Cyclist to share positive message
at library, UMPI
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — David Sylvester, cyclist, award-winning filmmaker and best-selling author will visit Presque Isle next week as the first guest speaker in the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s 2016-2017 Distinguished Lecturer Series. Prior to his UMPI appearance, he will address citizens of Presque Isle.
Sylvester will speak Monday, Sept. 12, at the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. He will greet the public, talk about his best-selling book “Traveling at the Speed of Life,” share a slide show of his world travels and help spread his positive message.
The next day, Tuesday, Sept. 13, he will speak at 7 p.m. at UMPI’s Campus Center.
Both events are free and open to the public.
Sylvester has adopted a mission to enhance the world one hug, high five and interaction at a time. He began his journey after the loss of his lifelong friend, Kevin Bowser, in the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Since 2002, Sylvester has biked across North America, Asia, Africa, and Australia spreading his message of positivity. He has gone on six major bicycle rides across continents and countries around the world. As he ventured forth on these bicycle rides, he did charitable work in the cities he visited.
When Sylvester read about Presque Isle being named “the epicenter of anxiety” in a New York Times article by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, he reached out to City Manager Martin Puckett.
Sylvester truly believes he can change the world one hub or high five at a time. Known as “Big Dave” to his friends, he has discovered through his global travels and challenges that “within each embrace lies a nourishing kernel of happiness, will, warmth, understanding and wisdom.”
When planning on biking across South America, Sylvester’s direction changed when he was in a car accident, hit by a driver who was under the influence of alcohol, antidepressants and marijuana. A two-inch knob from the car got lodged into his knee in the crash, and he was told he would never be able to run again. He defied all the odds to continue his pursuit of helping others by spreading positivity and raising money for different charities.
Sylvester was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa., and attended Temple University. He has two children.
