Four cycling to benefit veterans

The summer days are becoming shorter, and another school year is approaching.

While the rest of us are enjoying what remains of our summer, a retired marine and three young men from California are cycling cross-country for more than just their good health.

“Cross Country Cyclists 4 Vets” includes Marine veteran, John Foldberg, 57, and three students from California, Daniel MacFarlane, 20, Nathan MacFarlane, 17, and Evan Gillham, 16. The average age of the team is 27. They came to know each other through the Central Coast Christian Church in California for seven years, and found strengths with each member needed to take on the challenge.

The goal of the ride is to raise $20,000 to be donated to the Semper Fi Fund, an organization that aids wounded Marines returned home from war. While their tour across the country is right on schedule, their goal to raise donations is miles ahead, receiving more than $10,000 in their second of a 10-week ride.

“People are so generous to this cause, and all we are is a flashlight to point to the needs of wounded vets,” said Foldberg.

When thinking of his wounded friends from overseas, Foldberg remembered Davie Lind, who lost his legs in Iraq to a roadside bomb.

“It’s great to be able to put a face behind what we’re doing. Something that will have a lasting impact on someone’s life,” said Nathan MacFarlane.

Foldberg began scouting for businesses to link up with for the tour and found inspiration in the Semper Fi Fund.

Foldberg made announcements to his community in order to build a team. He found all the right components in the three young men from his church.

Daniel, the older MacFarlane, was the training guide to schedule workouts with increasing distances and times as the team prepared for their longest endeavor to date. Nathan MacFarlane, who Foldberg crowned the “computer wiz,” prepared social media outlets and a web map to outline the tour. Gillham, the youngest of the group, said he enjoys photography on tour. On the team’s website, www.ccc4vets.com, Gillham is listed as the financier and cook.

Within a year of training, they were prepared for the tour in which they would average 60-miles a day, each carrying about 60-pounds, over the 3,750-mile stretch across the U.S. from Anacortes, Wash. to Yorktown, Va.

“Our other desire is to see America, separate and distinct from the major highways,” Foldberg said.

Foldberg’s wife, Carrie, has been following the team in a rental van carrying support and gear.

“It’s so encouraging to see two generations working together for this important cause,” said Carrie Foldberg.

The cross-country cyclists will continue south from Kalispell, heading toward Helena and Billings en route to Wyoming.