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The Battalion
Page 3 • Friday, April 2, 2004
ali to D.C. on two wheels
By Sarah Szuminski
THE BATTALION
sd domi
_M°st people wouldn’t want to drive 4,000 miles across the
luntry cramped in a car, let alone attempt to pedal their way from
ted of
least to coast on a bicycle. But for people such as John
ierrington, a senior management information systems major, bik
ing the distance from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., is a way
celebrate mobility and raise funds and awareness for people
th disabilities.
Every summer, members of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity make the
o-month-long journey, averaging about 75 miles each day.
“Sure, 75 miles is a long way to ride each day, but you’d be sur-
sed how fast you can ride on a road bike without even trying,”
.umber!
eetingi
es.
where!
nber
ess.
trrington said.
After seeing the Journey of
pshington, D.C., two years ago,
spired to participate.
“It was an incredibly moving
Iperience,” he said. “1 knew from
It day on that I wanted to do this.”
(Along the way, teams will visit
jjth local groups that serve people
disabilities, playing wheelchair
jisketball and performing puppet
lows on awareness, Herrington said.
I addition, the 70 cyclists who are
ticipating this year are raising a
|inimum of $5,000 each that will go
ivard projects and services for peo-
lewith disabilities.
J'At first, the fund-raising goal
lemed a little overwhelming, but
[soon as my letters were sent out
egan to receive checks made out
itPush America daily,” Herrington
Hope teams cycle
Herrington said he
into
was
I like biking
better because
you can stay on a
bike a whole lot
longer. Tm in a
lot better shape
than when I used
to run.
— Steve Bolline
cyclist and graduate student
Fund raising is only the begin-
:rs were
Ingof his challenges. The daily schedule for the Journey of Hope
hrtswith a quick breakfast at 5 a.m. before the teams hit the road,
neschedule includes 100-mile century rides one day each week -
[distance many cyclists train and prepare to complete just once.
.Herrington said he is optimistic about the challenge and work-
ig for its cause.
“Push America is an integral part of what being a brother in Pi
uifftMappa Phi means,” Herrington said. “It is about serving Others
id giving your time and energy to a cause that is greater than
ourself.”
Giving to a cause through biking is not solely a Pi Kapp phe
nomenon, though; people across the country pedal their way various
distances to raise funds and awareness for a wide range of charities.
Steve Bolline, a graduate student studying construction manage
ment, will make the 180-mile trek from Houston to Austin in April
to benefit research on multiple sclerosis.
The ride, the MS 150, takes two days of riding 100 and 80 miles
each with a campout overnight in La Grange, Texas. Bolline said he
got into biking for exercise after running became too stressful on
his body.
“I like biking better because you can stay on a bike a whole
lot longer,” he said. “I’m in a lot better shape than when I used
to run.”
To train for the ride, Bolline cycles several times a week.
About three days each week, he rides with the A&M cycling team
anywhere between 35 and 60 miles, and he completes longer
training rides of 70 to 100 miles alone, sometimes riding for up
to six hours. He hopes to maintain a pace of 22 mph during the
MS 150.
“I’m taking it pretty seriously,” Bolline said. “I don’t want
to just finish it; I’m out there to ride it hard and finish well.”
Aggieland Cycling Owner Rod Wagner said students’
involvement with programs such as these not only benefits
the charity but also promotes bicycle awareness in the com
munity.
“(They’re) bringing cycling to the forefront,” Wagner
said. “It’s good for cycling in general.”
This awareness makes it safer for bike riders across
town, he said, whether they are serious cyclists or just
someone who likes to ride his bike around the neigh
borhood. This is important in College Station, he said,
where many students use bikes for recreation and to
commute to campus.
Wagner has opened his store and advice to Herrington
and his challenge, providing him with a reasonably-priced
bike along with support and maintenance.
“I appreciate what he’s doing and how hard the task in
front of him will be,” Wagner said. “I think he’ll do fine.”
As the event draws near, Herrington said he will
increase his riding to 50 miles each day to prepare for the
rigors of the trip. Most people don’t even drive that dis
tance in a day, but Herrington’s attitude is undaunted.
“I'm looking forward to losing some extra pounds,
getting a wicked fanner’s tan and spreading hope across
the country,” Herrington said. “It will be a summer I’ll
never forget.”
More infonnation on Push America can be found at
www.pushamerica.com, and donation inquiries can be sent
to John@sweepaway.com. Those interested in finding out
more about the MS 150 can log on to www.msl50.org.
Rylie Deyoe • THE BATTALION
imsonsi
Julia Stil©s
This fairy tale
is about to get real