Cyclist raising money for Catholic Charities

Don Berens of Latham just left town -- not forever, but for 48 days.

Earlier this week, the retired New York State attorney flew to Los Angeles to connect with 46 other bicyclists in preparation for a cross-country cycling tour. On May 11, they will all dip the rear wheels of their cross-country bikes into the Pacific Ocean in a symbolic start that will officially begin a trek across the U.S. 

The group will cycle through 15 states, reaching Boston on June 27, where they will end the trip by dipping the front wheels of their bikes into the Atlantic Ocean.

When he is finished, Mr. Berens will have biked over 3000 miles, covering an average of 79 miles per day. Even though the trip will be strenuous for the 59-year old parishioner of St. Pius X in Loudonville, he said he is excited and prepared.

"I'm really looking forward to this challenge," he remarked.

Seeking sponsors

The trip will be a challenge for another reason: It's a fundraiser for diocesan Catholic Charities' Emergency Assistance Program, which aids individuals and families in crises or natural disasters.

"I thought this ride would be a good way to raise some money for a good cause," Mr. Berens said.

Like bicyclists on a trek, he noted, families can be caught unaware when a crisis comes: "No matter how fit or well-prepared we are for a biking trip, we sometimes have emergencies on the road -- lack of water in the desert, a flat tire after you've used all the spare tubes you've brought. If you've biked long enough, you can easily recall a time when a 'Good Samaritan' has bailed you out of a jam. I wanted to raise money for others that need that helping hand."

Catholic Charities has set up a weblog, http://ccrcda.typepad.com, to keep track of the trip. Mr. Berens will post email updates as he pedals across the U.S.

The blog also has a link for donations to the Emergency Assistance program; the goal is to raise $100 for every mile Mr. Berens bikes.

"This is the perfect opportunity for Catholic Charities to raise some money to help those needing emergency assistance," said Sister Maureen Joyce, RSM, chief executive officer of Catholic Charities of the Albany Diocese. "We don't have a budget for aid in such emergencies; we rely on allocations from the annual Bishop's Appeal and individual donations."

Although this is the first time that Mr. Berens has taken such a lengthy bicycling trip, he's been a mountain climber for more than 20 years. To prepare for this trek, he also biked 101 miles to Williamstown, Mass.

"I figure I will have a few days that will be longer than that and one or two that will be as steep a ride as that, but I won't have any that will be as long or as steep together," he noted. "I think I'm physically ready for the trip; I guess we'll find out!"

(The cyclists will be followed by a van from Crossroads Cycling Adventures of Connecticut, carrying their personal gear, repair equipment, emergency care items and refreshments. Each night, the riders will stay in reserved hotel rooms.
"We were told to bring only the basics. Each biker is limited to a maximum of 30 pounds of gear," Mr. Berens said. "We were told to make every ounce count; I did.")

(05/08/08) [[In-content Ad]]