Film about cross-country bike trip supports homeless shelters

Curtis Blankinship: Just like a lot of Americans, Daniel Troia had been feeling all of the tension in the country which made him question just how connected we really are anymore. Determined to find out if we truly are as divided as it seems, he decides to set off on a cross-country bicycle journey with no food, no money, and the hope of gaining a better understanding of the human connection.

[00:00:23] Equipped with hidden camera glasses, and a sign that says ‘Ran out of food, anything helps,’ Daniel listens to stories from the people that lend a helping hand and learns that those who face the most adversity in their lives often have the most to give.

[00:00:39] Over the course of seven months, Daniel encounters many different experiences like trying to outrun a tornado in Kansas, running out of water in the desert, nearly avoiding hypothermia in Montana and crossing the Sierras, Rockies, and Appalachian mountain ranges.

[00:00:54] However, the most impactful moments from the journey come from the interactions that he has with the diverse group of people he meets along the way. After covering more than 7,000 miles and passing through 23 states, the people he meets show that there is much more that brings us together than what separates us.

[00:01:13] So far, the film We’re All In This Together has raised $25,000 for different homeless shelters by hosting live screenings of the movie. In the spring of 2025, there will be live screenings of the movie in different cities across America. Half of the ticket sales will be donated to the local homeless shelters in the town that the movie is playing in.

[00:01:34] Eugene PeaceWorks had David Zupan interview an audience member who had a similar experience.

[00:01:43] Cross-country cyclist: Yeah, this film was really interesting because I have taken a long-distance bike tour as well and I went from San Diego to New Orleans and it took me 50 days and I think it was about 1500 miles. And it was a solo tour from San Diego to New Orleans and it followed the southern tier which is a route that goes close to the border of Mexico.

[00:02:14] I had amazingly great experiences and I would say there was basically a miracle that happened every day, But there were some other experiences that were a little sketchy, you know, that I thought could possibly be scary. When you push through that, then it turned out to be an amazing experience after all.

[00:02:39] And one place that I stayed through this group called Warm Showers, which I’ll tell you about in a little bit. I stayed with someone this through this organization, and it was, it was a pretty rough time, and because the person was quite a hoarder and, and was into graphic journals and had there were piles and piles of graphic journals everywhere. And it wasn’t that that he was very scary, but the place was pretty rundown and it was in the middle of nowhere and he was just an interesting odd fellow, so that was a bit scary.

[00:03:26] And I thought for a second about writing an article, a review of the place so that other people who might read it might decide not to go there. But then I started thinking that, well, I survived this, and I’ve learned something which is, you know, how people that are different from me live. And so that was really important and it gave me something really worthwhile. And so it made me not want to write that review. It made me want other people to experience as well and I think enjoy it in the end, so…

[00:04:04] David Zupan (Encircle Films): And you mentioned that you, the reason for taking this tour is you were trying to understand, can you comment about that?

[00:04:13] Cross-country cyclist: Oh yeah, I mean, it was the same kind of story that he had, which was that it was 2018 and it was two years after Trump had become president. And so I was so upset with all that was happening and it kept going and so I wanted to know what this country was made of that made people vote in that way and so I wanted to see answer that question.

[00:04:43] And it didn’t—it wasn’t that question in the end that my story turned out to be, but that was what set me off on my my journey.

[00:04:52] David Zupan (Encircle Films): And what did you experience with regard to the people you met?

[00:04:57] Cross-country cyclist: Oh, everyone was amazingly kind. It was just the kindness of people and that no matter what their politics may or may not have been, the people themselves are, I think that people are basically very kind and good.

[00:05:20] David Zupan (Encircle Films): So would you say that was one of the insights that you got from your travel?

[00:05:27] Cross-country cyclist: Oh yes, absolutely. Because just time after time, so many amazing things happened.

[00:05:33] David Zupan (Encircle Films): And then you’ve carried it forward for yourself now?

[00:05:36] Cross-country cyclist: Ah, yeah. Well, and before and after the trip, I’ve also participated in this organization Warm Showers and what they, it’s a website that puts together people who are bike touring with people who are willing to to host. And so for me, that kind of keeps the buzz going and the feeling of touring and remembering and talking just remembering and talking about stories.

[00:06:02] David Zupan (Encircle Films): And you’ve you’ve had a quite a diverse group of people that you’ve—

Cross-country cyclist: Yes, yes, amazing people. So the people themselves that have have stayed at my house have been extraordinary, you know. There is one guy that that came here to pick up his bike Friday and then he was riding to Patagonia.

[00:06:26] And then just recently I had a young guy from France who was living in Quebec and came to Eugene and then from Eugene he was writing down to Brazil and he stayed with me a night or two or so and he was an extraordinary chef so we stayed up till wee hours of the night cooking amazing stuff. And so that often happens actually, is good food is involved with them.

[00:06:56] David Zupan (Encircle Films): And that’s Warm Showers—

Cross-country cyclist: WarmShowers.org, yes.

[00:07:03] David Zupan (Encircle Films): Well, thank you so much, it’s really special to have someone who’s actually had similar experiences to what was in the film.

[00:07:13] Cross-country cyclist: Yes, yes. Yeah, it was a great film, so thank you for posting it.

[00:07:17] David Zupan (Encircle Films): Thank you.

[00:07:19] Curtis Blankinship: Encircle Films screens films that inform and inspire at the Eugene Art House Theater. Go to encirclefilms.org for more information. For KEPW News, I’m Curtis Blankinship.

Encircle Films screened We’re All In This Together Dec. 19, 2024.