The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
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Two to start cycling adventure
John LeBlanc and Sayre Nesmith to raise funds to sponsor youth group
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: July 3, 2008
The trial run was not promising.
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In preparation for attempting to cycle more than 300 miles in three days, John LeBlanc and Sayre Nesmith undertook a 50-mile trip last week as a sort of primer.
It could have gone better.
Thirty-five miles into the trip, Nesmith popped a tire and the two 21-year-old friends had to walk two hours to a bike shop in Dexter to get the tire repaired.
"The whole trip took us five hours," LeBlanc said, "and half of it was walking."
They figure the experience prepared them for what might be in store when they take off Thursday to begin the first 100-mile leg of a three-day journey to Charlevoix, where they plan to meet up with vacationing family and friends.
"We figured we're going to face adversity, we might as well get used to it now," Nesmith said.
The two friends, neither of whom have much experience with cycle touring, came up with the idea of biking to Charlevoix about five weeks ago, when they were trying to think of an adventure for the summer.
"We were just talking and saying that we needed to get together and do something stupid," LeBlanc said.
"We wanted to do some crazy man trip," Nesmith said.
That night, they plotted out the trip to Charlevoix, which was a bit farther than they initially expected. Still, they moved forward with the idea.
"A lot of ideas sound good for a day or two," Nesmith said, "and then you realize they're just not. This one we committed to doing."
Later, LeBlanc suggested they turn the cycling adventure into a fundraiser to help 22 children from their church, the Saline First Assembly of God, attend the National Fine Arts Festival and National Youth Convention in Charlotte, N.C. They sought per-mile sponsors for the miles they cover during the first 48 hours of their journey.
Prior to preparing for the trip, neither LeBlanc nor Nesmith had biked more than 20 miles before.
"We're definitely green," Nesmith said.
They plan to sleep in tents for two nights. They are taking a video camera to record an account of the trip. They expect to arrive in Charlevoix sore.
The two have been friends since middle school and now attend Eastern Michigan University together where they are studying to be physical education teachers. Both are graduates of Saline High School and are currently assistant coaches there. Nesmith helps coach football and LeBlanc boys soccer.
They are filled with anticipation about their cycling adventure.
"I think it's the most dangerous, hardest thing I've done," Nesmith said.
"I'm most excited about grinding it out," LeBlanc said.
For more information about Nesmith and LeBlanc's trip or to make a donation, contact youth pastor Mike Johnson at 429-7732.
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