Kansas City, MO, February 15, 2010

Cycling for Change, a 5000 mile bicycle trek led by a Jesuit priest from Kansas City, announces the 12 riders participating in the cross-country ride. From Memorial Day to Labor Day 2010, the Cycling for Change team will travel across the nation through rural towns and metropolitan cities to raise awareness of the need to help the more than 40 million Americans living below the poverty line.

Inspired after reading Catholic Charities USA Campaign to Reduce Poverty, Fr. Matthew Ruhl, S.J. decided to combine his passion for the poor with his passion for cycling to promote this innovative plan to reduce poverty – thus Cycling for Change was born. Describing his goals for the trip, Fr. Ruhl said, “I have worked many years in the inner-city and have witnessed firsthand the devastation wrought by poverty. When it is all said and done, I hope and pray the Cycling for Change ride bolsters considerably the efforts of Catholic Charities USA to cut poverty in half in this country by 2020.”

The twelve cyclists joining Fr. Matt on the 5000 mile journey come from all walks of life. Ranging in age from 24 to 63, they are lawyers, doctors, social workers, photographers and retired volunteers. What motivates these cyclists to walk away from their families, homes and careers for 100 grueling days on a bike? As Karl Schafer, a physical therapist from Kansas City put it, “It’s about the poor. It’s believing that we as a nation have to address the epidemic of poverty in this country – and we have to do it now.”

Thousands of additional riders are expected to join for parts of the ride as it moves across the country. Events supporting the cause will be held in many of the 85 cities along the route. For additional information on the route, how you can participate and available sponsorship opportunities, visit www.cyclingforchange.org or contact Suzanne Cronkhite at or 816.714.2380.