We Ride So They May Be Free!
Cyclists Fight the Battle Against Human Trafficking in Iowa
Megan met a man online and traveled a long way to meet him. During their “relationship,” he forced her to become addicted to heroin and then began trafficking her for sexual exploitation to various cities around the United States.
Megan’s mother felt frantic and helpless as she searched for her daughter. She heard about a national organization called Hope for Justice, who battles human trafficking around the United States.
She said, “The first call I got was from the investigator at Hope for Justice. He was positive about what I had sent him, and said you have a case. I was very confident that they would keep digging and the instigators would get justice.”
There are countless stories like Megan taking place in our world every day, and the reason why a group of men and women bike 200 miles in one day, from Des Moines and Omaha to Okoboji.
Break the Cycle 200 (BTC200) is composed of hard-core cyclists who push their bodies as a platform to fight human trafficking. Formally called OK200: Stop the Traffic, the one-day bike ride initially began in 2011, as a feat of self-achievement. The following year, the ride became a purpose beyond personal goals and pride and became an opportunity to raise awareness and fight injustice in the world.
Rocky Vest, a founder of BTC200 said, “None of us knew that we would be where we are today. We just wanted to use our bikes and help others.”
BTC200 has grown over the years and become a part of the Hope for Justice family. Vest said when these two non-profit groups work together, they can more effectively rescue more victims and provide aftercare to help survivors through their healing journey.
These organizations also lobby legislature for positive changes so offenders are prosecuted for their actions, as well as to raise money for law enforcement training so trafficking can be recognized, and assistance provided. Funds are used to provide prevention awareness and to help victims after they have been rescued.
“These victims of human trafficking have experienced modern-day slavery and have gone through hell,” Clint Loveall, Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake. “These evil people are taking advantage of those who are vulnerable, and many victims have been sex trafficked and become drug and alcohol dependent. These are battle scars they will fight their entire life.”
Loveall has been riding in the event for the past six years, along with several other local men. Loveall feels awareness has grown against human trafficking in Iowa, as more stories are reported, and cases are tried legally.
“Unfortunately for human trafficking, Iowa has major thoroughfares that go in all directions, so it becomes easy to get someone out of the state fast if they foresee trouble,” Loveall explained. “Also, we are a state of rural areas where vulnerable people can be hidden—trafficking is out there and around us.”
He said riding is a tiny way he can help, “If enough people are willing to play a tiny part, we can make a difference and save lives, especially when you hear the stories of victims and gain information. The cyclists find it to be an easy cause to get behind and are even more willing to sign up to ride again.”
The One-Day 200 Mile Bike Ride
On June 25, 2021, two groups left from both Des Moines and Omaha and met along the route. The ride moved fast, and the cyclists stayed close together in a pack.
“It’s pretty tight riding, so you need to be a confident rider,” Loveall shared. “The weather conditions can easily make the day more demanding as well.”
The bike ride traveled on county blacktops, with a car in front and back. The group went through towns like Perry, Lake City, Laurens, and Terril. Every 30 miles, they stopped 10 minutes, grabbing a bite to eat and to use the bathroom.
“In cycling, a hundred-mile day is pretty common,” Loveall said. “A 200 distance is much more demanding for even those who have been training. We go long enough, where even fit and strong riders are going to struggle at some point. But we will gladly embrace a little suffering to raise funds and awareness to help people who are suffering and don’t have a choice.”
Over the course of the day, the weather can have a huge impact, especially if the wind is strong. Unless it’s severe weather, the group continues to move northwest towards the Iowa Great Lakes no matter the conditions.
Okoboji Ride
The first year Loveall rode, the group quietly came into Okoboji and finished at a cabin along Minnewashta Lake. Gradually, local residents heard about the event and began to get involved, and now, BTC200 finishes at Arnolds Park Amusement Park and receives a police escort beginning at Trigg’s Bay Resort. This protects cyclists, especially as they cross through the Broadway and Hwy 71 exit.
