The origin of this bike ride goes back 55 years, beginning with a little boy in foster care. His
parents loved him very much; caring for him as they did their own children and the other foster children.
He would regularly enjoy himself, though there were times when his foster parents would argue and
fight. When he was 4 years old, he grew the courage to step between these fights; facing his, what
seemed to be, mountain-of-a-man foster father. That worked momentarily, as it became clear to the
little boy that he could not fix the inner wounds that drove their alcoholism and domestic violence.
 

Fortunately, his foster sister taught him how to ride a bike. He fell many times, scraping his
hands and knees. Frustrated and hurt he cried, but he persisted when he found a sense of freedom and
liberation. He would find shelter with friends and neighbors as he learned the early warning signs of the
gathering storm of domestic violence. These same neighbors would turn a blind eye when they heard
the yelling, screaming, and pleas for help, teaching the boy to stay quiet. His family suffered in plain
view. He vowed to himself that as a man, he would protect women and children.
 

Over the next 20 years, he asked for help to heal his inner wounds. He was determined to turn
his pain into power and trauma in triumph. He became a well-recognized anti-violence advocate and
expert, working closely with domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and treatment. Cycling
gave him the opportunity to reflect on the lessons he has learned while traveling the route of the non-
violence education field. Anger is the opposite of strength and courage. Wounded people wound
people. We can do more than we think we can. Difficulties in life are like hills in cycling; acting as
obstacles that provide opportunities to get stronger and help us meet the inevitable next challenge
down the road. Raising awareness and giving people the skills to speak up about violence decreases
violence while increasing personal courage and protection for our community.

This story is not about him though, because right now there are too many children like him in
our communities. In 2022, a person (usually a woman and/or a child) died from domestic violence every
4 days in Wisconsin. This is a story about US! Each of our lives depends on our fellow citizens and
communities. We all have a responsibility to care for, contribute to, and be a steward for our fellow
citizens and communities. Helping others warms two hearts and strengthens our community. Harming
others harms them, you, and weakens bonds in the community, and we simply believe that is not how
we treat each other in our homes and communities.

Two years ago, we held the first annual “Breaking Away from Domestic Violence” bike ride as
part of the WiSport citizen cycling series complete with music, food, prizes, games, and a bicycle raffle.
With the success of the last two years, we have dreamed bigger and will be riding farther this year, in
what we are calling the “Capital-2-Capital” bike ride!

The profits from the “Capital-2-Capital” bike ride will go to Family Advocates, a nonprofit agency
that provides food, essential supplies, shelter, and prevention services for victims of domestic violence

and sexual assault. See our ‘links’ tab for our sponsors and interventions to prevent domestic violence
and sexual assault. Breaking the cycle takes awareness, community, and generosity. Please consider
donating to our cause using our ‘donations’ tab. This year we are also working with Bikes for Kids Wisconsin (BFKWI).
Instead of putting that old bike in the garage or out on the curb, please bring it to the “Capital-2-Capital” bike ride. There it will be collected and sent to BFKWI for their refurbishing magic before taking it to a child in need. Who knows, perhaps 55 years from now, one of those children will carry on the tradition and enjoy cycling with freedom, love, and liberation, while domestic and sexual violence being only things in the past.

Please join us for what will surely be the best Capital Bike ride of 2024!