It will be no easy task, but sisters Erin and Bethany Wilson will be biking across the county this summer to raise money for cancer research.
The Wilsons are planning to do the 4,300 mile ride from early June through late August -- starting in San Francisco and ending Miami -- to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.
They are making the trek in honor of their grandfather, who died a few years ago from complications related to prostate cancer.
"My grandfather was a big advocate of cancer organizations, and he would tell us at Christmas, instead of gifts, to donate money to St. Jude's or other cancer groups" said Erin Wilson, a former resident of Richland Township who now lives in Miami. "We will ride in his memory."
She said the idea started when she and her sister were making plans to backpack across Europe after Bethany's college graduation.
"She (Bethany) transferred to another college and that pushed back her graduation and the trip, so we had to plan something else because we had the time off," Wilson said.
"The idea came to us to do the bike ride and it sounded like a good idea."
So "Cross Country for a Cure" was born and the pair got to work in contacting the American Cancer Society and establishing a Web site through the society detailing their cause and where people can donate.
Then the sisters got in touch with a national cycling organization that mapped out the best roads to take.
"We pieced together some of the smaller course and trails to make one long course for our ride," Wilson said.
The Wilson's plan to blog about their experiences and should update their site at least once a week.
Wilson added that she has been preparing for the ride by taking spinning classes and knows she and her sister, who is a junior at Pitt-Johnstown, will complete their journey.
"The longest I've ever biked was 24 miles at one time, and we'll have to do 60 miles a days to finish on time, so it'll be interesting," she said.
The goal is to raise $5,000.
So far the women have collected $1,700 and will accept donations throughout their ride.
"We are nervous and some people think we are a bit crazy, but I'm always up for a challenge and my sister is the toughest girl I know, so we'll be fine," Wilson said. To see more of The Tribune-Democrat or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.tribune-democrat.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Copyright (C) 2009, Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.