VALPARAISO – The COVID-19 pandemic left the Ron and Chrystal Donahue family feeling, like other families, trapped in their home. One day, the Donahue children suggested the family go for a bike ride, which started a new family activity. Little did they know, at the time, their group would grow in number.
The Valparaiso family, members of St. Paul Catholic Church, includes parents Ron and Chrystal Donahue, along with their three kids Conner, 15, Audrey, 13, and Valerie, 10. “We started biking as a family and really like it. You get to see parts of the community you never knew,” said Ron Donahue.
He explained that the family’s first goal was to do Chicago’s Bike the Drive. The next year the family sponsored a bike rack at the parish as they noticed more people starting to ride their bikes to church, as well as school.
Known as the bike riding family in the community, they’ve served as an example, getting others to travel with them to church.
This year the family shifted gears and decided to start a bicycling ministry at St. Paul called the St. Paul Pedallers. To promote the group, the family designed a logo and stickers. The logo showcases bicyclists against a picture of St. Paul church in the background.
“Our goal is to get exercise, have fun, but also get to know the people we sit in the pews with every weekend,” said Ron Donahue.
He pointed out the parish has roughly 60 different ministries, from preparing funeral meals to children’s liturgy. “This is another way to tap into some of the people who maybe those ministries aren’t a good fit but being out and active in the community is.”
The first ride organized by the St. Paul Pedallers was held on May 11 on the parish grounds with 25 bicyclists joining in, including Father Roque Meraz, associate pastor.
“I was scared nobody was going to show up because when we pulled in, only Leo (from Leo’s Mobile Bike Shop) was in the parking lot,” recalled Ron Donahue.
The bike shop was prepared to inspect everybody’s bike if needed. Within 10 minutes, people started filing into the location. Donahue shared he was happy with the number of riders that included a span of ages, from five years old to those in retirement years.
Six more rides are scheduled throughout the summer which vary in length at different Porter County locations. They include Aug. 3 (9 a.m.) at Kirchoff Park in Valparaiso, Sept. 14 (10 a.m.) at St. Paul and Oct. 19 (10 a.m.) at Rogers Park in Valparaiso.
“We didn’t want to limit it to people who could bike ride just at the physical location of the church. We picked different parks around the county to make it more convenient for church members and even those relatives or neighbors who don’t attend church,” said Ron Donahue.
“The fall ride at Rogers Park which is very picturesque with leaves changing colors,” he said “You can still do spiritual things, be with God, have good fellowship outside of church and inside of church. We hope by doing this we can get to know people on a whole different level other than ‘Oh, that’s the guy who sits three pews in front of me.’”
Conner and Valerie Donahue agreed they enjoy having their friends join them on the rides.
“It’s a fun and enjoyable experience,” said Conner Donahue. “It’s better than going to the gym. You get to spend more time with friends and be able to connect with people.”
Valerie Donahue said it forces everyone to put their cellphones away and allows more time to enjoy the scenery.
Megan Hochbaum joined the group with her husband, Dean, and nine-year-old niece Katie Cornett and her father, Rick Rupcich. “We thought this was a great opportunity to get outside with fellow parishioners and as a family,” said the St. Paul parishioner.
Megan Hochbaum added that the Pedallers have somewhat freed her from her indoor bike, allowing the family to bike around the neighborhood and join others in the monthly rides. “Our first outing was a beautiful breezy morning, and it was just delightful to feel the sun and wind on your face,” she said.
Katie Cornett, a St. Paul School third grader, stated she liked getting the Pedaller’s sticker, which she placed on her bike helmet. “It made me feel like an official peddler,” she said.
Hochbaum expressed her appreciation for the Donahue family’s initiative.
“Ron and his family are wonderful for starting this ministry and I'm so appreciative that we have these opportunities at St. Paul's to reach the community in different ways."
Caption: Members of the St. Paul Pedallers gets ready to begin their ride in early May. (Photo provided)