Greencastle on cycling route across country

Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Matthew Eisenberg early in his cross-country journey.

Matthew Eisenberg, a New York native has set a goal to raise $5,000 by riding his bicycle from Telluride, Colo. to Larchmont, N.Y. for the Lance Armstrong Foundation which supports cancer research and survivorship programs. He will be riding through Greencastle on Aug. 21.

The 27 year-old is making the 2,300 mile trip in about a month. His plan has been to ride 80 miles or more a day and he has been successful so far.

"I first got the idea a year ago," he said. "And this past winter really started thinking about it seriously."

So serious, in fact, that he contacted the Lance Armstrong Foundation and set up a grassroots website. All the money he raised -- about $2,384 so far -- will be given to the foundation for cancer research.

He chose the Lance Armstrong Foundation for its ties to cycling and because he lost his grandparents to the disease.

"As I was learning to ride, I spent more and more time in the saddle. I just loved it and took to it. Every mile I rode I wanted to ride more."

Eisenberg says he prepared for the challenge by riding every day since the snow melted and mixing in running and lifting weights. He is riding a lightweight carbon bike but is pulling a trailer with camping gear and enough pasta to last most of his trip. The total -- weight is about 80 pounds.

He left Telluride for Fort Collins on Aug. 1. There he met a friend who is riding with him through Lincoln, Neb. to Iowa and on to Illinois. He will pass through Greencastle on his way Cincinnati and then head north to New York.

Anyone who would like to donate to his grassroots campaign to raise money can do so by going to Eisenberg's website at www.ridetothecoast.blogspot.com or e-mail at matteisenberg@gmail.com.

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