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Friends’ cross-country bike trek to raise money for ABTA

Friends Matthew Evans (left) and Ross Pleiman (both Tippecanoe High School grads) will be riding their bicycles in June from Yorktown, Va., to Eugene, Ore., a fundraiser for the American Brain Tumor Association. Matt was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was 7 years old and has sustained numerous health-related issues as a result. Fortunately, the tumor is noncancerous.

Jim Witmer Friends Matthew Evans (left) and Ross Pleiman (both Tippecanoe High School grads) will be riding their bicycles in June from Yorktown, Va., to Eugene, Ore., a fundraiser for the American Brain Tumor Association. Matt was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was 7 years old and has sustained numerous health-related issues as a result. Fortunately, the tumor is noncancerous.

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By Nancy Bowman, Staff Writer 8:57 AM Wednesday, May 6, 2009

TIPP CITY — Before they head into the work world after college, long-time friends Matthew Evans and Ross Pleiman are going to spend the summer riding their bikes on a 4,200 mile journey across the country.

“It started out as something to do, a last harrah,” Pleiman said.

It will end as a benefit for the American Brain Tumor Association, a group that provides research as well as support and education for brain tumor patients and families, like Evans and his family.

Doctors found a tumor on Evans’ hypothalamus when he was 7. The tumor was noncancerous but interfering with proper functioning of the pituitary gland. He continues to take medications.

“Despite the tumor, I have a terrific, normal life. I am extremely grateful for the doctors and other medical research that has given me the opportunity to live a normal healthy life,” Evans said.

Tippecanoe High School graduates in 2004, Pleiman graduated from the University of Dayton, where he studied civil engineering, and Evans is completing his studies in organizational leadership at Wright State University.

They’ve named their adventure ABTA Wright Flyers Ride 2009.

To prepare, Evans has been running marathons while Pleiman rode a training bike during the winter. They recently made a road trip to Minster. So far, Evans’ longest trip by bike has been 115 miles; Pleiman has ridden 80.

They plan to ride 50 to 75 miles a day on bikes carrying clothes, supplies and tents. Their route, beginning June 14, will follow the Trans America Trail from Yorktown, Va., to Eugene, Ore., and take an estimated 75 days. They’ll camp at hotels or homes of people who host those viewing the country by following the trail that goes through smaller communities and stays away from heavily traveled roads. Both men plan to keep personal journals of the trip, will keep supporters updated via a Web site and look forward to reading for pleasure after years of focusing primarily on school-related reading.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2292 or nbowman@DaytonDailyNews.com.