Solo bicyclist rides through county for kids

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

In what originally started as a personal vacation for Jerry Pollock, 52, of Goshen, Indiana has now turned into a far-reaching event that is about anything but himself. Pollock is riding his bike through three states to raise money for three children’s hospitals. With a 100 miles to go before reaching the 1,000 mile mark, he found himself in Presque Isle County.

“I have three children, 11 grandchildren and the 12th one any day now,” he said from a sun soaked deck at Manitou Shores Resort. “I love those children to death and I started thinking about how fortunate I am to have all of my children healthy.” Pollock is going through a life-changing period. He recently lost his job, but had $3,500 saved for a “get away from it all vacation.” He thought about traveling to Florida to see the space shuttle blast off. Unfortunately, the mission was canceled twice.

“I GOT TO thinking that I probably could spend all my money in about a week,” said Pollock of a trip to Florida. He instead decided to buy a brand new bicycle and ride for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.

He calls the three state trek from Goshen to Sandusky, Ohio, and up along the Great Lake coastline, “Grandpa’s Top Secret Adventure for Children.” His son, who established a Web site to accept donations to what has blossomed into three children’s hospitals, went with something shorter for the Internet name: grandpasch

arity.com. “My kids thought it was great, what I was going to do,” he said. “They were worried about me going that kind of distance.?

Pollock was looking forward to seeing the Mackinac Bridge in the coming days and then down the western coastline of Lake Michigan on the last leg home. “I DIDN’T WANT anybody to know this before I left — I hadn’t really rode a bicycle since 1985. It might have been God telling me something. I love children and I do know children who have been helped at Riley’s Hospital. I felt the need to do something good with this.”

He left Goshen July 1 and made it to Sandusky on Independence Day and has spent $2,500 of the money he saved. He said it was right on schedule. ?If there is any money left, I?m going to donate it.? It has been an extremely safe trip and he’s gotten really good support from folks and at riding in a straight line. Money has been raised, but he doesn’t want to know how much until the ride is over.