What do you get when you combine a guy with a love for biking and a desire to help children with special needs? Binyamin Muller, a graduate of TABC (2012) and currently a Queens College undergrad, along with 10 other cyclists from around the country, just completed a cross country ride for The Friendship Circle.

The six week adventure started in San Diego and culminated in Brooklyn, traveling through 15 states and 40 cities. It was a 3,100 mile ride to raise money and awareness for Friendship Circle. Their journey took them through rain, hail and 116 degree weather. Through the mountains and the plains, through the desert and the rolling hills. Along the way they spent Shabbos at Chabad houses across the country.

This was a huge undertaking for Muller; the longest he had ridden before this trip were 100 miles on a cycling trip with his mother, Freeda Muller, while training. She told the JLNJ, “Binyamin was interested in riding across America and found this group doing the ride. He has worked with disabled children at Camp HASC and knew that this ride was the perfect combination of two things he is passionate about: riding and helping children with disabilities.”

During the second week of the ride, Muller hurt his knee. He was only able to ride 10 or 20 miles for a couple of days and was afraid he was not able to continue with the trip. With divine help, he recovered after a few days and was able to continue on with his task.

Muller added that one of the high points of the trip was meeting a boy with cerebral palsy who told the group about his life and his struggles, and how much The Friendship Circle helps him. It gave the group motivation to see that they were making a difference in the lives of these children and their families. Another high point, aside from riding the Rockies, was having his parents ride with him the last day of the trip from Short Hills to Brooklyn and having everyone there to greet him at the end of his long journey.