Pedaling philanthropist sets out on 225-mile trek
Topeka man says bike ride is fueled by family tragedy
9:45 p.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007
225 miles. That's the distance 53-year-old Eric Nordgren will travel on his bicycle today.
The owner of Aspen Construction Services in Topeka is riding in what he calls the Northeast Kansas 225-mile tour de cure.
"I decided to make it something really special and make it a commemorative event for my father and for my mother-in-law who both died of cancer recently," Nordgren said.
Support Eric
If you would like to support Eric and make a donation, either personal or business, tap here for pledge forms and more details on his upcoming ride.
Nordgren's journey began with a 2 a.m. departure from Topeka this morning. His route takes him through 20 cities and ten counties. Upon closer inspection of his map Nordgren was met with a surprise.
"If you plot the cities it makes the shape of a heart," he said.
And Nordgren isn't alone on this challenge. Packed in a van, his family is in hot pursuit helping with food or water and some humor.
And it's the family support, not the 12,000 miles biked in a year full of training, that helps Nordgren the most.
Related story
49 News caught up with Eric Nordgren earlier this month. He explains why he's set out on this bicycling quest in this story by Jana Corrie.
"It's awesome. Yeah it's awesome," he said.
And when it's all said and done, there'll be no victory parade, no yellow jacket awaiting Nordgren -- just a nice, cozy night with his friends and family in Topeka celebrating what would have been his father's 82 birthday.
So far Nordgren has raised $20,000, surpassing his goal by more than $3,000.
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