LINC is thrilled to partner with the biking community Mind Body Results (MBR) to transform the lives of NYC’s youngest readers in the 2021 TD Five Boro Bike Tour. These cyclists are social justice advocates and this Sunday, August 22, they will pedal 40 miles with purpose to benefit LINC. Get to know our team in this short interview series.
Introducing Superstar Cyclist Carnel Patterson
1. What was your favorite story or book as a child?
My favorite story book as a child was Dr. Suess' Green Eggs and Ham.
2. How long have you been cycling?
I have been cycling for about a year and a half now.
3. What inspires you to ride for a cause like LINC?
Enriching our community is very important to my group’s mission. Having an opportunity to help another organization that is trying to do the same contributes to that goal.
4. What do you see (or hope to see) as your impact as a cyclist?
My hope is that we can build a stronger, healthier more unified community with deeper positive values.
Introducing Superstar Cyclist Tea Rose Pankey
1. What was your favorite story or book as a child?
My favorite book as a child was Lincoln’s Boyhood. It was part of a series of historical fiction where authors surmised the childhood stories of important historical figures for young readers. Fiction or not, I loved relating to heroes from a young perspective and feeling like I could grow up to do important things too.
2. How long have you been cycling?
I have been riding occasionally for commuting or fun since 2015, but got really into it during covid summer 2020. Bought a bike, started riding with MBR who took me all over town and introduced me to some incredible people. Made a ton of friends who bike and now I can’t imagine my life in the city without cycling!! It’s been such a good way to get to know the city.
3. What inspires you to ride for a cause like LINC?
I started riding with MBR through protest rides. Joining together for a cause inspired me to get out the door to ride week after week. Organizations like LINC work to bring change to communities one child at a time.
4. What do you see (or hope to see) as your impact as a cyclist?
As a cyclist, I see that I can bring attention to various causes and put my two wheels in when they are needed. The friends I’ve made biking inspire me to become more involved in organizations I want to support.
Introducing Superstar Cyclist MacKenzie Wells
1. What was your favorite story or book as a child?
Old Magic by Marianne Curley, also the Harry Potter series.
2. How long have you been cycling?
I have been riding for two years and I’ve been racing for the past year. I’d known how to bike but started doing it much more often during the pandemic. I met MBR through protests over the past summer. Since then I’ve joined them on rides in the city, to Philly and to Connecticut.
3. What inspires you to ride for a cause like LINC?
I am a sixth grade science educator. The biggest thing I’ve noticed in the past year is that reading levels have declined over the pandemic. It’s heartbreaking to have students reading on a 4th grade level. Many of them can't afford their books and don't understand why it's important to learn to read.
4. What do you see (or hope to see) as your impact as a cyclist?
I want a city where biking is accessible and safe. I want more children to ride bikes and to see funding for different education programs, including safety. There are lots of accidents, and I’ve been in a few myself. My neighborhood in Brooklyn could use more bike lanes.
Introducing Superstar Cyclist James Buckley
1. What was your favorite story or book as a child?
I loved the Redwall books as a kid. The premise sounds silly (talking animals in a medieval world), but I would read each book in a matter of days.
2. How long have you been cycling?
I've been cycling for a little over one year. Gyms were closing during the pandemic and I needed a new way to keep in shape.
3. What inspires you to ride for a cause like education justice?
The bike protests in 2020 showed me the power that comes from NYC cyclists taking up a cause. Riding for education justice continues that combination of a recreational activity. Biking with a desire to make a difference in the lives of others.
4. What do you see (or hope to see) as your impact as a cyclist?
I hope my impact as a cyclist is a strong sense of community in New York City. Riding with groups like Mind Body Results (MBR) has introduced me to wonderful people and heightened my involvement in social justice. I hope to see those groups continue to thrive.
Introducing Superstar Cyclist Atiba Grant
1. What was your favorite story or book as a child? Tikki Tikki Tembo
2. How long have you been cycling? I have been on a bike since I was little and labeled as a cyclist over a year.
3. What inspires you to ride for a cause like LINC? Being a father I know how important reading is for the development of a child’s mind. So much can be learned and expressed through a good book.
4. What do you see (or hope to see) as your impact as a cyclist? That more children in the community pick up a book instead of the “games.”
Meet the MBR cyclists who will #RideToRead with LINC at the 2021 TD Five Boro Bike Tour! Clockwise from top left: Tyrell Taylor, Tea Rose Pankey, Taurean Coppin, Mackenzie Wells, James Lee Buckley, Carnel Patterson, and Atiba Grant
