Local Teen Bikes Across America for The First Tee
BRONX, N.Y. (July 9, 2008) - Brian Ash is bike riding across America in support of The First Tee in Fairfield County, Conn.
The 17-year old from Ridgefield, Conn., heard of The First Tee through a commercial on the Golf Channel and decided to raise money for it by having people sponsor his bike ride. Brian is biking the American Challenge, a 3,000 mile coast-to-coast adventure led by Overland, an accredited summer program for 11-18 year-olds to bike or hike through different regions of the world and have the experience of a lifetime.
Brian, who played high school golf, was inspired by his PGA golf pro Roger Knick. Knick had expressed his desire to start up The First Tee program in Danbury, Conn., and Brian is riding to help make that dream a reality. He has sent out 100 letters asking for sponsorships to friends and family.
He'll be riding with 11 other students in his age range (and 2 adult leaders) that he's never met before, but without a doubt will be close friends with after the six week journey. The Challenge begins on June 21, starting in Savannah, Georgia, and ends on August 3 in Los Angeles, California.
Brian's never been to California and is looking forward to his last leg of the Challenge, which goes through the San Bernardino Mountains and the Santa Monica Pier. He's also excited to spend a night sleeping on top of the Grand Canyon.
In preparation for this adventure that requires him to bike 80+ miles a day, Brian has been taking spin classes and following the pre-training exercise schedule Overland requires:
(1) two rides a week of one hour each in March;
(2) two rides a week of 90 minutes each in April;
(3) two rides a week of two hours each in May;
(4) two rides a week of four hours each fully-loaded with all gear in June.
All training rides that are unloaded (i.e., without panniers, sleeping bag, etc.) must be at an average speed of 12 miles per hour (or greater); all loaded training rides must be at an average speed of 10 miles per hour (or greater).
Brian will be keeping in contact with us by sending digital camera memory cards and letters through the mail at the five post offices stops they're scheduled to make. Visit the website to see what Brian is up to on his journey.
