Wanderlust Summer 2008
In the Summer of 2007, Nora Dye set off on “Wanderlust with Rhonda”, a bicycle journey across the country to explore the politics of sexuality and reproductive health care in America.
Wanderlust is usually described as “desire to see the world”, or “having an itch to travel”. Some people call it itchy feet. I chose the name Wanderlust to represent the spirit of this trip, which is dedicated to talking to people about the convoluted and endlessly fascinating ways we deal with sexuality in our culture. Rhonda, of course, is the name of Nora’s bicycle.
3 months, 4,600 miles, 23 states, 2 dog bites, and many adventures later, she had learned far more than I ever imagined about the amazing organizing, education, and health care happening from Princeton to Portland. Over the course of the trip, she was able to make connections, raise awareness about what others were doing through my conversations, and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by advocates for reproductive justice.
She had such a good time last summer that this summer, she’s doing it again, and she’s bringing friends! From May 26th - July 2nd, a group of fifteen women is traveling from New Orleans to New York City with the Wanderlust story collective and bicycle caravan.
In solidarity with local activists and rooted in the belief that sharing stories is a powerful way to elevate awareness and create social change, we’ll be pedaling from town to town to listen to your stories and document how communities across the country are working to expand access to reproductive health care, defend reproductive rights, and promote reproductive justice.
By traveling the country and listening to those organizations and people who are fighting for reproductive, sexual, and political autonomy, we will document the inspirational, groundbreaking work happening across the country and build horizontal networks to strengthen our collective movement for reproductive health, rights, and justice.
For more about the tour, visit the blog on the front page, or check out the PEP webpage.
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1.
Emily | March 29, 2008 at 9:42 am
Hello, Wanderlust!
My name’s Emily and I came to your site through http://www.feministing.com. I want you to know that if I weren’t living in France right now, I would definitely be applying to join you on Wanderlust 2008 because I think it’s the most amazing thing you’re doing. Keep us all posted on Wanderlust 2009… maybe I’ll be meeting you then! I’m looking forward to reading all about your adventures!
2.
Dana Textoris | March 30, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Nora, way to get an awesome plug in Feministing.org. It is so exciting that you are taking Rhonda on the road again — and gathering up new friends to join!
3.
Captain Rob McCoy | May 26, 2008 at 7:19 pm
From : Engine 31 (The House of the Rising Sun)
New Orleans Fire Dept.
Hello ladies, Well hope the rest of your day was safe and sweat free. To those that don’t know who we are, we met these biker girls by the side of the road Hwy 90 ( N.O. East) and offered them ice and a restroom an offer they could’nt refuse.
After stopping for a few miutes refeshing themselves and explaining who they were and what they were doing they hit the highway again.
Good luck to all of you and ride safe. Remember when in need check in with the local firemen we’re open 24 hours a day / 7days a week.
Rob McCoy
Captain Engine # 31
New Orleans Fire Dept.
New Orleans La.
4.
Kim | June 11, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Hello Wanderlust! Thank you for stopping by for dinner and breakfast. Your strength inspires me to do more now and be more alive. Enjoy these wildly unique moments.
5.
Lori Sandlin | June 11, 2008 at 10:33 pm
You beautiful ladies left my house this morning and my 9 year old daughter Katie and I cried. The gift you gave us is truly priceless and we will remember you all in our hearts forever. Your presence in my daughters life is extraordinary and I am forever GRATEFUL that she witnessed and lived with you in your “microcosim” for 19 hours. It will be life changing for her. It already is, she can’t stop talking about you and what (ya’ll ) are doing…..she’s literally told everyone she’s talked to today!!!!!
Safe travels……Goddess speed to you
Until We Meet Again,
Love Always,
Lori Sandlin
Augusta, GA
6.
ron adams | June 13, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Hi ladies. I am kathleen’s dad. I am so proud of your energy and passion to inform the public about hiv/aids in the communities you travel through. As a internist I am well aware of the importance of education to activate a paient to take action. Thanks Ron Adams.
7.
xander | June 20, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Howdy Howdy, I am so excited to meet you all in Baltimore. Stacey has told me about your amazing adventure and I can’t wait to have you here!!!!
Congrats on all your hard work, and I will see you in a week.
-Xander
8.
Jen K | June 22, 2008 at 4:50 pm
It was so great to meet you on your stop here in Chapel Hill. I thought you might enjoy this link (I mentioned the DC-PA bike path to a few of you…) http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001903.php
Good for future fantasy trips too. Happy riding from the CH library ladies.
9.
Richard Robinson | June 23, 2008 at 5:27 am
Hope you all are doing well–haven’t heard for E since Friday.
What’s up?
-Rich
10.
revphil | August 22, 2008 at 12:43 am
this sounds so good. I have been touring around the US showing a series of independent movies by various artists on the theme, “bike porn” and challenging bike communities to define what is obscene for themselves.
I plan to pimp your ideas on our blog: http://bikesmut.com
best,
reverend phil
bicycle pornographer