Cycling trip follows trail from slavery to freedom
April 1, 2007
By:Ervin Dyer
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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Growing up in the South, Gertrude Frances remembers that some of her favorite stories were of the Underground Railroad.
At her mom's knee, the social worker from Manchester reveled in the tales of escaped slaves and imagined the brave Africans who risked their lives to gain freedom to be her ancestors. In school, she did many a book report on "Uncle Tom's Cabin," fascinated by the abolitionist movement in Harriet Beecher Stowe's ground-breaking novel.
Under cover of night, she was told, nameless freedom seekers would steal into the dark woods, following the stars to the North.
Centuries later, the old adage of "what's done in the dark will come to light" is proving to be true for the once-hidden passages and paths that thousands of enslaved Africans followed to liberty.
Today, in the light of a new age, after three years of planning, cyclists can learn of some of America's Underground Railroad history from a new bicycle route of 2,100 miles that tracks from coastal Alabama up to Canada.
The route was conceived in partnership with the Adventure Cycling Association, North America's largest bicycling organization, and the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Minority Health.
"The Underground Railroad Route has to be one of the most historically important bicycle journeys ever created -- plus it's fantastic riding," said Jim Sayer, Adventure Cycling Association's executive director.
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Mobile was chosen as a starting point because it once served as an entry point for slave ships. The Canadian end point of Owen Sound bills itself as "the Underground Railroad's most northerly safe haven" and is set to celebrate its 150th year of being a place where runaway slaves made their homes.
The route is now at least four years in the making. There are also spurs planned that will connect different regions to the original route. One spur is planned from Erie to Pittsburgh, with the hope of eventually connecting to Washington, D.C. The research and mapping of the route begins next month, and it is scheduled to open at summer's end. No historical destinations have been chosen as part of the spur as of yet.
Other than the lush green scenery and the many small towns the route passes through, a host of museums, historic parks and visitor centers along the way will bring the history of this remarkable period alive.
According to Adventure Cycling, more people than ever are traveling by bicycle, and the Underground Railroad, with its poignant stories and vibrant historical sites, adds new depth to the experience. It should appeal to history lovers, African-Americans and adventurous people looking for a great ride.
It was easy to figure out the Adventure Cycling connection to this venture: get more people on bikes. But why the involvement of Pitt's Center for Minority Health?
There were plenty of reasons, said Dr. Stephen Thomas, director of the center. The project's goals included diversifying the demographics of the bicycling set, while encouraging black Americans to seek out their cultural history and perhaps most important, get them to improve their health through biking.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, African-Americans are disproportionately affected by heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke and obesity. Bicycling is a fun, healthy activity that can help offset these potentially deadly health conditions.
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"Today, history can be healthy," said Dr. Thomas. "We are realizing the contributions we can make to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities by creating lifestyle options that are scientifically sound and culturally relevant."
Bicycling just 30 minutes a day can help ease those problems with minimal cost, he said.
Adventure Cycling's maps for the route steer cyclists along safe, low-traffic roads and feature elevation profiles, historical notes, and information on camping, lodging and worthwhile historical sites along the way.
The Underground Railroad Bicycle Route was created with financial support from Recreational Equipment Inc., Bikes Belong and the members of Adventure Cycling.
This spring, Adventure Cycling will sponsor a trip from April 14 through May 31, leading a group of riders from Mobile to Ontario. A shorter trip midsummer will go from Buffalo, N.Y., to Ontario.
Those planning their own bike trips on the route could cover the entire length of the route traveling 75 miles a day for about a month or so.
Ms. Frances, who doesn't consider herself a serious cyclist, is already polishing off her bike and planning to take her family along some part of the trail.
"We will try to follow the river as best we can," she said. "For me, it's nice to know this can help me stay healthy, but most of all this will be a journey of the spirit."
