Lake Co. YMCA prepares man for 9,000-mile bike ride

You could say Ken Schroeder has a passion for bicycle riding – some nights traveling 180 miles to avoid the “beasterly easterlies” and scorching sun across Australia.

Not even a partial knee replacement could keep the 54-year-old away from pedaling the entire coastline of Australia - twice, once in 1982 and more recently with son Sam, 21, a Green Beret in the Special Forces.

A substance abuse counselor, Schroeder has used the YMCA facilities in collaboration with the Lake County Health Department to get kids in great physical and mental shape. He raised $8,500 on his Australian trek for Boys to Men, a group that gives young men a sense of affirmation through positive role models.

Schroeder worked out six days a week at the YMCA - bicycling, squatting, stretching and doing upper-body strength training that helped prepare him for the ride that included pulling a trailer with food, water and a tent.

“The Y prepared me mentally and physically. I wouldn't have been able to do it without the Y. The people there are phenomenal. It was a social network for me, as well. Some of the members were putting up Facebook posts when I was traveling across Australia. The Y was my support group.”

We say the community is a better place with Schroeder as a role model for healthy living and giving back to the community.

The Lake County Family YMCA is a cause-driven nonprofit that strengthens the community through programs and services that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Founded in 1892 as a 501 (C) 3 nonprofit, our association is comprised of the Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills, Northern Lake YMCA in Waukegan and Early Head Start in Waukegan.