About five months ago, I wrote about the premiere of a movie, Ride Crazy: The Single Man March, which told the story of United States Marine Corps veteran Camilo Atehortua’s 520-mile bike ride from Boston to Washington, DC. The purpose of the ride was to raise money and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project.
Recently, I heard from Anthony Barounis, the film’s director/producer about the outcome of their efforts. The screening I wrote about raised $1,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project. Subsequent screenings have helped another organization, Bikes Not Bombs, which uses the bicycle as a vehicle for social change.
In addition, I was told that the Ride Crazy web site had been redesigned with new goals in mind. To that end, they have decided to start a web series. The first episode of this series has been posted. It picks up where the film, “Ride Crazy: The Single Man March” left off.
Now, of course, being the curious person that I am, I had to check this out. The video features a closer look at Via Bicycle in Philadelphia and an explanation of a negative experience that took place at Independence Hall, during the ride.
In all honesty, there wasn’t enough background information posted on the site to acquaint someone who had not seen the movie with the subjects covered in the first episode of the web series. Information about the web series itself, and why they are doing it, was also absent.
Nonetheless, it piqued my curiosity, in part because I knew from Anthony’s e-mail what the goal of the new site was. So, I searched for Via Bicycle to get more background information about them.
As it turns out, they provided a very interesting account of who they were. On the “About Us” page of their web site they describe themselves as follows:
“Via Bicycle has been in business since 1982 and has primary been a used bicycle shop. We have bought out many bike shops and specialize in selling reliable bicycles for city commuting. We also have a fully capable shop that builds wheels, overhauls everything from basic 3 speed and coaster brake hubs to exotic turn of the century bicycles. Having been in business for all those years, we have acquired many odds and ends. We have been selling on Ebay since 1999 and are Silver Power Sellers, which basically means we are honest and fair.”
There was one really amusing thing on the Via Bicycle web site, which is worth sharing. It is a warning to potential shoppers:
“Please do not just drop by trying to find the rarest stuff on earth, remember that we are a full service shop, and repairs are what pays the bills. Email before coming and have a list of stuff that you are looking for. Calling on the Telephone is not recommended, as the guy in charge of inventory(what is on the website and all other rare stuff) is on another floor in the building. We have four floors, and the first floor is sales(NOT COLLECTIBLE) and repair. That is the phone line that you will find online, if you feel so inclined to track us down. They cannot really help you with anything that is not relating bicycle repair. That is why we do not have the Phone number on the website. Sorry to sound militant, but the best and recommended way of contacting us is through email.”
Not only are these people characters, but if you watch the Ride Crazy video and look at the photos on the Via Bicycle web site, you will see that their shop is packed with bicycle stuff from floor to ceiling. (You can also get a glimpse of the stuff in the screenshot I posted above.) It would be fun to visit the shop to look around. But judging by their harsh warning to people looking for “the rarest stuff on earth,” they would probably frown upon such activities.
But, I digress.
As I was saying, the Ride Crazy project has a new goal. They’re trying to galvanize a strong community in Boston. The purpose of the community is to promote the use of bicycles as an alternative therapy for people. This idea came about because, over time, they have learned that many people use bikes to help them get through problems in their lives. Even though their struggles may be unique, they have something in common — their passion for bicycling.
To accommodate these riders, the Ride Crazy web site has installed a new discussion forum. Local (Massachusetts) riders should check it out. Many of us have turned to our bikes during difficult times or have friends who have done so. Having a place to meet up and talk about it might make things easier for people who need cycling as a form of therapy.
And my national and international readers might want to check it out too, if only as a basis for starting similar projects in their own areas. After all, using a bike as an alternative therapy is really a universal phenomenon.
Cycling can heal people physically and mentally. And it can help people to revive themselves to a point where they can grow stronger and fitter. Yet sometimes they can’t do it alone. They need support and camaraderie. Ride Crazy is trying to fill this niche. And only with the support of the local cycling community can they make this work. Please consider playing a role in helping to make this vision a reality.
