By. V. Hugh Lewis II, publisher
Local Pastor and Jefferson Christian Academy leader Alden Ho has taken local fundraising to a whole new level. He’s riding his recumbent bicycle from San Diego, California, to Jacksonville, Florida. All to raise money for the Jefferson Christian Academy.
Alden set a goal to raise $25,000 on the trip. So far, he’s raised $3,788.
Alden is keeping a daily journal online and his progress can be followed there as well as photos and his thoughts along the route.
Prior to departing, Alden posted about the trip and why he isn’t postponing it amid the COVID-19 crisis.
“I’ve have been planning on this for many months now, and when the Coronavirus hit the end of January, the beginning of March we saw pandemonia hit the all the US riders and they abandon the saddle,” he wrote. “Social media is screaming, “go home,” “stop spreading the virus.” But, is a rider truly infecting others peddling down the road?”
Alden also wrote how postponing the Southern Tier isn’t practical right now. “Okay, so I’m thinking, should I ride? Should I wait? I’ve put in so much time and research already. Not to mention that you just can’t postpone riding the Southern Tier for a couple month. The heat during the summer month will kill you! I mean riding a bike, camping, and cooking on your own is social distancing itself, not in feet, but possibly in miles.”
Today is Day 4 of the trip and he left Yuma, Arizona. He’s averaging 50-70 miles a day. As a Seventh Day Adventist, he’s also observing the Sabbath, and spent Saturday with a family and fellow pastor.
He set out on April 1, and isn’t expected to complete the ride until May 17.
You can follow Alden’s trip via his online blog: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/Preacher
you can also support his ride and the school by donating from the above link. A guestbook is available to provide comments and encouragement.
A slideshow of his trip is available at: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/slideshow/?doc_id=22918&page=18