Cyclists riding through six bay watershed states
By Jessica Anderson, The Baltimore Sun
A pair of Chesapeake Bay Foundation employees left Annapolis Saturday morning on a 1,300-mile journey through the six states in the bay's watershed — by bicycle.
John Rodenhausen and Beth McGee will attempt to ride through the 64,000-square-mile watershed, which stretches to Cooperstown, N.Y., and as far west as the Shenandoah Valley, to raise money for the Bay Foundation. They will spend their first night in southern Pennsylvania, pedal to New York and circle back through western Pennsylvania, then to Virginia and return via the Eastern Shore over the next three weeks.
They say their mission is to illustrate the vast area that makes up the watershed and how it can affect the bay's health.
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The pair hope the bike tour will raise $10,000 for the Bay Foundation and $5,000 each for causes close to them. McGee is raising money for the American Diabetes Association after her sister was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes. Rodenhausen's 6-year-old nephew was treated for leukemia at the Johns Hopkins pediatric oncology department.
"A year ago, they weren't sure he was going to see his sixth birthday," Rodenhausen said. "It was such a tough time for our whole family."
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The two set aside three weeks of vacation time for the trip and began training months ago by riding 150 miles a week. During the trip, they will average 60 to 90 miles a day. They will navigate using a GPS unit mounted to Rodenhausen's handlebars, but they have maps in a folder, nestled in with other supplies, just in case.
They're carrying about 40 pounds of gear each, which includes some food, but they plan to make stops along the way for water, even if it comes from a garden hose.
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To follow their progress, and for information about making a donation, go to chesapeakewatershedrideblog.tumblr.com/