From dark highways to tales of the Vietnam War, Raphael Fenski’s cross-border journey to support unhoused youth didn’t come without challenges.
Fenski, a former German exchange student at Queen’s who attended the University from September to December, biked from Kingston to Washington D.C. to raise money for the Kingston Youth Shelter. He completed the 1,037-km journey in nine days, biking from December 9 to 14. Doubling his initial target of $2,000, Fenski raised $4,475 for his “Race Against the Cold” fundraiser supporting Kingston’s unhoused youth.
A member of Queen’s Varsity Cycling Club, Fenski was accompanied by two peers to the Canadian border before starting his solo venture into the United States.
Fenski’s journey was filled with trials and tribulations, despite his competitive cycling background. He recalls the dangers of cycling down a dark highway with no shoulder in Pennsylvania, and his encounter with a group of men carrying guns, as formidable moments. His greatest setbacks were the four flat tires he got on the second day of his journey, when the conditions were bitterly cold. The prospect of continuing to cycle for seven more days was daunting, but Fenski pushed through.
“At times it was hard to keep my motivation but I wanted to complete the journey,” Fenski said in an interview with The Journal.
Along the way, Fenski relied on the app Warm Shower, which helps cross-country bikers find lodging at night so they can clean up after conquering particularly muddy trails. Using the app, Fenski stayed with a former American military officer and an individual who lived through the Vietnam War. His host provided Fenski with good conversation and a warm meal before he hit the road again to race against the cold.
The fundraiser title, “Race Against the Cold,” holds sentimental significance to Fenski. Fenski’s uncle was unhoused and passed away from cold temperatures while living on the streets of Berlin. This fundraiser is a way to honour his uncle, and serves as a reminder that nobody should be left out in the cold.
“I don’t wish [what happened to my uncle] on anybody,” Fenski said.
After living in Canada and Germany, Fenski believes both countries are experiencing a homelessness crisis, but Canada’s harsh winter climate makes it extremely dangerous to live outdoors without shelter. His family connection, coupled with the visible housing crisis in Kingston, urged Fenski to take action.
Fenski documented his journey on his Instagram account. His biggest fan, his mom, followed him from Germany every step of the way.
“My mom was very scared at first [about the journey], but then she became very excited and asked me ‘when are you going to upload the next video?’ It was fun to see that,” Fenski said.
Fenski couldn’t have completed his ride without his friends’ support in both Germany and Kingston. When Fenski arrived in Washington D.C., exhausted, his friend greeted him with a sign, reminding him of why he began this journey in the first place.
“Mission accomplished: Race Against the Cold – 1000km from Kingston to Washington DC. Every mile brought more than just warm hearts,” the sign read.
Corrections
A previous version of this article spelled Raphael Fenski’s name incorrectly. Incorrect information was published in the Jan. 19 issue of The Queen’s Journal.
The Journal regrets the error
Tags
biking, Fundraiser, Homelessness, Student, Unhoused
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