Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hike the Grand Canyon? How about hiking the Canyon rim to rim in a day; better yet, with bikes strapped to your backs, in sub freezing temperatures and (of course) in the snow? Well, that's what the three guys of Riding The Spine just did.

I have been following the exploits of Jacob, Goat and Sean (a.k.a. RidingTheSpine.com) for several months now. The challenges that they've faced (and overcome) on their unsupported tour bicycling from Alaska to the tip of South America are beyond comprehension. Yet, the Riding The Spine tour has thousands of miles to ride and many more challenges ahead.

For me though, the most humbling and fascinating aspect of their tour is the cause they have chosen to support with their inspirational ride: The Friends of the Lafitte Corridor (FOLC).

As I wrote about in December when I was elected to FOLC's board of directors, this non profit organization that's spear heading a grass roots effort to connect, inspire and revitalize core New Orleans' neighborhoods that marinated for weeks in the putrid floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina. To accomplish this goal, FOLC is weaving together local residents and community leaders with national health, walking and bicycling groups so that a planned bike trail from the French Quarter can finally become reality.

Although most New Orleanians want to return home, factors like sickeningly low insurance settlements, inconsistent & slow governmental rebuilding efforts, an explosively violent crime wave, insufficient public education, rapidly escalating costs of living/rebuilding and unreliable public utilities have kept many residents away and on the verge of despair. Under such dire circumstances, the Lafitte Corridor becomes more than just a simple bike trail. Completing the project would spur the hopes and spirits of the entire region.

Without a doubt, the guys of Riding The Spine and the people of New Orleans are facing seemingly insurmountable odds. Nevertheless, as these 3 bicyclists have rode from Alaska to the Grand Canyon in the dead of winter, so has New Orleans risen from muck and mold (even the Saints made the NFL playoffs this year). Long shots though they are, I'm rooting for Riding The Spine. Ride on, guys.

Labels: bike trail, FOLC, greenway, New Orleans, RidingTheSpine