Allegiant Air Cycling Team’s goal is to raise $150,000 this year

If you had asked Las Vegas resident Andy Bestwick two years ago if he would cycle across the country for any reason, he would have said you were crazy. If you'd told him he would be willing to do it twice, he'd have scoffed.

Bestwick not only rode from Ocean-side, Calif., to Annapolis, Md., last summer for charity, he plans to do it again in June as part of a four-man team sponsored by Allegiant Air.

Money raised from the Race Across America participant s' efforts will benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Greater Las Vegas, 2323 Potosi St.

"It was one of those life-changing experiences that is just hard to describe," he said. "Last year, we had six men working round the clock to make it across the country. This year, we're smaller in number but mighty in heart."

The group raised $100,000 last year and hopes to raise $150,000 this time .

"So much goes into running this house, and it's all for a good cause," he said. "I'm just hoping we can really get the word out so that corporations and individuals will see what we're doing and make a donation to this wonderful cause."

Ronald McDonald House provides the families of sick children with housing. Executive director Janet Linder said last year's donations helped tremendously.

"We have it figured that it costs approximately $50,000 per month to keep the house running," she said. "Every little bit helps, and we were so honored that Allegiant chose us as the benefactor."

Linder said the nonprofit organization is fueled solely by sponsorships and donations and estimates that it costs approximately $60 per night to house one family. Each family gets its own suite, which Linder described as a home away from home.
"These families are dealing with enough," she said. "We want them to be as comfortable here as possible."

There are no time limits set on families staying in the house.

"As long as they need to is what we say," Linder said.

The Allegiant Air Cycling Team is set to begin the competition June 18. Last year, the team placed sixth in the race. Bestwick said the group is hoping to win it all this year.

"We finished in six days and 18 hours," he said. "This year, we are shooting to do it in six days flat. I know it will be tough because the race operates as sort of a relay. One man rests while another man is riding, and we do it in shifts. We are down two people this year, but I know it can be done."

Tony Gebbia , an English teacher by profession and the team's director, said he thought the 2010 race was monumental for both the house and his team.

"It was a milestone in my own life," he said. "I never thought I could do something like that. But we did it, and we made a difference in the lives of people who are struggling by doing it."

Gebbia said he's excited to be involved in this year's race.

"This is going to be difficult, but we are both determined and dedicated," he said. "Last year, we had people who were donating one cent per mile. We hope that will again be the case."

Gebbia said the hardest part of being involved in a long-distance cycling event is the wear and tear on the body.

"If you don't rest when you need to rest and eat enough, you won't be successful," he said. "But we have been training hard, and we want to win this for these families. We want to give people a reason to donate, and that's what we're going to do."

Contact Southwest and Spring Valley View reporter Amanda Llewellyn at allewellyn@viewnews.com or 380-4535.