“The escort is very helpful as we generally come in on a Friday between 6–7 p.m., as it can be tricky to go through the intersection with a large group of cyclists,” he said. “I’m so proud of our area because there’s so many ways to help fight human trafficking whether you ride BTC200 or not.”
A special celebration takes place after the ride at Arnolds Park. There have also been years, where host homes are found for riders and a breakfast is provided for cyclists before they head back to Des Moines or Omaha.
Real Lives Changed Forever
Megan was saved and reunited with her mother after a team of Hope for Justice investigators, who are also former law enforcement officers, tracked her down and rescued her from her horrifying situation of exploitation and abuse. The investigation was then turned over to law enforcement for prosecution.
BTC200 and Hope for Justice deal with countless cases like this, where vulnerable young children are exploited into sex trafficking and often sucked into this culture through false promises and then kept compliant through deception, drugs, threats, and violence.
The money raised through BTC200 positively impacts thousands of lives every year, helping save lives and then providing health care and rehabilitative care. In the last few years, with the help of BTC200, Hope for Justice has successfully reunited 1,208 vulnerable and exploited children home to their parents. The group has also trained 20,686 individuals on how to spot signs of human trafficking and has reached 102,803 children through global programs across five continents and 30-plus locations.
If anyone is interested in participating in the 2022 BTC200 ride, contact Loveall. “While 200 miles is definitely a big day, trained and prepared cyclists will find it very doable,” he shared. “I would be glad to visit with anyone who is interested in the ride or may like to contribute to the organization’s cause.” More information can also be found at breakthecycle.com and hopeforjustice.org.
“In cycling, a hundred-mile day is pretty common,” Loveall said. “A 200 distance is much more demanding for even those who have been training. We go long enough, where even fit and strong riders are going to struggle at some point. But we will gladly embrace a little suffering to raise funds and awareness to help people who are suffering and don’t have a choice.”
Over the course of the day, the weather can have a huge impact, especially if the wind is strong. Unless it’s severe weather, the group continues to move northwest towards the Iowa Great Lakes no matter the conditions.
Okoboji Ride
The first year Loveall rode, the group quietly came into Okoboji and finished at a cabin along Minnewashta Lake. Gradually, local residents heard about the event and began to get involved, and now, BTC200 finishes at Arnolds Park Amusement Park and receives a police escort beginning at Trigg’s Bay Resort. This protects cyclists, especially as they cross through the Broadway and Hwy 71 exit.
“The escort is very helpful as we generally come in on a Friday between 6–7 p.m., as it can be tricky to go through the intersection with a large group of cyclists,” he said. “I’m so proud of our area because there’s so many ways to help fight human trafficking whether you ride BTC200 or not.”
A special celebration takes place after the ride at Arnolds Park. There have also been years, where host homes are found for riders and a breakfast is provided for cyclists before they head back to Des Moines or Omaha.
Real Lives Changed Forever
Megan was saved and reunited with her mother after a team of Hope for Justice investigators, who are also former law enforcement officers, tracked her down and rescued her from her horrifying situation of exploitation and abuse. The investigation was then turned over to law enforcement for prosecution.
BTC200 and Hope for Justice deal with countless cases like this, where vulnerable young children are exploited into sex trafficking and often sucked into this culture through false promises and then kept compliant through deception, drugs, threats, and violence.
The money raised through BTC200 positively impacts thousands of lives every year, helping save lives and then providing health care and rehabilitative care. In the last few years, with the help of BTC200, Hope for Justice has successfully reunited 1,208 vulnerable and exploited children home to their parents. The group has also trained 20,686 individuals on how to spot signs of human trafficking and has reached 102,803 children through global programs across five continents and 30-plus locations.
If anyone is interested in participating in the 2022 BTC200 ride, contact Loveall. “While 200 miles is definitely a big day, trained and prepared cyclists will find it very doable,” he shared. “I would be glad to visit with anyone who is interested in the ride or may like to contribute to the organization’s cause.” More information can also be found at breakthecycle.com and hopeforjustice.org.