cyclists will not only be attending a memorable presidential inauguration, but the way they will get to Capitol Hill will also be one to talk about.
Matt Huffman, Darryl Jones and their other friend Matt will brave the frigid temperatures as they embark on their four-day, almost 300 mile trip to Washington D.C. to witness the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.
The trio says this trip will be furthest they've ever traveled and hope others decide to join along.
"It'd be nice if we could pick up, oh, several other bikers 'Forrest Gump' style," Jones said.
Jones is especially pumped up about the inauguration because he worked on Obama's presidential campaign.
The organizer of the trek, Matt Huffman, said they'll also spread their own message about the economy and environment.
"We wanted to say look at this, this is how we can move, how we can travel," Huffman said.
But while morale is high, the high temperatures will be low at their daily starting points.
The riders can expect highs of around 41 degrees in Raleigh on Thursday; 29 degrees in South Hill, Va. on Friday; 36 degrees in Midlothian, Va. on Saturday and 38 degrees in Fredericksburg, Va. on Sunday morning. By the time they arrive in Washington, the high is expected to be around 35 degrees with a chance of snow.
Huffman said he and his friends are packing plenty of cold weather gear.
"There were so many things that were going to make it difficult, but at some point you just say, you layer up with clothing, you make sure you have all the supplies you have and you just go out and do it," Huffman said.
As for where they'll stay at night, they'll bring cold weather camping gear, but may choose a hotel depending on how they are feeling. But no matter where they sleep or how they travel, Jones said the trip isn't negotiable.
"There was no way we were going to miss this, it will be the most amount of people that have ever gathered in an outdoor space in America in modern history, and I want to see that," Jones said.
The group plans to hit the road around 8 a.m. on Thursday and plans to return to the Triangle via train.
You can track the four day journey by clicking here for a link to the group's blog.
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Comments
By Matt Huffman on 01/24 04:09 PM
Thanks for all the positive comments and support, folks. We ended up logging over 300 miles total, raised several hundred dollars for refugees in impoverished countries and had an absolute and utter blast seeing our president’s inauguration.
And just to clear the air: we do have normal jobs, did graduate from college and no part of this trip was funded by our wonderful and loving parents. :)
By SN on 01/19 11:23 PM
They arrived, just as they had planned, at the Lincoln Memorial in time to hear the concert. They biked a total of 277 miles. Just today, they were able to get tickets to attend the ceremony through someone who knows someone who knows someone having to do with the campaign offices in Raleigh and DC. Even with tickets, they plan to get up at 4 am to get in line. They will post more pictures and stories of the trip on their blog site soon.
By BCS on 01/19 07:16 PM
Have you arrived at your destination? Would love to hear all about it. You have done something that very few people could do, and I applaud your efforts. Will you be attending the inauguration?
By I swear.... on 01/18 12:59 PM
I know two of these guys personally and they are great guys who would give you the shirt off their back. They’ve been working on this trek for quite some time and did not do it further their own egos in any way shape or form. There is nothing wrong with doing something for the sake of possibly never having the chance to experience something like this again in your lifetime. They’re excited about the change that is being brought about come Tuesday and there is absolutely nothing wrong with expressing that. You may be doing it a different way but is anyone giving you crap for it? Didn’t think so.
By Mike on 01/16 11:42 AM
Haha, I know one of these guys and he’s a complete tool.
But still kind of neat.
By Mark on 01/16 12:58 AM
Jeez, guys, its local news! Of course they are fawning over something like this and what’s wrong with that? Oh no, college grads are getting exercise! Isn’t that good?
To all you complainers, why don’t you get off your lazy butts and ride a bike, too? I can’t believe how many assumptions you guys are making about these people. How do you know they don’t have jobs or contribute to society? Maybe some people like an occasional news story that is uplifting and sets a good example. Get a life people, and stop tearing others down just for the hell of it.
By NJ on 01/15 08:07 PM
Grow up and let these guys have some fun.
By Not true on 01/15 06:10 PM
They’re not inspiring anyone but their own egos. Get real and do some actual good. Some that doesn’t get you on TV and some that may DIRECTLY help ANYONE other than yourselves.
By Anonymous on 01/15 12:59 PM
To “Gavin” and “What?” and anyone else with something critical and negative to say:
Although I don’t know all of them personally, I know some of them, and can tell you that they graduated from college, have jobs, pay taxes, have little to no financial support from parents, and most certainly have “done goodwill anonymously.”
Whether or not they “believe that people (families, business people, tourists, etc) would ever actually travel like this” (What?)completely misses the point. Idealism in young people (everyone, for that matter) has been sorely lacking in recent years. I for one, applaud the efforts of these guys for their idealism and their spirit.
People like this inspire others to get off their butts and push themselves to go “outside the envelope” of their comfort zones. That, I believe, is the message and not simply “people should ride their bikes more.” Lastly, the media found them, it wasn’t the other way around.
By Hey on 01/15 09:31 AM
Leave them alone. They think they’re doing something good. At least they’re not breaking any laws. Hell, they probably are. Check their pockets for weed!
And I’m sure they’ll stay warm. I’m sure they’ll stay in hotels if their parents give them enough money.
By gavin on 01/15 09:22 AM
i don’t get it.
if you want to help the economy/deficit, shouldn’t you work hard, earn a great wage, pay taxes, and contribute to the economy?
oh, bless you, hippies. ever done any goodwill anonymously? i suspect not. :)
By What? on 01/15 09:10 AM
“Inspire people not to forget what was created during the campaign,” Jones said.
Translation: Inspire people to look at me
“We wanted to say look at this, this is how we can move, how we can travel,” Huffman said.
Translation: Look at us! We want attention for riding bicycles. Oh, no we don’t really believe that people (families, business people, tourists, etc) would ever actually travel like this. But please do continue to look at us!
My guess is that none of these guys have a real job. College students minus the college.
By BCS on 01/15 08:12 AM
Best of luck on your adventure. I will be very interested to know about the hurdles you encounter. Keep us posted.
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