Bicycling sisters present their journey riding Underground Railroad
They're back in the saddle again.
Evie Weber of Arlington Heights and her sister, Norma Witherbee of Morton Grove hung up their bike helmets last summer, after their 2,100-mile bike trek that followed the slaves' route to freedom, along the Underground Railroad.
They filed occasional updates, which ran in the Neighbor section of the Daily Herald, throughout the summer.
But last week, they began retracing their steps, er pedals, at area libraries and for local groups, in a presentation they call, "The Cycling Sisters Following the Underground Railroad."
Already they have appeared at the Zion Public Library and at the Lutheran Home & Services in Arlington Heights. Today at 10 a.m. they will speak to members of Roosevelt University's Institute for Continued Learning in Schaumburg.
More dates are scheduled in May at libraries in Lake Zurich, Prospect Heights and Morton Grove, and with Harper College's Lifelong Learning Institute.
They narrate a PowerPoint presentation, which shows some of the places they went and people they met, with appropriate music woven in for effect.
"It's really about touching the heart and soul of our country," Weber says. "I guarantee that no one will fall asleep. It moves along quickly -- not unlike our biking."
She and her sister have found the cross-country bike treks to be something of a fountain of youth. Weber turned 70 during last year's ride, while Witherbee is 74, and their friend, Sandy Gettle, who rode much of the ride with them, is 65.
"We just have this desire to see the heartland of our country, from the seat of our bicycle," Weber says simply.
Their Underground Railroad excursion took place three years after the sisters retraced Lewis and Clark's expedition on their bikes.
A program they presented reflecting on highlights of the Lewis and Clark trip was named among the "best of the best" last year by area librarians.
Look for their current program to include some quick hits from their top 10 favorite moments along the two month trip. They include:
10) The B & B "Cottage on the Lake " overlooking Lake Erie
9) Prime rib dinner on Mother's Day
8) The Avenue of Flags, Cleveland, Ohio
7) The doctor at a restaurant taking stitches out of Gettle's leg with a paring knife
6) The second to the last day -- 65 miles, perfect weather and a 12-mile downhill
5) Sleeping on the ballroom floor of a renovated home from the 1800s
4) Crossing the Peace Bridge into Canada and reading Harriet Tubman's song
3) Harrison Park, Owen Sound, Canada, the Cairn honoring the slaves
2) Attending the church service at the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church
And No. 1 …
1) Starting their trek at the corner of St. Louis and Royal streets, former slave market, in Mobile, Ala.