Ride across the country for a good cause comes to an end

PLAINS – In June of this year, former Methodist Pastor Thomas Hall retired from his position as parishioner to his small flock in Plains.

Hall resigned to ride a specialized recumbent bike across the United States with riding partner Rick Stiles of Missoula to raise awareness about a project he has been involved with in South Africa.

“We build houses over there. We take people out of a housing situation that has no running water, no electricity and we build them a brick structure,” said Hall. “The houses have water, power and indoor plumbing. We help people find skills and a market for their skills that allow them to raise their standard of living.”

Hall said the effort does not simply throw money at the issue of poverty in South Africa but utilizes a method that provides a means to sustain an improved living situation. Hall said this keeps South Africans from becoming dependent upon foreign support and provides an “economic loop” that allows them to remain independent.

The organization that Hall works with was created by two South Africans and is called Mosaic.

Mosaic is a non-profit organization founded by Meyer and Louise Conradie whose mission is to create a sustainable economy in some of the poorest areas of South Africa.

Mosaic accomplishes this monumental task by building homes in South African townships working with locals and the assistance of workers from the United States and Canada.

Groups such as the one that Hall has worked with build the homes over a period of two weeks and then turns the home over to a family that otherwise would continue to live in squalor.

“In 14 days we change the world,” said Hall.

Mosaic then provides job training for the family members in specific skills to generate income. The family pays a subsidized rent and is able to provide for their needs.

Starting in Seaside, OR, Hall and Stiles rode over 3,700 miles averaging over 65 miles a day.

The duo spent time talking with people they met along the way about the project in South Africa and listening to people’s stories.

Hall and Stiles slept in churches, campgrounds and occasionally in motels during the endeavor.

They drank approximately ten gallons of water a day and faced a combination of physical and mental obstacles along the way.

“Physically some of the most challenging parts were here in Montana,” said Hall. “Sometimes you have to focus on one pedal at a time. You start to rely on emotional endurance and you have to dig deep sometimes.”

The route took the two through Montana, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Canada eventually ending in Bar Harbor, Maine having ridden over 3,700 miles.

“It felt great. We had a great time,” said Hall. “We dipped our tires into the Atlantic Ocean and then we had lobster.”