This summer, teams of teens took to the streets on bikes as part of Lifecycles, a Christian-based organization that works to build young men and women of character. Five teams participated in Summer Challenge Rides, which took them on trips ranging from six to 14 days long.

"This is the most Challenge Rides we've ever done," said Lee DeRemer, Lifecycles director. "We had more girls and boys in our program who were ready for a week way and were up for strenuous riding. We also had enough leaders willing to sacrifice a week of their time to do this." In total, the five rides included 42 teens and 30 adult leaders. One girls' team and two boys' teams participated in weeklong 300-mile rides from Jersey Shore, Pa., to Niagara Falls. On those rides, participants passed by the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, Watkins Glen, the Finger Lakes and the Erie Canal Historic Trail. Additionally, one boys' team rode 330 miles from the Pittsburgh area to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. The fifth ride was the longest, featuring a boys' team that rode 825 miles over two weeks from Niagara Falls to Lubec, Maine. "They went to the Eastern-most point in the United States," Lee noted. "They were the first people in the country to see the sunrise that morning."

Lee, who created Lifecycles in 2015, said he's continually impressed with the dedication and drive of the riders. "I know how hard some of them had to push in order to finish," he stated. "Not one boy or girl quit. Everybody rode every single mile."

Lee and his wife, Marcie, created Lifecycles to provide friendship, mentoring and bike riding, all with a faith focus. The organization is open to boys and girls ages 12 to 18. From April through August, boys' and girls' teams ride one night a week throughout Lancaster County.

Although the season is wrapping up, the teams will continue with five weekend rides through October. The organization currently serves 130 teens in what Lee calls "overflowing" teams. "We want our teams to be large enough to provide a sense of community, but small enough to keep it safe and manageable," he stated. He hopes to be able to increase the number of teams next year but noted that more leaders will be needed to do that. "We've been very blessed by more leaders joining us this year, and we're going to need even more to continue," he remarked, adding that's he's confident the right people will step up. "We live in an area where people really want to give back to their community."

In the meantime, he marvels at the success of the Summer Challenge Rides and the effort put in by the riders. "In eight years, nobody has quit along the way," he said. "That's a testimony to the teens and also to the quality of our leaders out there on those rides with them."

For more information about Lifecycles, contact Lee at director@lifecyclesteam.org or visit http://www.lifecyclesteam.org.