What makes someone commit to three days of cycling uphill and down, next to meadows and ponds, past charming villages and historic sites?

For Susan, it's her first-hand experience with Friends of Karen families:  “The Journey of the Heart is a ride that I keep coming back to again and again..Whenever I encounter a family who has been helped by Friends of Karen I see that down the road they feel compelled to give back in some way to the charity that helped them at a critical point in their lives. That just speaks volumes to me about the great work this charity does with such tender loving care.” 

Alan puts it this way: “Why do I ride for Friends of Karen on their annual Journey of the Heart Bike Ride? The answer is simple: The smiling faces of the children and their families which show their appreciation for the assistance they receive from Friends of Karen during life’s most harrowing experiences.  With every ounce of energy expended and every dollar raised, I know our efforts are truly appreciated.”

Karen's commitment goes back to childhood: "“Friends of Karen has been a part of my life since I was 10 years old. I knew Karen and her family during the time when Karen was sick, and I had the honor of being a part of the community that helped start up the first fundraisers for this organization...[I first rode in the] Journey of the Heart Bike Tour in 2010...The joy I feel when I know my efforts are helping local children is unparalleled to anything else I do.” 

And for Jeffrey, who was helped by Friends of Karen when his son battled leukemia, it's very personal: "There comes a rare opportunity in life when an individual gets to be on both sides of the coin -- the receiving and giving -- and is able to assess which is more rewarding, and for me, it’s better to give than it is to receive. That's what Friends of Karen represents.” 

Find out more about this year's "Journey of the Heart" -- support a rider, or come join us!