38,000 Miles Ago, He Almost Quit. Now He’s Riding Across America.
After a devastating crash nearly ended Tom Schwein’s cycling ministry, he felt God calling him to keep going. Now Samaritan Cycling USA is embarking on a 3,000-mile ride to bring hope and help to people experiencing homelessness across the country.
Tom Schwein was mere feet from the finish line of Ride the Rockies in 2015 when everything changed for him.
Earlier that day, he was told that Samaritan Cycling USA, a ministry he helped start in 2011 to support Catholic Charities’ Samaritan House, had raised a cumulative $250,000 in just over four years. He was rightfully excited. He couldn’t wait to high-five an injured teammate at the finish line.
Then came a dip in the pavement.
“The wheel went 90 degrees, and I went face-first into the pavement,” he recalled. “I was out cold. I don’t know for how long.”
When he woke up, saved, he believes, by his helmet and divine providence, he remembers, clear as day, hearing the Holy Spirit tell him, “Peace be with you. You will recover.”
He was rushed to the hospital. Two days later, after specialists reviewed the tests, he was told he was a walking miracle.
“You’re a very lucky man,” Schwein remembers one specialist telling him, shaking his head, incredulous. “You missed a brain bleed by a quarter of a millimeter.”
That’s roughly the size of a fine grain of table salt. To say it was a close call might be underselling things.
“I was never going to ride a bike again. I was done,” Schwein said. “We raised a quarter million, and that’s it. There’s no way I’m riding again.”
He prepared to sell his bikes and move on. But the Holy Spirit had other ideas, Schwein said.
“I’m not yet done with you here on earth. Continue your ministry,” he recalled hearing.
He prayed about it. He called his wife. He took a long bike ride, and hasn’t stopped riding since.
“I said, ‘God, I’m all in,’” he said. “That was 38,000 miles ago and a few million dollars ago.”
Since then, Samaritan House Cycling has grown considerably, welcoming new teammates and raising more than $2.2 million for Northern Colorado’s Samaritan House shelters.
This fall, the ministry is taking that mission farther than ever before: a 45-day, nearly 3,000-mile ride across the United States.
“God has called me to do this, which is why we’re riding across America,” Schwein said, choked up with emotion. “We’re raising national awareness for the crisis of homelessness. God said, ‘Go big or go home.’ We’re going big.”
The 12-member team begins their ride on Sunday, October 4, two days after arriving in San Diego, California. Their 45-day trek will take them through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, where they will finish the ride in St. Augustine, Florida, where the first Catholic Mass of Thanksgiving in what is now the United States was celebrated in 1565.
The mission? Raising awareness and funds to provide shelter, stability and hope to the homeless in Denver, in Colorado and across the country.
“There are nearly one million people who are homeless every night in the United States, and no one pays attention to them. People walk by them,” Schwein said. “So we’re raising awareness to increase the attention of the United States to this national crisis. We have to do something about it, more than just raising money. It’s about raising awareness so people understand what to do when they get to the corner of an intersection and they see a homeless person.”
And it’s already bearing fruit. Feet haven’t hit pedals yet, and the team has already raised $350,000 to support Catholic Charities’ five Samaritan House locations in Denver, Fort Collins and Greeley, which provide emergency shelter, support services and pathways toward stability for individuals and families.
Additionally, the Samaritan Cycling team is partnering with local Catholic Charities along their route to fundraise for ministries serving the homeless nationwide. As they ride across America, the team will also volunteer at Catholic Charities locations, helping shine a spotlight on local efforts to lovingly serve neighbors nationwide.
The timing is all the more meaningful: the ride comes as the United States marks 250 years, Catholic Charities of Denver approaches its 100th anniversary, Samaritan House in downtown Denver celebrates 40 years, and Samaritan Cycling USA marks 15 years.
“What began in 2011 as a small step of faith through Samaritan Cycling has become a lifelong commitment to serve,” Schwein said. “Through cycling, we put faith into action — transforming physical endurance into meaningful impact and heartfelt passion into real provision. We ride because we are called to be bearers of hope, and every mile is a testament to that calling.”
First and foremost, Schwein said, the team needs prayer. Knowing firsthand just how dangerous a ride like this can be, Schwein specifically asked people of goodwill nationwide to pray for riders’ safety and perseverance.
Then, those who feel called to give can donate per mile, with options beginning at 1 cent per mile, or offer a one-time gift. Supporters can give to a particular rider or to the general fund.
For Schwein, though, the most meaningful gift came from a father and his 12-year-old son.
After hearing Schwein speak about the effort after Mass at a local parish, the father approached him and pulled out his wallet, saying he wished he could make a donation but did not think he had anything to give. Surprised to find two dollars, he handed them to his son, who gave them to Schwein.
“This is for you, sir,” the boy said. “Good luck on your ride!”
“We had been getting lots of donations, but the most meaningful one was this man,” Schwein said, pointing to the widow in the Gospels who gave all she had.
For more information about Samaritan Cycling USA’s Ride Across America and to make a donation, visit teamsamaritan.org/samaritan-cycling-usa.
