BICYCLE TREK HONORS MEMORY OF EPILEPTIC SON.

Byline: Stacy Brown Daily News Staff Writer

When Steve Sitomer's son died from complications of epilepsy, the grieving father wanted to do something special in Brian's memory but never had the time.

Now - 19 years later - Steve and another son, 12-year-old Loren, have begun a three-day bicycle trek from San Francisco to Valencia in honor of Brian.

The inaugural Brian Alan Sitomer Memorial Bike Ride, which began Saturday, is an effort to raise money for the Epilepsy Foundation of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura counties.

Brian Sitomer died June 20, 1978, just six months shy of his eighth birthday - a landmark day because he would have become eligible for Little League.

``Brian was a very intelligent boy who loved baseball but he never got a chance to play,'' his father said before leaving for Northern California.

Sitomer said everything fell apart for him after Brian's death. Steve and his first wife, Linda, separated and later divorced.

``When Brian died he was just 7, and it took me a year to get back to my senses,'' Sitomer said. ``After that, I had to get on with my life and never had the time to do something special in his memory.

``You're always believing that no matter what, your kids will be there. Now I look at baseball games and at other kids and I know that something is missing,'' he said.

Sitomer and his second wife, Sharon, have three sons - Loren; Brett, 14; and Jason, 11. Steve's daughter, Audrey - Brian's sister - has helped with a letter-writing campaign promoting the bike ride.

Steve and Loren said they plan to ride 50 miles a day, stopping to camp or stay in motels. The duo said they are looking forward to the challenge.

``In the past, we have ridden our bikes on long trips, but none with the distance, elevation changes or summer weather conditions we expect on this trip,'' Sitomer said.

Recently the father and son rode from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. Steve, 54, and Loren said they exercise daily.

Now retired after working 25 years as a benefits director at Universal Studios, Sitomer runs five times a week, goes on bike rides and walks regularly.

The Epilepsy Foundation began accepting pledges for the bike ride last month. Sitomer said he'd received about $15,000 in donations before starting the trek.

``Next year, I'd like to see families that have children with the disease ride. I'm not saying ride a distance like this, because Loren and I really prepared for this,'' Sitomer said.

Although Loren never knew his older brother, the Hart Elementary School student - also an avid baseball fan - said he enjoys riding with his father and helping others.

``It makes me feel good, raising money for a good cause, and it makes me feel closer to Brian,'' Loren said.

Susan Pietsch-Escueta, the executive director of the 41-year-old Epilepsy Foundation, said the nonprofit organization seeks to improve the quality of life for the estimated 2.5 million Americans who suffer from the neurological disease.

``We want to do more to help kids with epilepsy. We were pleased to hear of the Sitomer family's interest. We will use the funds raised in the ride to establish the Brian Sitomer Memorial Fund to serve kids with epilepsy,'' Pietsch-Escueta said.

Sitomer said the Epilepsy Foundation was very helpful after Brian's death.

``I had many unanswered questions, and they provided the resources to answer some and, at the same time, were compassionate and understanding,'' he said.

Officials said epilepsy affects one of every 100 people. However, it remains a generally hidden disorder, one that many will not talk about because of the resulting prejudices.

Some of the prejudices include the misconception that epilepsy is contagious (``It's about as contagious as a gunshot wound,'' Pietsch-Escueta said), those with the disease cannot work and that only kids get the illness.

``Epilepsy happens to people over age 65 almost as often as it does to children under 10 years of age,'' Pietsch-Escueta said.

She said the Sitomer fund will support a camp for kids with epilepsy, presentations about epilepsy in schools, and advocacy work on behalf of kids with epilepsy.

To make a donation for the Brian Alan Sitomer Memorial Bike Ride, send a check or money order made payable to Epilepsy Foundation, 3600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 920, Los Angeles 90010-2613.

Sitomer has also set up a Web site where information about the bike ride and epilepsy can be found. You can e-mail Sitomer at lrfy51aprodigy.com or for bike ride donor forms www.geocities.com/athens/delphi/8164// or call [phone].

Pietsch-Escueta can be reached at [phone].

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Photo: (color) Loren Sitomer, 12, and his father, Steve, are planning to ride their bikes from San Francisco to Valencia to raise money for epilepsy in memory of Steve's son Brian.

Tom Mendoza/Daily News