Published: September 08, 2008 10:02 pm      

Pastors to pedal 3-person bamboo bike into Beckley

Statewide ride comes before national benefit for world hunger

Three pastors will bring their mission to end world hunger into Beckley Friday morning — on unique transportation.

At 8:30 a.m., Evangelical Lutheran Church of America pastors riding a three-person bicycle made out of bamboo will arrive at St. Luke Lutheran Church on Maxwell Hill Road in Beckley, said St. Luke Pastor Wanda Childs. The pastors began traveling the state Monday, on a mission to promote wellness and end world hunger.

This, Childs explained, is the precursor to a much larger journey. Between May 13 and Aug. 24 in 2009, the men will undertake the Tour de Revs — a 100-day trip on the same bicycle. With the same mission in mind, the Rev. Ron Schlak of Trinity Lutheran Church in Charleston, the Rev. Dr. Fred Soltow Jr. of the Shepherdstown Parish and the Rev. David Twedt of Capon North River Lutheran Parish in Wardensville will visit 66 locations across the country.

Proceeds will benefit Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ECLA) World Hunger. According to the organization’s Web site, ECLA World Hunger provides immediate relief for people in the United States and across the world affected by chronic hunger and poverty, assists communities through long-term and sustainable development, and advocates for justice.

Childs said Schlak, Soltow and Twedt will have breakfast at the church until 9:30 a.m. Friday, and they will share a short presentation about world hunger and what they hope to accomplish.

“This is amazing,” Childs said. “I’ve got to hand it to them. They have a lot of stamina, and they have made a huge commitment to make a difference in our world.

“There are parts of the world where there are people who don’t have enough to eat. Our generation can finally make enough of a difference to finally eliminate world hunger.”

Childs urged anyone interested in the pastors’ cause or biking to attend. She called their custom-built bicycle “phenomenal,” one that should spike public curiosity. According to the Tour de Revs Web site, such a bike is called a “triplet.” Bamboo has numerous qualities that make it a suitable material for a bicycle frame. It is as durable as steel and a readily available, renewable resource that leaves no carbon footprint.

This West Virginia tour, Childs said, will end Sept. 16 in Morgantown.

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com