Bike trip to raise money for lung cancer

Riders will travel total of 3,250 miles this summer

Have you ever dreamed of dropping everything in your life, hopping on a bike and pedaling past some of America's most beautiful landscape?

This summer, more than 500 people will embark on the adventure of a lifetime as they pedal across 13 states during the American Lung Association's "Big Ride Across America."

Starting June 14 in Seattle, Wash. and ending July 31 in Washington, D.C., the riders will travel a total of 3,250 miles, averaging 81 miles per day.

Setting up a mobile city at night, riders will be treated with massage therapists, hot showers and catered meals while receiving eight days off during the six-and-a-half week trip.

Including riders of all experience levels, successful completion of this summer's ride involves more will power than years of biking experience, said Elisa Rozier, a University graduate and current fellow at the National Institute of Health, who will be taking part in this summer's ride.

Introduced to the ride by a friend who completed the trip last year, Rozier said she has always been interested in taking a cross-country trip, either on foot or by bike, and is excited by the cross-country aspect of the ride.

While six and a half weeks is a large time commitment, Rozier said the National Institute of Health was willing to give her the time off for the ride, but it's going to be hard finding the time to train beforehand and raise donations for the trip.

All riders are expected to raise $7,000 for the state American Lung Association chapter of their choice, and Rosier said she is still working on raising the funds.

Providing more than a chance to see the American landscape, the purpose of the ride is "to promote the efforts of the American Lung Association and raise money for lung cancer," said Michelle Wegienek, special projects manager for the American Lung Association of Michigan.

In its second year under the title of "Big Ride of Across America," five riders from Michigan are expected to take part in this year's trip after 20 people from Michigan completed the ride last year.

Event organizers are still looking for volunteers, and riders can still sign up until May 14.

"However, we encourage riders to sign up ASAP, because raising $7,000 is a difficult thing to accomplish in a short period of time," Wegienek said.

More information about the ride can be found at http://www.bigride.com.

02-26-99