Barrington bicyclist enjoys start of West Coast quest

A week into his third Ride for 3 Reasons, 70-year-old Bob Lee of Barrington by Wednesday night had bicycled 305 miles of the 2,500 miles he plans to ride along North America's West Coast.

As he has twice before, Lee embarked on the quest to raise money for cancer, ALS and hospice services.

But once out on the road, the scenic beauty of the U.S. and the friendliness of the people he's met have provided rewards of their own.

From the snowcapped mountains to the smooth, bicycle-friendly roads of Washington state, Lee said he's found the ride that began in Vancouver, British Columbia inspiring.

Potholes are so rare along the forested Northwest, he said he had to stop to take a photo of the only one he noticed.

And he's met several people on similarly adventurous journeys to his own, including a young couple from Germany who'd been camping in Alaska before starting their cross-country bike ride.

"People think what I'm doing is fairly unusual, but when you get out on the road, you realize how many adventurers there are out there," Lee said.

Before he reaches the finish line in San Diego via Tijuana, Mexico several weeks from now, Lee's goal is to raise at least $1 million for the Les Turner ALS Foundation, American Cancer Society, National Hospice Foundation and Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois.

According to his website, 3reasons.org, supporters have already committed $510,379 to the cause.

At the website, you can follow not only his monetary progress but his daily blog and see photographs.

For more information about the cause or to donate, visit 3reasons.org, call (847) 381-6239 or email bob@3reasons.org.