BY DIANA SCHLAKE
Enquirer contributor
When Phil Compton sets out on his bike from Seattle next month, he'll be living the life of a vagabond for a good cause.
Mr. Compton, 49, of Anderson Township, is riding with seven other local people in the GTE Big Ride Across America, the largest cross-country bike ride ever held in America. Starting June 15, he and about 1,000 other cyclists plan to average 80 miles a day, about 3,200 total miles, to reach their Aug. 1 destination of Washington, D.C.
His inspiration comes from two boys who could never do anything like this. Through mountain ranges and arid plains, this physical and mental challenge is an effort to raise money and awareness for the American Lung Association, and especially for his "training buddies," Scott Wingate and Christopher Theobald.
Scott, 10, of Delhi Township, suffers from respiratory problems and is unable to do any aerobic activity outside.
"He (Scott) knows what it is like not to be able to breathe," said Diane Wingate, Scott's mother. "So he knows what Phil is doing is real special. He's hoping that others will be able to benefit from the money and efforts of Phil and people like Phil."
For Mr. Compton's co-worker, Phyllis Theobald of White Oak, this cross-country ride is amazing. Her sonChristopher, 7, was diagnosed with reactive airway disease when he was 3 years old. "To give up all his vacation time for this . . . it's totally admirable," she said.
For months, Mr. Compton has been training and raising money for his expedition. His initial goal was $6,000.
"I have written over 600 letters to people and asked for money," Mr. Compton said. "That has generated about $13,000. I also have Folger's Coffee as a sponsor. So far my total, at last recap, is $43,000." Along with his letter-writing campaign, Mr. Compton is engaged in a fitness crusade to train for the extensive trek.
"The boys are a motivational tool for me to keep up my training, and it takes a lot of training. From December through the first part of March, I trained 90 minutes a night, six days a week in a gym. In March I switched exclusively to bicycle training. . . . So far I've ridden over 3,000 miles."
As a pilot for Procter & Gamble Co., he travels periodically. "I take the bicycle with me on multiple-day trips when I'm out of town and I'll ride wherever I happen to be," he said.
The goal is more than $8 million, with all the money raised by Ohio cyclists returning to their area.
