Suwanee Democrat Newspaper Article

Date: May 1, 2008
Folder: Vanessa's Folder
Tag:
Cyclist Goes Cross County
Cyclist peddles message across nation


Dan Altenburg wants people to know how
precious - and rare - clean water is in some parts of
the world
Vanessa
Fultz
vanessa.fultz@gaflnews.com

Dan Altenburg, of San Diego, is pedaling a message
while traversing the country on his bicycle. He's raising
awareness of - and funds for - Charity: Water, an
organization that provides clean drinking water to
residents of developing nations.

Altenburg started in St.
Augustine on April 25. He'll bike about 50 miles a day
until he reaches San Diego, 2,300 miles from his
starting point. Altenburg's longest bike ride before
embarking on his current trip was just 62 miles.

Altenburg,
36, cycled into Suwannee County April 29 and camped at
the Suwannee River State Park for the night. His bike
was loaded down with 50 pounds of gear and various
supplies when he pedaled into the park.

"I like a little organization in my life," he said of matching
satchels strapped to his bike.
One bag held tools and spare
parts in the event of a breakdown. Another bag held a
cook stove, a kettle and food rations. Another bag
housed a tent, sleeping bag and a mat. Another bag held
some clothes.
"The gear itself is about 50 pounds,"
Altenburg said. "It would be a whole lot easier doing
this without it."

Altenburg travels alone, with no one to
help carry his gear or set up camp.
"One of the most
difficult tasks in preparing for an event like this is
planning a route, knowing where you can stay, knowing
where the bike repair shops are, all that stuff," he
said.

Altenburg is following a map provided by
Adventure Cycling Association, a group which promotes travel
by cycle. The map lists parks and hotels, the nearest
bike shops and the distance from one location to
another.

Altenburg learned about Charity: Water from a
friend who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to benefit
residents of southern Africa through a program created by the
organization.

Altenburg's efforts will benefit the
people of Uganda.
Altenburg's goal is to raise $23,780
-- $10 per mile of the trip. That sum will provide
clean water for 2,500 people in need and construct four
clean-water systems in Uganda.

"Mothers are facing
decisions with what to do -- do they let their child die of
thirst or do they give them what they know is not
healthy water," he said. "They're filling glasses with
brown water that you and I would never drink."

Altenburg
said supporting the organization has made him realize
how those of us in developed nations sometimes take
our natural resources for granted.

"We even use our
drinking water for our grass and our lawns," he said.
"The average American uses about 150 gallons a day,
whereas people in the countries we're talking about are
lucky if they can find five gallons for them and their
family."

Altenburg quit his job as a salesman two years
ago to do "something different," as he described it.
First he went to Mexico and studied Spanish. Then he
left for Europe.

"Before heading back to work I wanted
to do something here in the U.S. and I wanted it to
benefit some organization that could really use the
money," he said.

In Gainesville Altenburg met another
cyclist named Frank. Frank asked Altenburg why he was
making the trip.
"I said to him I knew when I was working
as much as I was there had to be something more ...
that I needed at this time in my life to step aside and
find it and enjoy it because timing is everything and
I may not get this opportunity again," he said.
"Frank's eyes lit up and he said, 'Most people don't
recognize that until they're my age -- 65.'"

For more
information about Altenburg visit
http://danbikeride.blogspot.com.

To learn more about
Charity: Water visit
http://www.charitywater.org/getinvolved/promos/dan_altenburg.
#1
Dan
Altenburg, of San Diego, peddles into the Suwannee
River State Park April 29 after riding about 50 miles on
his bicycle. Altenburg is traveling cross-country to
raise awareness of, and money for, Charity: Water, a
group that provides clean drinking water to third world
countries. - Photo: Vanessa Fultz