By Penny Lopez and Kevin Coughlin
At first, David Higgins just wanted an adventure.
But someone suggested to the college student that his cross-country bike ride would be an even greater adventure with a cause strapped on.
And so, Higgins, 21, pedaled Monday to Deirdre’s House in Morristown, a long way from his June starting point in Seattle, to spread “gratitude and awareness” for children’s advocacy centers that combat child abuse.
“I feel like it’s easy to ride a bicycle. But to put your heart and soul on the line every day, and really invest in the kids, is not an easy thing,” said Higgins, who was helped by a center like Deirdre’s when he was abused as an 11-year-old in Washington State.
He remembers testifying as a boy at the trial that sent his attacker to jail.
Higgins’ journey is chronicled on his Facebook page, Ride2Recover, which links to a GoFundMe campaign to underwrite his trip and raise money for child sexual abuse prevention programs.
He charted his route by studying the National Children’s Alliance website, which lists locations of centers across the country.
Slideshow photos by Penny Lopez.
A REFUGE
Higgins praised the warm, friendly atmosphere inside Deirdre’s House, a place decorated with streamers and loaded with games, stuffed animals and comfy couches.
“It’s like a kids ball,” he said.
Established in 1994, Deirdre’s House is Morris County’s center for child victims of abuse and/or neglect, and for children who have seen domestic violence.
It’s a refuge where young victims can receive help, and be interviewed by authorities, in a safe, non-threatening environment.
The center was founded by the parents of Deirdre O’Brien, a 25-year-old artist who was abducted, raped and murdered by a serial killer.
Staff members told Higgins about efforts in New Jersey to stamp out human trafficking, which many state residents learned about when the Super Bowl came to Giants Stadium.
‘IT’S ALL GOING TO WORK OUT’
As adventures go, cross-country cycling requires both physical and mental toughness.
“Every day feels like I’m doing a marathon, because I’m on my bike six- to eight hours a day,” Higgins said “That’s a lot of sunshine on my face and on my body.”
But you get used to it, he affirmed.
And it beats going on foot. His heavily loaded Kona 21-speed is slow enough for him to see the world passing by, yet “fast enough so you don’t get bored with it.”
Going coast-to-coast has opened his eyes to America’s diversity, said Higgins, scheduled to complete his trip on Tuesday at the Statue of Liberty.
In Seattle, everyone is personable and “pretty chill”; here in the East, “it’s go-go-go.”
This trek also has taught him problem-solving skills, he said. Instead of fearing the unknown, he deals with whatever comes at him.
“The best advice anyone has ever given me in traveling is, don’t worry about how things are going to happen. It’s all going to work out. And with that, you don’t have to worry.”
