In 2007, Rudy van Prooyen joined 20 runners from around the world to deliver a message about the importance of safe drinking water, launching Blue Planet Network with the first ever around-the-world relay, Blue Planet Run. Since then, Rudy has remained committed to the cause, taking his message on the road each summer on self supported cross country bicycle trips to drum up awareness and funding for safe drinking water projects.
"I was fortunate to be selected as one of those runners and reflecting now on this epic ninety-five day event on the run for safe drinking water," says Rudy, "I can only feel fortunate and blessed to have been part of such an important initiative."
Rudy's epic Blue Planet Ride 2013 consists of two parts - USA and Europe. The "Jazz Country and Rock Tour" is a self supported solo bike ride passing through Memphis, New Orleans and Nashville, via parts of America’s historic byways, established cycling routes and other passages of interests. The ride will take forty days, and is 3,000 miles long. The Baltic Sea Tour is a self supported adventure solo bike ride via parts of Europe’s historic cities and landmarks, unconventional cycling routes and other passages of interests. The ride will take 60 days, and is 4,000 miles long.
The inaugural ride in 2009 took Rudy across the USA, testing his limits with something he had never done before. In 2010, he circumnavigated Europe, riding 4,500 miles, twice the distance of the Tour de France, in foreign territory, through fifteen different countries with various languages, cultures and customs. In 2011, he had an amazing trip traveling a Grand Circle Tour around the USA from the Midwest to the West Coast and back. On May 6th 2012, Rudy kicked off his fourth Blue Planet Ride 2012 from his home town in Michigan. He appropriately named it the Three Coasts Tour as it pedal-powered along parts of the Great Lakes, the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Coast. It covered almost 8,000 miles over a period of 110 days.
Rudy leads a group of students in Terneuzen, Netherlands on a portion of the Blue Planet Run 2007.
Rudy is excited to take on the challenges of this adventure ride and in the process draw attention to a worldwide humanitarian crisis that could easily be solved in our lifetime. You can follow his solo Trans-Am trek on the Facebook Page Blue Planet Ride. He has a fundraising goal of $10,000 to benefit network water projects around the world. To be a messenger and help grow awareness for this cause you can share and "Like" his Facebook posts with friends and family, and make a donation if you can!
Please help support Rudy's 2013 Blue Planet Ride! All donations will go directly to Blue Planet Network safe drinking water projects around the world. Please follow Rudy on Facebook and track the Journey on his Blog to keep informed of training, running plans, and progress fund raising. Invite Rudy to give a presentation, share a meal or tall glass of water, meet and greet.
Contact Rudy at rudy@blueplanetrun.org or 248.755.5424.
Please contribute to the Rudy Van Prooyen water fund, which will be managed by Blue Planet Network.
