Alex Gleason bikes across the country to combat obesity.

When 20-year-old Alex Gleason returned for his junior year at Erskine College, the story of his summer vacation was unique among his peers, to say the least. On June 22, Gleason, the recent recipient of a Foundation for Rural Service college scholarship, dipped the rear wheel of his bicycle in the Pacific Ocean in Olympia, Wash.

After a send-off ceremony at the steps of Olympia's Capitol Building, attended by state agricultural education administrators, farm bureau officials and agricultural educators, Gleason pedaled away to begin the journey of a lifetime--"Expedition Nutrition."

Eight weeks later, after a 3,500-mile cross-country bicycle journey across 14 states, wherein Gleason was exposed to the full spectrum of elements, cruised up and down the 4,500 feet Cascade Mountains at 50 miles per hour and received an incredible amount of media attention, he was lauded with a hero's welcome in Isle of Palms, S.C., where he symbolically dipped his front tire in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Calhoun Falls, S.C., native decided to embark upon Expedition Nutrition to combat the country's problem of obesity, especially among the nation's youth, by promoting awareness among the American people of the needs for proper nutrition and an active lifestyle. More specifically, his mission was to encourage the sufficient consumption of agricultural products that can improve overall health and quality of life.

"Our bodies are like sponges," Gleason said. "The more garbage we eat, the more our bodies have to filter through ... If more people know that or learn that, it will be worth riding two months alone."

Indeed, as Gleason traveled along the renowned Lewis and Clark Trail, where the solitude was noticeable, he sometimes would travel up to 50 miles in between towns. He kept a comprehensive journal to record the physical and emotional details of his experience.

His trek was inspired via his involvement with the Future Farmers of America (FFA), an organization that develops leadership skills in youth through agricultural education. The national spokesperson for the South Carolina chapter of FFA, Gleason utilized his connections with this nation-wide association for assistance in obtaining sponsorships and places to sleep. He also used his connections to arrange press conferences and other media events along the way that would further his message.

Gleason conducted numerous radio and television interviews when he stopped in various towns, and updates of his expedition were published in many local and regional newspapers along his route. A number of agricultural magazines also invested themselves in his cause.

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For example, Gleason addressed state career and technology officials in Nashville, Tenn. As he biked through North Dakota, he was joined by a fellow FFA alumnus, State Commissioner of Agriculture Roger Johnson. After interviews on a major television station and two radio stations in Bismarck, Gleason stayed with Johnson's family for the night.

As in Bismarck, for the majority of his trip, Gleason relied on the graciousness of supporters for his housing, and he spent several nights in the homes of U.S. Department of Agriculture's service agency employees, agricultural teachers and former state FFA officers. Many nights, however, Gleason slept under the stars at camping areas and at national parks.

Because of the physical demands of biking such distance, Gleason began his training three months prior to his departure. Throughout his trip, he averaged 80 miles per day, burning between 8,000-10,000 calories because of the strenuous exercise. To accommodate these caloric needs, Gleason ate between six and eight meals daily--some of which he cooked using a small cooking stove attached to the 30-pound trailer he carried with him.

As Gleason's journey was coming to a close, he was joined August 12 by South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers. The commissioner biked with Gleason from Summerville to the Isle of Palms. Gleason was warmly welcomed at a ceremony presided by Mayor Michael Sottile, and was surrounded by his family, friends and political leaders.

In front of cameras from six television stations, Gleason also was welcomed by staff members from the office of Sen. Lindsey Graham, and was awarded a Certificate of Accomplishment from the office of Rep. Henry Brown (R-S.C.). The FFA also bestowed upon him an all-expenses paid trip to the 2005 National FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky.

Gleason is contemplating the possibility of writing a book about his experience based on the information from his journal. After he graduates from Erskine, he plans to pursue a doctorate in international food science and human nutrition.

Editor's Note: Alex Gleason received an FRS scholarship award in 2003. He was sponsored by West Carolina Telephone Cooperatve (Abbeville, S.C.).

By Megan O'Donnell, NTCA Communications Assistant