In an effort to engage, educate and empower Americans, Gary Gianetti is on a cross-country bicycle tour of the United States.
Gianetti is the founder of Ride For Your Life, an event that will take him to 50 states in 50 days to raise awareness and funding for cancer survivors.
Each day he takes part in a 100-mile bike ride and his journey brought him to Coal City to complete the Psycho Century, a ride along the Illinois River coordinated by the Bike Psychos Cycling Club.
"It was a nice ride," said Gianetti, who began his trek across the U.S. in Connecticut on Aug. 18.
As he makes his way across the county, Gianetti is seeking to engage communities, educate the public about cancer survivorship and empower Americans to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Gianetti knows first hand the impact cancer can have on those diagnosed, their families, friends and co-workers. His 52-year-old his mother died from lung cancer a few years ago.
She was a 35-year smoker and Gianetti said his entire family changed following her death, a death that could have been prevented had she quit smoking sooner.
"While we can't change the past, we can change behaviors," he said, noting certain types of cancer can be prevented and physical activity and a healthy lifestyle can reduce risk factors.
Gianetti encourages Americans to make time for physical activity. He's challenged smokers to quit for the 50 days of his cross-country ride.
"I will ride for eight hours a day - you quit smoking for eight hours a day," he said. "Let's not lose more good people to this disgusting habit. Let's be strong and take care of ourselves to see our families grow."
As the founder of the ride, Gianetti has been working on the event for the past year. Two weeks and 2,400 miles into the adventure, he notes that even the best laid plans need to be refined.
Plans change daily, so Gianetti relies on his road manager, Scot Ward, to organize their days.
While Gianetti is out on the bike, Ward charts their travel plans, sets up lodging and meals and finds a location for the cyclist to freshen up after the ride.
While in Coal City last week, Ward set up a make shift office at Julie's Java. In addition to providing short term office space the owner donated lunch for the pair before they headed to an event in Wisconsin.
Gianetti and Ward also stopped in at the Coal City Fire Station, where Gianetti freshened up after the Psycho Century. Because of their tight schedule, it was a quick stop.
"This is the nicest fire station I've been in," Gianetti said, admiring the facility and its equipment. During their short visit at the station, the pair talked about the event, that day's ride and snapped a few photos.
"People have been so generous," Gianetti said, noting the willingness of people to provide lodging and meals, not to mention donations for the cause.
Funds raised through the ride will be donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Livestrong.
Gianetti's background is in sports nutrition and health promotion. He's a personal trainer, health and fitness counselor, marathon runner and cyclist.
Currently a resident of Steamboat Springs, CO, Gianetti met Ward in a Colorado coffee house.
Ward, who grew up in Florida, is also a cyclist and hiker. Additionally, he's been personally impacted by cancer, losing both grandmothers to the disease. Now his family is getting involved in the Ride For Your Life campaign.
Gianetti has been writing a weekly column for the Trumbull Times, his hometown newspaper in Connecticut, as well as maintaining a blog about his 5,000 mile journey. His final ride is in the Ironman Bike Ride on Oct. 6 in Kona, HI.
To learn more about Gianetti or to make a donation to the cause log on to www.HealthyAltitudes.com
