They have set out on an incredible 388-mile journey, which is trumped only by their reason for doing it, charity. The eight cyclists are participating in the Social Security Board's second annual ride across Belize. The ride is being held this year to raise funds for the Princess Royal Youth Hostel and the Stella Maris School. They left Punta Gorda Wednesday morning and after pedaling through the hills of Stann Creek, the valleys of San Ignacio, and into the flats of Belmopan, this morning the 8 riders made it to Belize City. With 90 miles to the finish line in Corozal, we got a status report.
Ramon Figueroa, Ride Across Belize
"We enjoy it. Some people say we crazy."
Social Security Board employee Ramon Figueroa and these 7 other riders aren't crazy, they are just committed to riding cross country from Punta Gorda to Corozal in 4 days. Today is day 3.
Ramon Figueroa,
"We started off in Punta Gorda on Wednesday. Wednesday morning we ended up in Dangriga and yesterday from Dangriga to San Ignacio and today from San Ignacio to Belize. Tomorrow we will do the last stretch which is from Belize to Corozal."
Keith Swift,
So you haven't finished yet?
Ramon Figueroa,
"Not yet unfortunately not yet. Last year we did the ride from Corozal down to Punta Gorda. This year we did the opposite way and I feel that probably it's a little bit harder doing it that way. We find it out the hard way."
Ariel Rosado, Cyclist
"Honestly it's the first time I've ever been to P.G. and it's a beauty place, lovely scenery all along the way. Aside from the pain, the heat, the sweat, and all of that the scenery itself was just beautiful. I'm very proud of my country, I love my country very much and this ride made me appreciate that a whole lot more."
Keith Swift,
Yes its beautiful but what was it really like out there?
Ariel Rosado,
"If you wanna get an example you can see the tan I acquired in one day. The heat is immense, its incredible. You feel the heat emanating off your back, everybody we bathe every 5 minutes; its incredible. For the ride itself well I am not in any shape and these guys are in pretty good shape but for the most they are not trained cyclists so it was fairly difficult but we took it easy for the most part and we able to do it for a good cause."
Two good causes actually: the Princess Royal Youth Hostel and the Stella Maris School. The Hostel's Glenda Mae Martinez says funds donated will be invested into the sewing and craft program so residents can create more of these, which are offered for sale.
Glenda Mae Martinez, Youth Hostel
"Presently we have crafts like, we have towels, we have mirrors, we have picture frames, we have cushions that were made by the residents of the Youth Hostel. The money will go towards enhancing the crafts."
Merl Elliot, Principal - Stella Maris School
"We have a building that hosts the infant division and it was built without a ceiling so we are going to do the ceiling and also the floor whenever it rains its too low so water comes in so we're going to raise that floor."
Keith Swift,
With all the bad news about Social Security in the news, why is this ride across Belize important?
Narda Garcia, CEO - Social Security Board
"Well it is always important for organizations to do community work and community service."
So far $12,500 has been raised and the Social Security Board has pledged to match whatever is raised. Pledges are still being accepted and you can make those by contacting the Social Security Board. There are 8 riders of whom 3 are employees. The remaining 5 are volunteers.
