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CINCINNATI (WXIX) – A Cincinnati Navy veteran is biking across the United States to raise $250,000 for Tunnels to Towers on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Jim Serger — a lifelong Cincinnati sports fan, Reds usher, author and marathon runner — said the idea came to him nearly a year ago at one of the last Reds games of the season.
“So, last year, almost the last Reds game of the year, I had this idea of doing something bigger for 9-11 and I knew I had only 10 months to get ready,” Serger said.
Training and the ride
Serger spent those 10 months preparing with 5 a.m. wakeup calls, five days a week, three hours a day. He and his riding partner, Cory, began the journey in California, covering 100 miles a day on a 3,500-mile route to Manhattan.
The pair are documenting the ride as they go. As of Thursday at 4:30 p.m., they were still in Arizona and on track to reach ground zero around Aug. 2 or 3.
Serger said the ocean and the mountains have been the best part of the trip. The worst: 107-degree heat.
Riding for the fallen
Serger said his motivation is rooted in those who responded on Sept. 11, 2001.
“I will remember the 343 firefighters that died in one day, the 23 police officers and the 39 port authority agents and all the others who dropped everything they were doing in the United States, and went to Shanksville, the Pentagon and straight to Manhattan at ground zero,” Serger said. “I’m riding for them. That’s what motivates me.”
Tunnels to Towers
The funds raised will benefit Tunnels to Towers, an organization that helps create homes for veterans and first responders.
“My mission is to raise awareness for Tunnels to Towers and have fun at the same time,” Serger said.
Serger said he hopes the ride sends a broader message as well.
“When we complete the whole thing, I want everybody to remember that anything is possible. You can do anything you want,” he said.
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