Bike4Alz ride ends after 59 days, $65,000 raised for Alzheimer’s research

Bike4Alz is biking from International Falls, Minn., to Key West, Fla., over the course of two months this summer in order to raise money for Alzheimer’s.The group members pictured are (front from left) Josh Amos, John WIlliam Owen, (back from left) Austin Lanter, Ben Harris, Dylan Ward and Will Garcia. They have ridden bikes all their lives, but it wasn’t until they decided to go on this trip that any of them purchased road bikes or began training for a long-distance trip.

Maciena Justice

After about 2,700 miles, nine bikers crossing the country to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease have ended the Bike4Alz ride in Key West, Fla. 

Bike4Alz is a nonprofit organization that was inspired by the riders’ fellow Phi Gamma Delta fraternity brothers who founded Fijis Across America in 2010. Many riders also had personal connections to those who suffer from Alzheimer’s.

The group started their bicycle ride in International Falls, Minn. on May 25 and rode 59 days until they reached their destination. 

Winchester junior Austin Lanter said the group went as far north and south as they could possibly go. 

Lanter said he couldn’t believe the generosity of people. Complete strangers would take the riders in to use showers and sleep on floors, he said.

He said Bike4alz has raised $65,000 for Alzheimer’s research so far. 

Bike4Alz plans to do other events to raise money and to inspire others to take on the challenge of similar rides.

“For our group the ride is over,” Lanter said.