THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 5, 1996 TAG: 9605030215
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Janelle La Bouve
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
Robyn L. Knowles is about to embark on a 3,600-mile bicycle trek.
The Chesapeake resident will join 18 other young adults in pedaling from Seattle, Wash., to Washington, D.C., is support of Bike-Aid, a project to raise money for environmental causes. The trip will begin on June 13.
Knowles said her involvement in the project began with an offhand comment. She told a friend she would go if she had more information about the project.
``Much to my surprise she looked into it,'' Knowles said.
Recently, Knowles resigned her job as outdoor supervisor for Norfolk Parks and Recreation Department so that she would have more time to prepare for the road.
``I've really been picking up the past few months,'' she said. ``Now I'm riding between 50 and 60 miles a day.''
She leaves her parents' home in Great Bridge daily, riding a Trek hybrid, 14-gear mountain bike and heads for Virginia Beach.
``It takes four to five hours,'' she said. ``That's not straight riding. I stop and take breaks.''
During the cross-country trip, Knowles will ride her 10-speed bike.
Bikers will pedal eight to 10 hours daily and average of between 75 and 90 miles. The group will be accompanied by a support van.
If someone has an accident, they will pick that person up and take him or her in to the next town, she said.
In addition to finding housing for riders in YMCAs, churches, gymnasiums, campgrounds or homes, Bike-Aid arranges meetings with farmers and environmental groups along the route. Cyclers will participate in community service projects and form global partnerships.
``We will bike four to five days, then stop one to two days to do community service in the town where we stopped,'' said Knowles.
Community service stops are set up in advance. Each project will promote environmental solutions such as reconstructing an urban garden to replace a city slum or turn a vacant lot into a park area, Knowles said.
The group will stop at about three sites per state, such as Yellowstone Park in Montana; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Chicago, Ill.; Helena, Mont.; Birsmarck, N.D., and Minneapolis, Minn.
``This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I am very excited,'' she said.
Knowles, a 1993 Old Dominion University graduate, is attempting to raise $3,000 in pledges from supporters who pledge $1 for every mile she travels.
``I have a lot of little sponsors,'' she said. ``But I need a couple a big ones. That would be really good.''
Full name: Robyn L. Knowles
Hometown: Chesapeake
Fond childhood memories: ``Summertime in Great Bridge in the Wilson Heights neighborhood. A gang of kids would stay out late and play kick the can and hide and seek.''
Marital status: Single
Occupation: ``Currently, I am unemployed. But I am helping my parents in their business and preparing myself for a bike ride across the country.''
Hobbies: ``Skiing. I plan to apply to be a ski instructor at Heavenly Valley Ski Resort Lake Tahoe, Calif.''
Last book read: ``The Rainmaker'' by John Grisham
What's your favorite game? Scrabble
Describe yourself as a color: ``Red is my favorite color. I'm pretty spontaneous and adventurous.''
If you could be any animal, what would it be? A black panther
What irritates you the most? ``When I'm out cycling, the people who don't give me any room as they pass.''
Favorite type of music: Rock 'n' roll, especially Led Zepplin
Favorite movie: ``Emperor of the Sun''
Can't resist: Chocolate
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``My procrastinating.''
Favorite TV program: ``I like `Home Improvement.' ''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: ``I love The Olive Garden.''
Favorite way to spend a day: ``Some of my favorite days have been hiking up the Appalachian Mountains.''
What would you choose for a last meal?
``Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing. That's my favorite.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
by CNB