Gearing Up benefits women on the road to recovery

 

Some climbs are tougher than others. 

For some women caught in a cycle of abuse--whether it be drugs, alcohol, or violence--getting free of these chains can be daunting.  While the Tour de France riders suffer physically, these ladies face challenges perhaps even more enormous.  For some, climbing the Tourmalet may be less grueling than climbing out of addiction. 

The Vision:  Gearing Up is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide adults in recovery with the skills,  equipment, and guidance to ride a bicycle for exercise, transportation, and personal growth. The program is currently located at Interim House in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia. 

The program was created by Director Kristin Gavin while earning her Masters in Kinesiology, Exercise, and Sport Psychology at Temple University.  For a project in a 2007 "Entrepreneurship in Health Professions" class, Gavin proposed a bike program for adults in transition.  The transition could be any major life change, from prison release to halfway house or homelessness.  The successful Tour de France for prisoners exemplifies the connection between cycling, freedom, and self-reliance. 

Making it happen: 

In Jun 2008 Gavin began a fitness program (yoga and aerobics) at Interim House, where Director Kathy Wellbank showed interest in a bike program.  Following up on the business plan she crafted at graduate school with a needs assessment at Interim House,  Gavin found strong support among the residents for a bike program.  Now she just needed to procure the machines. 

Her initial attempt to find used equipment yielded disastrous results, so she decided to go right to the source of new gear and contacted Pat Cunnane, President of Advanced Sports Inc., which manages the  Fuji Bike brand.

Within the one hour it takes to complete a cylcocross race, Gavin's call to Cunnane produced five bikes for her program.  This generous donation helped move the program off the drawing board and into the streets.

Hitting the Road:  With bikes, helmets and yellow safety vests on hand, Gavin and her volunteer crew were ready to take the Interim House ladies for a ride.  Some of the women hadn't been on bikes since they were kids, and the joy on their faces would light up a cloudy day. In addition to emotional and mental turmoil, these women often suffer from physical distress after years of substance abuse. Also, the average woman gains a staggering ten pounds a month during incarceration.  Many of the Interim House residents grapple with this sudden weight gain and regard cycling as a healthy means of reduction. 

Balancing safety with fun has been Gavin's biggest concern when on the road.  While cycling fosters social connectivity, it's important to maintain vigilance while riding.  

Just a cyclist among cyclists: When teaching aerobics or yoga, Gavin is clearly the instructor.  But when on the road, she is a cyclist among cyclists.  And so are the women of Interim House.  When cruising down the street, they are simply cyclists among cyclists, with no other baggage weighing them down.  Passersby will ask if the group is a club, and the response is always a resounding "YES!  We are cyclists!" 

Along the four mile route, the riders bond over near death experiences with cars, the agony of climbing hills, and unusual lawn ornaments, like the psychedelic elephant on the corner of Greene Street and Mt. Airy Avenue.  As the miles accrue, so does each woman's confidence and self-esteem.  You can see it in their faces, and hear it in the post-ride shout outs of appreciation.

Pedaling ahead: Gavin's goal is for the group to participate in Bike Philly on September 13.  Look for the Gearing Up ladies and ring your bells as your fellow cyclists ride by.  Gearing Up encourages friends and neighbors to join them on September 13 for the Bike Philly event. 

Time to celebrate:  Breakaway Bikes, one of the sponsors instrumental in helping Gavin initiate the program, hosted a benefit at their 1923 Chestnut Street location on Friday, July 10.  Around 100 people attended the event which included an introduction by Gavin and a powerful testimonial from volunteer Brenda Miller.  That's the wonderful part of the program, and cycling in general--you never feel worse after a ride than before.  

Gavin acknowledges the generous support of volunteers and groups who have donated to this cause. In addition to Fuji (who subsequently donated two more bikes for a total of seven), Sturdy Girl Cycling, and Breakaway Bikes have lent their support to the cause. 

When not helping recovering addicts one pedal stroke at a time, Gavin competes in elite cyclocross and mountain bike races.  A fierce competitor and humanitarian, she will rip your legs off in a race and then give you the jersey off her back afterward.  This worthy program will undoubtedly be a success under her guidance.  Now is your chance to volunteer, and help the women of Interim House on the road to recovery. 

For more info: Or to volunteer, contact Kristin Gavin at kristingavin@gmail.com and look for the Gearing Up website which will be up and running soon.