Saratoga News

Louise Webb

SARATOGA BICYCLIST DISCOVERED PEOPLE ARE GOOD, KIND

Numerous people were kind to 1990 Saratoga High School graduate Laura Kummerer when she bicycled through several states, covering over 5,220 miles, on a four-month trip last summer.

Laura shared her adventures with me while visiting her parents, Carol and Bob Kummerer, in Saratoga. Bicycling has been a way of life for Laura. She often rode 15 to 30 miles a day for transportation and was experienced at riding hills.

Her parents weren't happy their 22-year-old daughter chose to venture out alone, even though her trip was well planned. At the beginning, Laura's worried father followed her in his van. After two days, he let her go with a promise from Laura that she would call home nightly.

Her major goals were to see country one wouldn't see by car and to be open to strangers. Laura sensed who she could trust and avoided sticky situations. She found people to be welcoming. People could tell by her gear she was passing through.

The adventurer carried all that she would need on her bicycle, including a stove, a sleeping bag and a tent. She slept in all kinds of places, including a schoolyard, city parks and churches.

Sometimes, when the weather was bad, Laura rang doorbells and asked if she could sleep in a stranger's yard. Other times she slept in homes of families she met who took an interest in her. The women she met were her strongest supporters.

Her favorite place was Kentucky. There she saw people on porches rocking in their rocking chairs and the Amish driving horse-drawn buggies. She admired their simple lifestyle.

Returning home, Laura discovered a lot about herself through testing the waters. She learned what it is like to be homeless and to take down barriers and see the homeless as people. She saw she could be happy and strong and even survive monetary poverty. Material things have become less important to her.

Laura is looking forward to helping others who wish to travel by bike with tips she has learned from her experience. She plans to open her house to other cyclists embarking on their own journeys.