‘Cyclemates Bike’ launches fundraising effort for new sculpture in Mercer Island

January 11, 2017 10:30 am
A bronze sculpture designed by artist Pamela DeVries will commemorate Fran Call’s Cyclemates. Image courtesy of Cyclemates
A bronze sculpture designed by artist Pamela DeVries will commemorate Fran Call’s Cyclemates. Image courtesy of Cyclemates

Each summer between 1969 and 1993, Mercer Island teacher Fran Call organized and led groups of 15 of her Mercer Island junior high students on long distance adventures.

On some trips the young teens pedaled nearly 4,000 miles from Mercer Island to the East Coast, on trips lasting two months. Traveling an average of 85 miles a day, without support vehicle and camping along the way, these intrepid kids made their community proud as they learned lessons to last a lifetime.

Some Cyclemates alumni have organized an effort, “Cyclemates Bike,” to place a bronze sculpture on the Island to commemorate their unforgettable experiences and the impact they had on their lives.

Artist Pamela DeVries has designed the sculpture, which features a bronze of an actual Cyclemates bicycle and gear, standing on a 30-inch tall granite base. Bronze signposts list the main destinations of the rides, with the year or years in which they were accomplished. The base is engraved with a short summary about the Cyclemates and a quote from Albert Einstein; on the reverse side is a map with the four longest trips and the Cyclemate creed: “Courteous, Capable, Careful, Determined.”

The Cyclemates Bike has the support of the Mercer Island Arts Council, and is working with the Arts Council to determine the best site for the sculpture.

“The majestic piece of art will be presented to the city of Mercer Island for permanent display,” said Laurie Lyford, alumna of Cyclemates III, which rode from Mercer Island to Halifax, Nova Scotia. “It will commemorate the feats of hundreds of intrepid kids who rose to extraordinary challenges and made their community proud.”

Lyford is the organizer of the project; others include Duane Eng, Jane Meyer Brahm and Fran Call.

The group is seeking donations to help pay for the $36,000 sculpture, which they hope to have installed next summer.

To make a donation, or for more information, visit https://cyclematesbike.wordpress.com/ or visit the Cyclemates Facebook page. Donations may be made online at the website, or by check to Cyclemates Bike, P.O. Box 1122, Mercer Island, 98040.