Underground Railroad Bike Tour 2009

For 34 days during May and June 2009, Mike Smith biked approximately 2,028 miles along the Underground Railroad route to raise $30,000 for diversity scholarships at Lipscomb. "I have seen too many students quit school for financial reasons," he says.

Click here to see Mike's route through the nation.

Click Here to read a day-by-day account of the trip. 

The Ride

Mike Smith (’82), Director for High Rise Residence Hall at Lipscomb, rode approximately 2,028 miles along the Underground Railroad route from Mobile, Alabama, to Ontario, Canada.  The path he followed is based partly on the spiritual “Follow the Drinking Gourd.” The “Drinking Gourd” is a colloquial name for the “Big Dipper,” the constellation that points to Polaris, the North Star.  Many slaves followed that star north to freedom.  Adventure Cycling has chosen to honor the bravery of that period of history by developing this bicycle tour.  The route passes through Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. The ride was divided into five sections based on the Adventure Cycling Association mapping system. Smith, who rides with Lipscomb students on a regular basis, rode between 40 and 100 miles per day averaging 62.5 miles daily, about a six- to eight-hour ride. Smith rested overnight in local hotels and as the guest of various church members and cross country biking enthusiasts. The ride lasted 34 days. Kerry Roberts chaired the Bike Tour Campaign. Bill Ezell served as the honorary chair for the campaign.

The Reason

Mike Smith has lived in the dorm for over ten years with nearly 400 students each semester.  His journey will raise funds for under-represented students who have significant needs for support.  “I have seen too many students have to move out of the dorm or quit school for a semester or two for financial reasons.  It also troubles me to see students graduate with a massive amount of debt.  While I would love to help all students receive help toward their educational expenses, I am particularly excited about this trip and tying the Underground Railroad toward an opportunity to help provide scholarships for students of different ethnic backgrounds.”

“I’ve been biking for over 13 years now. I bike with family, friends and the Lipscomb community several times a year. When you choose a bike route and set a goal, there’s a sense of self-gratification at the end of the trip. Connecting with friends and alumni along the way, creating and renewing relationships during this ride, will be an aspect of this bike tour, but there will be a deeper purpose. I am going to raise funds to create diversity scholarships for students wanting to study at Lipscomb but who need financial assistance to do so,” said Smith.

The Reward

The goal is to raise $30,000 for diversity scholarships by giving donors an opportunity to make a gift based on the total miles of the trip.  These additional scholarship funds will provide hope for minority students who want to attend Lipscomb University but who are unable to cover the financial costs alone.  Donors can make their gifts online or can send a check to Sonja Hayes, director of annual giving and special programs, at Lipscomb University, One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204.

For more information about the Bike Tour Campaign, contact Sonja Hayes at 615.966.5720 or sonja.hayes@lipscomb.edu.

“Providing hope for others and opening doors for educational opportunities is a very rewarding experience,” said Smith.

Contact Mike Smith, High Rise Residence Hall Director, for more information.  Mike may be reached at 615.966.1331, 800.333.4358 ext. 1331, or mike.smith@lipscomb.edu.