Cycling with Sam: Updates

July 13, 2020: Coldwater, Michigan

Sam spent the weekend in Michigan! We're so impressed and inspired by his journey. He met with Terri, the interim director of Coldwater, Michigan's Family Promise, and reports that they had a lovely conversation. We'll update you on where he ends up traveling this week, but in the meantime, you can check out our 'stories' for a look back at the beautiful scenery Sam's been blessed with on his journey.

July 8, 2020: Fort Wayne, IN

Sam has made it to Fort Wayne, Indiana! Sam’s first goal was to make it to Fort Wayne to reconnect with family. He arrived last week and said he’s been spending time doing just that. We asked him what his next steps were and he laughed.

Well, it’s been 95 degrees out here for about a week and it doesn’t look like it will cool off anytime soon. I don’t exactly want to hop on my bike in this weather, so I’ll just be here for a bit figuring the next step out.

He’d like to make it to the Dakotas and see the Badlands but the weather and the distance between towns have him thinking about what’s best for his health and safety. The good thing is: There’s no timeline. He’s enjoying his time in Fort Wayne. We’ll update you on his travels as soon as he updates us!

June 29, 2020: Indiana, PA

Indiana County Family Promise shared a few photos from Sam's recent visit with them.

Sam poses with Gary and Sami. Gary and Sami are parents who are staying at Indiana County Family Promise.

Sam with Patti and Carole (ED of Indiana County Family Promise).

June 27, 2020: Pittsburgh, PA

Sam’s landed in Pittsburgh, PA this weekend! He had a wonderful conversation with Georgette, the Executive Director of our Family Promise Pittsburgh, PA affiliate. Like many of us during this pandemic, they are finding innovative ways to serve their families., such as using Airbnb for housing for families.

Their good news is that out of the four families they are currently serving two families have stabilized and the third is getting ready to move on. They're blessed to have wonderful volunteers providing service and dollars. Georgette made a point to tell Sam that volunteers have stepped up with food mail delivery, boxes from a local food bank, and words of encouragement.

June 26, 2020: Butler, PA

Our latest update from Sam:

Squatting at First Methodist in Butler, Pennsylvania. Craig the security guard is pictured and was very helpful. Again, I arrived just as my battery was exhausted.

June 23, 2020: Warren, PA

Latest update from Sam:

Here's the wonderful campground host last night after a major thunderstorm in Riverview on the Allegheny near Warren, PA. She even served me a full-scale breakfast this morning!

June 22, 2020

Check out Sam’s interview with Channel 5’s Erica Tarantal! Sam and our Executive Director, Sue Crossley, were profiled in today’s WCVB’s segment. #cyclingwithsam #fpmetrowest

WCVB "Five for Good" News Story

June 22, 2020: Mt. Jewett, PA

Sam made it into the third state in his journey yesterday: Pennsylvania! He had a lovely stay at Temple Beth El in Geneva, NY and enjoyed a wonderful meal with our Family Promise affiliate there. Check out our stories to hear his first-hand account of his experience.

The three gentlemen pictured kept Sam company before he rode into Mount Jewett Pennsylvania. Here's what Sam wrote to us:

Exhausted and limping along with gear shifter problems and battery running low, these guys caught my attention. Sat for a half-hour visiting, with my battery had enough strength to ascend the three-mile-long hill into Mount Jewett, Pennsylvania.

June 20, 2020: Avon, NY

Sam checked in with us this morning. His travels are going well and he so appreciates everyone’s support! Here’s his latest update:

Another night of staying behind a Methodist Church. This time in Avon, NY. I grew up Methodist in Indiana so have an affinity. Had a delightful time with Jay in Canandaigua, after spending the night at Temple Beth-El in Geneva.

June 16, 2020: Morrisville, NY

We received the following update and photos from Sam this morning:

I started the day late, awakened with the sun, then fell back to sleep until the sun drove me out of the tent. Hit the road about 10:15, arrived in Morrisville at about 5 p.m. Battery died up the last big hill, fortunately, Morrisville is in a valley so I coasted for a mile into town.

Hospitality seemed elusive. Followed a sign to an abolitionist historical museum. Came upon only the second church I could find in this little burg. Pulled in the driveway and met Eileen, the only person here, pushing her walker to exercise and try to restore some semblance of normality after her right leg was amputated. She was chatty but able to connect me with the church's decision-maker.

So once again I am exercising the adage, “easier to ask for pardon than permission." Hooked my bike battery to an outlet, pedal back into town had a pasta dinner, allowing time for the baking Sun to calm down, set up my tent, and now enjoying the quiet, no breeze, waning Sun against the Green Forest backdrop.

I’m filled with gratitude for the strength to pedal 50 to 70 miles a day and a faith which anticipates good things.

June 15, 2020

Sam's making excellent progress across the country and hopes to make it to our Ontario County Family Promise affiliate in Canandaigua, NY by Thursday!

He started his Saturday meditating in the chilly air before hopping on his bike for the day's ride.
As you can see, this weekend brought few uphill battles his way. These hills drained his power-bike but he was able to find a good samaritan who not only offered him a place to re-charge his battery but a hammock in which to rest and recharge his body.

He saw some cool chainsaw art along the way and ended his weekend with a much-deserved pint of Cherry Garcia!

June 14, 2020: Albany, NY

Sam is making speedy progress on his journey! We received the following update from our fellow affiliate, Family Promise of Albany County:

We are delighted to welcome Cycle Sam to our Day Center. Sam is on a journey from Family Promise Metrowest to Fort Wayne, Indiana and possibly beyond. He is bringing attention to homelessness and the mission of Family Promise, which is carried out across the United States as he visits affiliates along the way with his bike and tent! It was wonderful to share stories about our mission! Our guest families also enjoyed his visit!

June 11, 2020: Natick, MA

Sam Gloyd, a van driver for Family Promise Metrowest in Natick, MA, embarked today on a cross-country cycling trip to learn more about challenges facing our country and bring deeper awareness to the issue of family homelessness. He left from our Day Center in Natick, MA and hopes to end somewhere along the West Coast — wherever the road takes him! 

Sam has been an avid cyclist since he made his first cross-country ride with a group of young men after college. On this trip, Sam is traveling solo, camping out along the way, and visiting several of the 200+ Family Promise affiliates operating across the United States to learn about the families they serve and the various challenges faced in different regions of the country.

“This trip is really something of a quest for me,” Sam says. “In part, I’m hoping to reconnect with family in Indiana and will be visiting with a retired minister in Michigan, who played a particularly inspirational role in my life.” But beyond reconnecting with family and friends, Sam is looking to meet and engage — as much as possible —with people he doesn’t know, both through daily interactions along his route and through the connections he makes as he visits other affiliates in the Family Promise network. “There are so many things tearing our country apart right now. I see this trip as a great opportunity to meet people, engage in conversations around what separates us as humans, contemplate what role I might be playing in that, and to report on what I discover.”

Watch the video of Sam's departure on YouTube. And check out this page or follow us on Facebook for regular updates on Sam's journey!