Led by the Spoke N Heart Collective, 20 cyclists who took off from Chicago 8 days ago rolled into Detroit today to participate in the Allied Media Conference and the US Social Forum (Photo Galleries from the ride available here and here ).  On the last night of group camping, folks jotted down their reflections on the ride, the journey, and what it means to head to the motor city on a bike.

This has been a beautiful experience, one of sharing, support, understanding and joy.  It is a microcosm of how I'd like the world to work.  - Darren

Riding the Road to Detroit, I've found joy, frustration and tremendous beauty.  I've been grateful to share the literal and figurative ups and downs of our bike tour with such amazing people.  - Gilberto

Trip magic is meeting Maurice, who cooks us breakfast omelets and sets up enormous tarps to keep out the rain.  Trip magic is watching Cassius and Mimi tickle each other by the side of the road while we buy strawberries from roadside stands.  Trip magic is creating community within and with everyone we meet along the road.  Trip magic is dance parties, potluck dinners, and dreaming by firelight.  - Nora

The stars.  The beautiful smell of outdoors.  Fresh rain.  Green crisp grassland.  Harriet Tubman.  Love.  The way we talk and care for each other.  The way we meet possibility.  That reminds me of what is possible, what I dream.  - Paris

So I went on this trip because I wanted to see what it was like.  I am so grateful for this opportunity, this experience, these people, this trip.  Thank you. 

I don't think I've ever moved so freely in my life.

I turned 35 on day 5 of this 8 day trip to Detroit for the USSF.  Seeing the Midwest in this up close, intimate proximity is simply spectacular.  The farm houses, the old style barns and the landscapes inspires as we move from the City of Chicago to Metropolitan Detroit.

Everyone has been so incredibly generous and willing to give of themselves on this trip.  Even though I know nothing about bikes, camping, or cooking, I've felt accepted and comfortable with each and every person.  The bike ride home in the pitch black and pounding rain last night when we filled the road and used our combined lights to illuminate the path was a wonderful example of teamwork overcoming mutual obstacles.

Riding into my 30s via a 300 mile bike ride to the USSF in Detroit is probably the most "amazing" way to begin this new beginning.  Pulling a 5 year old child, my nephew, on this bike tour reminds me of resilience, fearless, limitless spirit.  It centers me and allows me to recognize the beauty of the unknown.  The sense of community that has supported a ride with a 5 year old was unforeseen.  For that I am thankful, grateful, and appreciative. 
Magic comes from all those who took the step to make this possible for themselves and trusted spoke n heart to pull everything together accordingly.
Beauty is open fields, clear skies, sunsets, and sunrises not obscured by pollution and buildings.  It is people cheering us on the road to Detroit.
A hello from a stranger encourages me to believe that another world is possible... - Zahra