Provided photo A picture of Andrew Parker’s bike that he has used to take part the “Great Cycle Challenge” during the month of June. He is hoping to rasie $1,000 this year.

HOUGHTON — Andrew Parker of Hubbell picked up cycling three years ago and has since dedicated his time to the “Great Cycle Challenge” that has 80,000 riders in the United States and have worked to raise $8 Million dollars, biking 3.5 million miles to help the 15,700 American children who are diagnosed with cancer every year.

“I came across this Facebook page (called) ‘The Great Cycle Challenge,'” he said. “I just started poking around on it and thought it would be a good idea to try and do my part, and at the same time doing something that I enjoy. I enjoy riding and now, for the month of June, I have a reason to ride.”

Parker rode last year, raising $800 and riding 500 miles, helping get the word out by advertising at Michigan Tech, where he works. This year, he set a goal of one thousand dollars and 600 miles.

“I just work in a building where there’s a lot of people, at Michigan Tech,” said Parker. “I just started putting some flyers up and started getting some donations for the fundraiser and I set a goal. The first year I did it, I set a goal of 500 miles and I surpassed that despite the flood that happened last Father’s Day. I still was able to ride over 500 miles last year.

“This year I stepped it up a little bit, I set a goal of $1,000 and my riding goal was 600 miles,” he said. “To date, I’m about 50 miles short of reaching that goal. I’m doing something that I enjoy. I ride pretty much daily anyway, but I’m riding for a cause for the whole month of June.”

Over the winter, Parker prepared for the 12- to-60-mile riding days by using a training bike and riding fat tire trails in the offseason to help stay in shape for the challenge.

“I rode all winter also,” he said. “I have a fat tire bike that I ride on some of the fat tire trails in the winter and I also have a smart trainer set up in my garage. I was riding to try and keep my insurance and stay in shape all winter so when spring time rolled around, I (could) get back on the road and not be as sore and still be in (good) shape to ride.

“I’ve ridden as few as 12 miles to as many as 60 miles in a day to rack up some miles and get that goal met.”

Though Parker has not met any riders in the Keweenaw, he has networked with riders from Marquette and Ironwood that also bike for the same cause. He also sees his fundraising efforts paying off in big strides.

Since he rode over 500 miles last year, he qualified to earn a green jersey, which helps identify him as a rider who is working towards this worthy cause.

“I don’t know anybody locally that’s doing this and I thought by just being out riding and wearing that jersey, that people would be curious to find out what it’s all about. I thought I’d just try to keep it going and bring awareness to the cause out there and it seems like it’s working. I’m getting more contribution to the fundraiser and there’s people talking about it.

“The fundraising effort is coming to an end. This is the last week, but maybe next year I’d like to get some group rides or get more people to join a team to bring awareness and to try to make it a bigger fundraising effort.”

Overall safety and visibility is of concern for cyclists like Parker who tries to ride in low traffic areas as much as possible.

“I try to stay off all of the main highways (and) try to ride when traffic is slower, when it’s not rush hour, not when people are getting done with work,” he said. “I tend to ride a lot on the country roads where it’s quiet. I always wear all high visibility clothing.

“I try to change my routes so I’m not riding on the same routes all the time.”

When asked what motivated him to partake in this journey, his answer was simple: he loves not only riding, but it also motivates him to help others.

“I probably wouldn’t ride as long as I do (or) as far as I do and everyday,” said Parker. “I missed one day this month because I was traveling back from downstate… I probably wouldn’t ride as much and (for) as many miles as I have if I wasn’t riding for a cause.

“Let’s face it, these kids are riding for their lives. So I think a little bit of sweat and (a) no pain, no gain philosophy comes into play a little bit. I think it’s a great cause and I just keep on riding.”

“I turned 40 and I figured it was time to make a change,” said Parker. “I was packing on some extra weight and I tried running. It’s just not my thing. I found cycling to be a lot more comfortable.”

Cycling for Parker is much more rewarding because it feels less strenuous on his body and is a way from him to cover more ground.

“It seems like it’s a lot more rewarding because you can cover a lot more miles,” he said. “You can ride a lot further than you can run (with) less impact on the body. I just chose cycling because it was something that I picked up on and enjoyed and it’s a good stress reliever for me also.”

Parker enjoys riding with the Cross Country Sports bike shop team in Calumet who hosts bike rides on Wednesday nights. Though this year’s challenge is about to conclude, Parker is looking for ways to expand his efforts in the years to come.

“I would just like to keep the awareness going and maybe get some more people involved,” he said. “I’m not sure that there’s a lot of people that are even aware, even other cyclists around here, that (know) what I’m doing.

“I’d like to definitely get more people involved and maybe start a team, maybe get some group rides in (and) maybe some fundraising to help generate funds for this great cause.”