2025 Blog

Pedal the Pacific Retreat with Lumos

Sitting in the back seat, driving through Giddings, Texas, I feel a bit dizzy with the thought of all the experiences yet to come. I’m unsure yet steady, grounded in my belief in the immense work Pedal The Pacific does. Fifty minutes later, we arrive in Austin, Texas—RETREAT WEEKEND!

When applications opened up for the opportunity to be part of the Pedal 2025 team, I was hesitant. I had been here once before and let the chance pass me by. For a couple of weeks, I went back and forth, doing deep dives on the Pedal website and social media. The recurring theme of “Do it scared” rang in my head until the last two days of the application window. I knew I couldn’t pass up this chance again without throwing my hat in.

Pedal The Pacific is so outside the box that I thought myself incapable of ever being part of it. Many reasons pushed me to apply—growing as an advocate, as a leader, and as a person overall—but mostly the opportunity to take action and be the change. Being able to step out of my comfort zone to create change in such a unique way—what’s stopping me? I did it scared.

The 2025 team at Dogspeed Cycles in Austin, TX

When we got to retreat, I immediately knew I had made the right decision. The support, love, and care that surround the Pedal movement are so ingrained in everything we do. We are fighting against the fastest-growing crime in America, one that strips people of their bodily autonomy. Domestic sex trafficking is no easy topic to broach, but Pedal The Pacific makes these conversations approachable.

Saturday morning—BIKE DAY! Waking up, a couple of my teammates immediately put on our Lumos helmets. Everyone is excited and nervous, and we all feel it in the air. We receive our bikes and learn loads of bike safety information. It’s becoming real. We roll out for our first team ride—13 miles! For most of us, this is our first road bike and our first time riding this many miles (at least in a very long time).

We worked together, communicated, and somehow made it to our first SAG stop at mile 7. The first half was filled with nerves, losing my footing (mentally and physically), wondering how I’m going to take off for 1700 miles in six short months. We refueled, checked in, and again rolled out. Six more miles, and much to my surprise, we survived. Although this ride was not particularly challenging physically, it felt like taking a giant leap off a springboard, and I’m still falling.

Throughout the weekend, we heard from alumni, sharing their transformative experiences and advice. We also heard firsthand from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Since NCMEC is our primary beneficiary, getting to hear about the work they are doing in relation to prevention and survivor support is so valuable and deepens our roots in this cause.

I believe we all want to be part of something we are passionate about that drives us. Pedal The Pacific draws people who want to grow as leaders and advocates and make lasting impact. Pedal The Pacific is filled with boundless, deeply compassionate women. We will continue to be part of the fight against sex trafficking until no one is for sale. I’m leaving retreat feeling more empowered than ever. I feel the love and care my teammates and I already have for each other. Although this experience is just beginning, I can already feel that there is nothing like it. Pedal the Pacific is magical, it’s the epitome of girlhood. 

"I believe we all want to be part of something we are passionate about that drives us."

I’m nervous for what’s ahead, but I know that in Pedal, I have found a wonderful community that will support me along the way.

Thank you, Lumos, for being part of our journey.

July 12, 2024
by 
Chloe Aguilar

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