WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: 9-11 Charity Biker

9-11 Charity Biker

By David Kenney
david@wlbt.net

This weekend Jackson firefighters are hosting a man trying to raise money for the families of 9-11 victims.

He's covered over half of the U.S. states in his travels, using his legs to power him along the way.

Don Boehly's been bicycling for 16 months now.

After 9-11, he sold everything he had, and hit the road, promoting his web site, encouraging others to give.

Boehly says, "My web site is www.9-11usa.com. They'll go directly to a legit web site for policemen, firemen and our troops."

So far Boehly's biked through every state in the Mountain and Pacific time zone, and most of the Northern states.

He's cycled 15, 092 miles, a distance most people don't drive in just over a year.

Boehly says, "If I didn't have a gel seat I'd be in big trouble."

He doesn't do it for the money, Boehly's paid only with what people can give him, to carry him through the next leg of his journey.

Boehly says, "Shelter and food, hotels and motels help and restaurants and cycle shops for replacement parts."

Jackson firefighters at Central station were more than happy to take Bohely in for the night.

Chief Reuben Ray says, "We're gonna take care of him tonight, feed him take him out on the town if necessary, but a great accomplishment to do what he's doing."

He plans to end his journey at ground zero, on September 11th this year.

With a new outlook on life, after seeing the country from behind a set of handlebars.

Dan Boehly says, "Basically 9-11 is over with but everyday we have people out there risking their lives to save ours and that's not over with and that's what I do this for."