Cycle the Wave rides to ‘brake the cycle’ of domestic violence
Published 12:54 pm Thursday, August 29, 2013
One in four women and one in nine men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.
The violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, financial or psychological.
One in three young people will experience teen dating violence.
Girls between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence.
These are staggering statistics. And yet many people — people you know — who have been a victim or is a survivor of domestic violence don’t talk about it.
In 2005 Sharon Anderson started the Lakemont Ladies – a group of women who cycle together – just for fun. But she had an idea: A bike ride – not a race – to help combat the problem.
With the help of the Rising Star Guild, which fell under the auspices of Eastside Domestic Violence (now LifeWire) 233 women inaugurated the first event in 2007. The next year, the event doubled in size.
“What was happening was we were getting women from all over the state,” Anderson said.
Anderson then decided to start her own foundation and in 2011 The Wave (Women Against Violence Everywhere) Foundation was born. Last year through Cycle the Wave, the foundation raised $160,000 with 1,200 riders. This year, on Sept. 15, they’ll be riding again.
“The camaraderie was amazing,” Anderson said. “Women who have experienced domestic violence want to help.”
Recipients of $120,000 in grants last year were the YWCA of Pierce County, Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services (ADWAS), SAGE of Chelan and Douglas Counties (Safety Advocacy Growth Empowerment), New Beginnings, LifeWire and DAWN (Domestic Abuse Women’s Network).
Anderson said women come from Seattle, Bellevue and all over the Eastside side to participate in the ride. She and her co-captain decided to make it an all female ride so it would be safe and powerful for women. However, men were encouraged to volunteer.
And the men love their role. Guys on bikes change flat tires and volunteer at rest stops. All along the route, the rest stops might include something as simple as putting a flower in a rider’s helmet, or incredible food — all donated by a wide variety of sponsors. The first 1,000 riders to register receive a fun gift bag — so far 800 have registered.
“The women start sharing their stories,” Anderson said. “It can happen to anyone. Many women in my life have been affected by domestic violence.”
This is the second year Cycle the Wave has started at Issaquah High School. You don’t have to be an elite biker to participate since organizers have devised a series of rides depending on how long you want to ride or your skill level.
The “Burly Girls” head out first at 7 a.m. since their route is 59 miles. All riders head west toward Bellevue through Bellevue College. The “Little Sister” riders turn around and go back to the high school at this point, making for a 15-mile ride. The “Girly Girls” go on to a park in Bellevue and turn around for a total of 23 miles, and the “Middle Sisters” head south turning around at some point for a total of 42 miles. The “Burly Girls” go all the way to Renton and come back to the school via May Valley Road.
“Our goal was to have a route for everyone,” Anderson said.
Road markings, signs and police along the route will ensure safety for the road warriors.
By staggering the start every hour for each group, they all return to Issaquah High at relatively the same time, where a huge party takes place. And, new this year for women who don’t like to ride on the roads, about 30 spin bikes provided by the Sammamish Club will be at the school for women to spin for a registration fee of $30.
Registration is $75 through Sept. 12, and $85 the day of the ride. It is a rain or shine event.
Aiming to take Cycle the Wave national, Anderson said this year was the first year a Cycle the Wave event was held in another state. On June 23, 200 women rode in Boston — keeping “Boston Strong” — raising $60,000.
To register visit www.cyclethewave.org.
