Stanford Spokes 2018

A STEM-teaching service trip across the rural U.S. coupled with a cross-country bike ride.

Stanford Spokes was many things:

a reflection of my freshman year of college, a chance to learn how to teach, a practice trial for future travels, a crash course on how to run and fundraise an organization, an opportunity to see and meet the side of America I’ve never seen, and of course,
a beginning of many long, long friendships.

Highlights

riding out of Sacramento on the American River Bike Trail

biking with Zdenko, a fellow bikepacker, across the Loneliest Road, NV

meeting dozens of generous hosts on Warmshowers (shout out to Joan & Greg of Carson City, Carrie and Russ of Rangley)

blasting off into space at the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center

riding over the U.S.’s highest paved road at Rocky Mountain National Park

replacing our perfectly good bananas with incredibly bruised bananas in Kansas (great smoothies though)

riding to the Washington Memorial in the wee hours of the morning

Achievements

Raised over 10,000 dollars in funds to purchase bikes, plane tickets, teaching supplies, and groceries

Collected 50+ surveys from students about quality of curriculum and potential improvements

Statistics

Participants: Brad Immel, Alyssa Diaz, Rachel Hu, Vivian Nguyen, Brian Ly, Olivia Higa, Alex Li

Length of trip (days): 73
Length of trip (miles): 3706
Miles traveled on interstates: 5.3
Number of states visited: 11
Number of capitals visited: 6
Number of kids taught: 150+
Longest time without a showers (days): 6
Longest bike ride (miles): 153
Top speed (mph): 56
Number of continental divide summits: 3
Number of flat tire changes: too many
Number of library cards applied for: 1

Favorite city: Kansas City, KS
Favorite town: Rangley, CO
Best national park: Great Basin N.P.
Worst roads: Kentucky
Lowest Point: Crockett, CA (18 ft)
Highest point: Trail Ridge Rd, CO (11 796 ft)