72-year-old biker travels U.S. to raise money for American Cancer Society
TOWN OF DICKINSON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – A Town of Chenango man is back home after circumnavigating the continental United States on a bicycle to raise money and awareness for a cause close to his heart.
A small crowd gathered at GHS Federal Credit Union on Upper Front Street last Wednesday to welcome back 72-year-old Tracy Stephens.
Last Spring, Stephens set off on his bicycle to ride to the four corners of the country, heading first to the easternmost point in the State of Maine, west to the State of Washington, south to San Diego, then back east to Tampa, and then north to home.
Along the way, he raised $15,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Stephens logged around 13,250 miles and had to change inner tubes ten times and tires three times.
He says that worse than the rain or heat was the 20 to 25 miles per hour head winds he encountered in Mississippi.
Stephens says he first came up with the idea after having been on a few shorter cycling trips in Europe.
'I thought, 'Jeez, cancer killed my mother, I should ask the Cancer Society if they would sponsor me.' So, I asked, and they said yes. Basically, to me, this ride was a lot in memory of my mother,' said Stephens.
'We touched base routinely throughout the process. So, he would let me know where he is and how he's doing and just kind of keep his spirits up. He's an amazing gentleman, he's become a friend over this journey, and we're just excited to have him back home here today,' said Associate Director of Development for ACS Jamie Kane.
We were there on May 22 of last year when Stephens started his journey.
Chenango man biking across America, raising money for American Cancer Society
Along the way, he stopped at a number of American Cancer Society Hope Lodges, which provide cancer patients with a place to stay while undergoing treatment.
Stephens says he was eager to get home during his final week on the road in what he considers to have been his last great adventure.
News 34 Pizza Week returns
72-year-old biker travels U.S. to raise money for American Cancer Society
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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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