Riding for all the right reasons
Though Barrington's Bob Lee has finished pedaling across the country, his journey continues.
After spending nearly six months riding his bicycle 6,500 miles to raise money for the American Cancer Society, the National Hospice Foundation and the Les Turner ALS Foundation, Lee said his voyage still is in progress.
"The odometer has stopped, but the fight to find a cure for ALS is still ongoing," Lee said.
For the second time in six years, Lee hopped on his bike this spring for not-your-average ride.
Lee, a colon cancer survivor and retired executive who turned 65 during the trek, began with the goal of raising $500,000 for the three charities.
His expedition took him up the East Coast and then across the northern United States.
Along the way, he met amazing people and took in breathtaking sights.
"We need to sometimes do a little solo journey and give ourselves some time to reflect on the opportunities we have had," he said.
Lee will share tales and photos from his trip during a presentation set for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Barrington Area Library.
The ride
The first leg of Lee's trip started in March in Jacksonville, Fla., and ended in May in Bar Harbor, Maine.
"Going up the East Coast was even more beautiful than I expected," Lee said.
He then spent Memorial Day weekend at home before flying to Washington state to begin biking again.
But the second leg of his trip was interrupted in Prairie du Chien, Wis., by pain in his legs that forced him, after 4,500 miles, to take a week off and return home.
He was determined to ride on, though, beginning where he left off and making his way back to Bar Harbor on Sept. 7.
Along the way, he rode mostly by himself and stayed in motels along the route, though occasionally an admirer would put him up for the night.
Despite his struggles, Lee said the trip "was one of the better things I have ever done."
This isn't the first time Lee has raised money like this.
In 2001, inspired by the book "Tuesdays with Morrie" about living with ALS, Lee raised $86,000 after going on a 3,200-mile ride across the country.
The people
Besides being able to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity, Lee said the highlight of the ride was getting to meet people along the way.
Lee said he's been amazed at the kindness and hospitality he has encountered.
"People would stop on the road, roll down their windows and hand me money for the fundraiser," Lee said.
By meeting so many people and sharing his stories in so many different towns, Lee said it has been clear the ride made a difference.
"When I tell people what I am riding for, the impact that those reasons have had on people -- especially cancer -- I can hardly talk to an individual that has not been impacted by cancer in some way," Lee said.
Though the ride has ended, Lee said he still is trying to reach his goal of raising $500,000. So far, he's at $325,000.
"It has been a very rewarding experience for people to jump in and share the riding experience through their contributions," Lee said.
He has a series of talks planned, not only to talk about his trip and raise more money for charity but to show people the beauty of the country.
• Daily Herald staff writer Kiran Sood contributed to this report.
If you go
• What: Bob Lee of Barrington will share stories and photos from his bicycle trip across the country to raise money for charity
• When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
• Where: Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Hwy.
• More information: Check out Lee's blog and Web site at 3reasons.org
• How to help: Donations can be mailed to A Ride for Three Reasons, Barrington Area Development Council, P.O. Box 365, Barrington, IL 60010
By the numbers
A look at Bob Lee's bicycle trip across the country
• 6,500: approximate number of miles he rode
• 130: length of the trip in days
• 54: Average daily miles
• 325,000: Dollars raised for charity so far