safari trek rv

A cross-country trek supports books and bikes

A 1984 graduate of Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, where he played soccer, and the co-owner of Snowbird Softball, which runs softball tournaments in South Carolina, Vrabel has always exhibited a commitment to mentoring young people.

On Memorial Day, he and his nephews, Jon Vrabel of Kingston, R.I., and Andy Underwood of Morgantown, W.Va., embarked on a cross-country bike ride, which will show their commitment to these values. Beginning at the Venice Beach Fishing Pier, near Santa Monica, Calif., they planned to ride through California, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia and then to Asbury Park, N.J.

Titled “Bikes, Books and Better Living,” the adventure will combine periods of bike riding and reading in an effort to model healthy behaviors for young people.

“This is a result of a promise that I made to my nephews a few years ago,” Vrabel said during an earlier interview, “when I promised them that upon their college graduation, that we would bike cross country. Nephews never forget. I am amazed at the response that we have received, both on the Internet and in person. People have been totally positive.”

He said the event has received hundreds of comments on its Facebook page.

So, bike and book in hand, the group started its journey across the country, having been invited to various libraries to read to young people eagerly waiting to listen.

And the group was quite eager to get going. Neither the bike riding nor the reading has anything “lightweight” about it. The reading material included several classics, such as John Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath,” and Garth Stein’s, “The Art of Racing in the Rain.”

“I want the reading material itself to reflect diversity and balance,” said Vrabel.

Vrabel is also accompanied by his father, Frank Vrabel, Denville, N.J., and nephew Jon Vrabel’s girlfriend, Danielle Marie Limoncelli, Cranford, N.J., who will follow the group in an RV. Kevin Vrabel reflected on the great influence that his father had in his life in regard to positive attitude and balance. The senior Vrabel is just as likely to share views on literary topics as he was to spend an afternoon rooting for the Mets.

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