Well as we’re leaving Boise on Sunday, the Ironman event was on going. These can ride about 40 miles per hr. Well me and Mikey can go 10. But who do you thing will finish the race first? The turtle will always win. As we’re long-distance riding as we do anywhere between 60 and 80 miles per day and pack a 100 lbs of weight. Well in 2 days out of Boise we have done 160 mile so far. As we’re heading north up into Montana, we’re looking at some pretty bad clouds. Let’s hope it is it rain and not snow…hehehe. We will go about another 30 miles for the day. Hope to make Riggins ID by night time as in the morning we have a 15 mile climb at White Bird and it will take about 4 hrs to do it. We have been talking to people about our trip and telling them about the homeless in Boise and the U.S.A and that we all need to do our part to stop this. Well that is our update and we ask how all of you are doing your part in the homeless problems we have here. Have fun and godspeed. kenneth bettencourt

CEDAR CITY – When Mike Treadway starts to feel worn down from riding his bicycle up mountains, through valleys and across state lines, he thinks about those he is trying to help.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, between 5 million and 8 million Americans will experience at least one night of homelessness over a five-year period.

Treadway wants to help explain how it happens and what can be done to prevent it.

“There’s a perception out there about the homeless,” he said. “But they’re just like anyone else. There’s millions of Americans out there one paycheck away from being homeless, and they don’t realize it.”

For nearly a month, Treadway has been riding from town to town, camping by night and visiting with people by day, raising awareness and promoting education on homelessness.

And, he’s just getting started.

Treadway is in the midst of a 4,000-mile trip that started March 15 in Gallup N.M., and will likely last into August as he travels to Homer, Alaska.

With only his equipment, some water bottles, information booklets on homelessness, a tent and sleeping bag, Treadway travels as many as 100 miles each day, depending on where he’s headed and who he wants to help along the way.

At each city and town, he stops, visits residents and volunteers at the local homeless shelter.

In Cedar City, he spent some time at the local Iron County Care & Share, helping serve food and volunteering to repair some broken bicycles.

A Tennessee native and former rodeo cowboy and stuntman who has biked more than 17,000 miles in his career as an endurance cyclist, Treadway found himself in financial hardship in 2005, and was homeless on the streets of Boise, Idaho.

It was there that he received a helping hand at a homeless shelter called Interfaith Sanctuary, which is open to people of all faiths, or those without. After volunteering at the shelter, he decided he had found his new calling in life.

Treadway decided to use his experience as an outdoorsman, survivalist and endurance cyclist to spread awareness and knowledge about the plight of homelessness and how everyday people can help, so he hopped on his bike, traveled the country and talked to people.

“I’ve got my own personal goal,” he said. “And I won’t stop ’til I’ve achieved it.”

As he spreads his message about helping the homeless, Treadway has no sponsor, no financial backing and no guarantee that he’ll have a place to sleep from night to night.

He depends entirely on donations and the kindness of strangers, and only accepts enough to pay for food and bike repairs.

“I rely on faith to provide me with what I need,” he said.

Treadway does encourage people to donate to Interfaith Sanctuary, referring them to the shelter’s Web site, and his friends in Boise say they are grateful for his efforts.

Jayne Sorrels, director of Interfaith Sanctuary, said Treadway was always friendly, and always willing to help around the shelter once he got there.

When the idea of using his unique talent – long-distance bicycling – to educate people around the country about homelessness it was a turning point in Treadway’s life, Sorrels said.

“All of the sudden he could see it,” she said. “He said ‘Wow, this is going to save my life.’”

Sorrels said Treadway is equipped to help people understand about who the homeless are, how they became homeless and what can be done to help.

“One of the benefits of it is to put a different face on homelessness,” she said.

Sorrels said many people have ambitions, but Treadway’s dedication and courage in actually living one of his dreams makes him a terrific model for many of the people he’ll come across in his travels.

Sorrels said it’s been great to see him going out and making it happen.

“I’m hoping that for him this gives him a greater purpose and gets him going,” she said. “I also hope he might inspire some other people who are homeless.”

Dustin Jones, Cedar City, said Treadway’s story was inspirational, and hit upon an issue that many people can easily forget about.

“I think people tend not to pay attention,” he said. “Hopefully, things like this raise peoples’ awareness and get people involved in helping.”

Treadway said he wants to continue his efforts to raise awareness when his trip is over, and even said he plans on writing a book, but for now it is all about the journey.

He pedals his way out of Cedar City with more than 3,000 miles to go, but said the importance of his cause gives him all the energy he needs.

“It’s all fun,” he said. “It’s all fun when you just keep your faith and enjoy the best parts of it along the way.”

I’m taking our message on the road, across the land, talking to people, spreading awareness, & sharing knowledge about helping the homeless. Most people are curious to know how their donations to Interfaith Sanctuary go towards fighting homelessness. The struggles in a homeless community and a cross country bike ride can be challenging and life changing journeys. Helping spread awareness about our cause inspires me to ride harder & further.

Thank you 4 your time & concern.

Mike Treadway