Baldwin ? Pat McGovern isn’t much for shortcuts — whether it’s in his faith, with his convictions or on a bicycle.

“Most Catholic organizations look at the short-term solutions to a person’s problem,” said McGovern, taking a break in the early-afternoon heat at a church in Baldwin. “The Catholic Campaign for Human Development looks at the long-term solution.”

He isn’t kidding.

McGovern, 63, is one of 24 cyclists participating in a 3,880-mile ride from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. They arrived Thursday morning in Baldwin, resting for the day and preparing for today’s Independence Day jaunt to Blue Springs, Mo.

The campaign’s cross-country trek is intended to boost awareness of the 33 million U.S. residents living below the poverty line.

The poverty line for a family of four is $18,400 per year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Some of the riders brave the trip because of personal experience with poverty.

Others hope the trip will continue to open the eyes of parishes around the country to the problems of poverty.

Cyclists Chad Evans, San Francisco, Calif., left, and Mary Wright, Washington, D.C., right, visit with the Rev. Bill Fisher, after the bicyclists arrived at Annunciation Catholic Church in Baldwin, completing a 70-mile morning ride. A group of more than 20 cyclists are participating in a cross-country trip to increase awareness about poverty. The group stayed overnight in Baldwin and presented a program Thursday night at the church.

“We’ve come across lots of ordinary people who identify a problem in their community, figure out a solution, solve, and move on to finding another problem,” said Sarah Stolfa, of Philadelphia.

At each stop, riders spend the evening talking with members of dioceses about what they can do to fight poverty. They also ask people to sign a banner pledging support in the effort.

“We’ve met plenty of people who come not knowing much about the CCHD but go away with a renewed sense of energy and desire to do some good,” said Chad Evans of San Francisco.

The 24 riders already have used plenty of their own energy to arrive at Baldwin’s Annunciation Catholic Church, just past the halfway point of the 12-state trip.

After long rides up the Sierra Madre and Rocky mountains, they welcomed the opportunity to coast — even if only for a few dozen miles.

“It was sweet going downhill, but once it flattens out it gets a little more difficult,” Flores said. “Especially if there’s a headwind.”

But the goal is never far from the minds of the riders, who see plenty of road ahead — including stops in St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland and Baltimore — and a future of diminished poverty and renewed hope.

“I’m looking forward to returning to my parish and telling them what we saw and experienced,” Evans said, “but I probably won’t understand everything we’re doing and reaching for until we get to the end.”

¢ 6News video: “Break the Cycle” riders stop in Baldwin City¢Catholic Campaign for Human Development