Back Linda's 1600-Mile Bicycle Ride and help her get to NYC!

Meet Linda! She's embarking on an extraordinary journey — the Ride 4 Equity, kicking off from Tulsa, Oklahoma's Black Wall Street to New York City's Wall Street.

Her fundraising goal is $10,000, which is to cover her essential expenses, including lodging, meals, maintenance supplies and the transport of Linda and her bike back to Oklahoma at the end of this epic journey and to donate toward Major Taylor Cycling Club of Oklahoma youth initiative.

This ride holds immense significance as it commemorates the resilience of Black communities, honors history, and will bring awareness to a three great organizations -- Major Taylor Cycling Club of Oklahoma, Community Light Foundation, and Black Leaders of Detroit, whose underlying missions is to strengthen our diverse communities.

On May 31, 2025, Linda K. Jackson, Vice President of the Major Taylor Cycling Club of Oklahoma, will embark on a remarkable 1,650-mile bike ride from Tulsa’s historic Black Wall Street to New York City’s Wall Street. Her journey, which will span approximately 33 days at a pace of 60 miles per day, is more than a physical challenge—it’s a mission rooted in purpose, community, and healing.

This ride serves a dual purpose for Linda: to spotlight mental health—especially among youth and women veterans—and to raise funds for the Major Taylor Cycling Club of Oklahoma’s youth initiative. The club’s mission is to identify new or beginner riders and introduce them to the world of cycling in a supportive and inclusive environment. “Cycling is therapy for me,” Linda shares. “It’s helped my mental well-being in ways I never expected.”

A Marine Corps veteran and former avid runner, Linda discovered cycling as a joint-friendly alternative after years of running. It all started with a five-mile ride during Oklahoma City’s Eastside Bike Ride, hosted by the Major Taylor Cycling Club OKC Chapter. Nervous but determined, she set three goals: show up, finish, and have fun. That experience and the supportive community she found changed her life — and set her on a path that now leads to New York City.

Linda’s ride is personal. She reflects on how adults often dismiss children’s pain by saying, “They’re resilient.” But as someone who has lived through trauma, Linda counters, “No, they aren’t resilient. They just grow up to be mentally and emotionally messed-up adults still trying to figure things out." Getting our youth outside on bikes, “It’s not just about fitness,” she says. “It’s about mental clarity, stress relief, and finding a supportive community that lifts you up. Something young and old can benefit from.”

Her advocacy extends beyond cycling; Linda is also passionate about encouraging fellow women veterans across Oklahoma to consider cycling. As a mentor with the Oklahoma Department of Women Veteran Services, she knows how critical support systems are during major life transitions.

You can help Linda get to New York by donating to support her journey and the youth cycling initiative. Donations will help cover travel expenses, logistics, and contribute toward the purchase of road bikes and gear for local youth. Every dollar makes a difference.

By riding from Greenwood to Wall Street, Linda isn’t just covering miles—she’s bridging communities, raising awareness, and inspiring a generation of cyclists to believe in their strength, one pedal stroke at a time.

As mentioned, Linda is a proud member of the Major Taylor Cycling Club of Oklahoma. MTCCOK is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to promoting health and wellness, by identifying and developing new riders to the sport of cycling and the rich legacy of Marshall "Major" Taylor, the first Black world cycling champion. Our club empowers riders of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, encouraging diversity in the cycling community while fostering camaraderie and personal achievement. – www.majortaylorccok.org.

Today, the Major Taylor Cycling Club of Oklahoma has active chapters in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Lawton. Each hosts annual rides such as Tulsa’s “Tulsa Flats,” OKC’s “Eastside Bike Ride,” and Lawton’s “Spirit of Survival Ride.” The club also offers weekly rides and mentorship for beginner cyclists. Looking forward, one of its goals is to launch a youth road cycling program that provides quality road bikes, helmets, and education on safety, shifting gears, and technique.

The Community Light Foundation is dedicated in helping eradicate food insecurity in the Tulsa community. CLF raises funds by hosting cycling events, such as Black Wall Street Ride to Remember. The proceeds from the cycling registrations are then donated to local food banks/pantries to help these organizations serve its community -www.thecommunitylight.org.

You can learn more about Black Leaders Detroit and their Ride 4 Equity by visiting https://www.blackleadersdetroit.org/.