Cyclist riding from Santa Monica, CA to Austin, TX for LiveStrong Challenge

Yesterday I was forwarded the following press release for a cyclist that is riding from Santa Monica, California to Austin for the LiveStrong Challenge, and to raise awareness for cancer and cancer research:

THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN

Gerry Cody aka Codyman is setting out to make a statement and a serious contribution to the fight against Cancer.

On September 30, 2009, Gerry decided that he wanted to head to Austin Texas to ride in the Lance Armstrong Foundation's "Live Strong Challenge".

He then decided to take it to the next level and planned to ride his bike from the Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA. to the doorsteps of Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) Austin, TX. His vision is that he could have easily just driven or flown to Austin and done the ride, but felt this larger statement could have a more serious impact on raising funds to donate to the cause. In fact Gerry held a fundraising party in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, October 1st and had guests sign his newly customized black road bike with the names of loved ones and messages to cancer.

This 1,435 mile bike ride will lead through Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and end in Texas. The essence of the ride is to bring attention to the disease and ultimately raise funds to support The Lance Armstrong Foundation. Along the way it is planned to meet up with cancer survivors and the friends and family of those whom cancer has taken the lives of. In addition, the grand spirit and comradery of the cycling world will be on deck to support Gerry's ride.

The plan is to keep the travel expenses low, as to maximize the donation at the end of the road. There will be no frills on this journey. Gerry plans to campout and crash on couches the whole way.
Joining Gerry on his trek is childhood friend Dave Garcia of Kombine Media, Venice CA and younger brother Scott Cody. They will be in the support vehicle carrying the vitals such as food, water, tools and sleeping bags. Garcia will be documenting the trip in efforts to put together a documentary of the trip. Garcia carries a passion for the fight against cancer and dedicates his journey to his nephews Christopher and Nicholas Gleissner. Christopher died of a rare and aggressive childhood cancer in 1998 at the age of 11 and younger brother Nicholas a survivor was diagnosed with an inoperable stem tumor during 2006.

Cody will arrive in Austin, TX, Saturday, October 17, 2009.

To follow Codyman's efforts and to donate to the LAF go to www.bikeblood.com /twitter (codyman01)
For more information on LAF go to www.livestrong.org / www.livestrongchallenge.org / www.livestrongaction.org

For more information on the Gleissner's go to www.gleissnerfoundation-helpingkidswithcancer.org

There are plans to host a group ride to head out and meet Gerry on the way in. When I hear more about that I'll let y'all know. This is also the day of the Tour de Fat, so there's gonna be a lot going on.