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Zimmerman BMX Rider to Head to Alaska!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. 539MN

Former Zimmerman BMX biker, James Rienstra, will begin his long haul from Zimmerman, Minnesota  to Anchorage, Alaska a 3,300-mile bicycle trek on Friday, May 20.

He is doing this for charity and the money raised will go to the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund because of Shaver's cancer struggles and because Rienstra wants the money to stay in Minnesota.  He is honoring his father who died of pancreatic cancer five years ago.   He hopes to raise at least $10,000 and much, much more.   

Monies are already coming in via his personal blog at http://minnesota2alaska.blogspot.com/

James says he will not see any of the money that is raised through his blog, which utilizes the Razoo application. He will also be documenting the trip on Facebook.com-Minnesota2Alaska.

Clicking on the Web and HometownSource.com will link with Rienstra's blog and provide viewers a daily sampling of how the trip is going. James is hopeful he can log at least 50 miles a day and says he should be able to complete his journey in about 70 days, which would bring the completion sometime in early August.

He works for Miles Construction, specializing in remodeling. He has also been jogging four to five miles daily.

James plans to talk to Zimmerman elementary and high school students on the day he leaves. Friends and family will ride and camp out with Jim for the first few days, or until he reaches Bismarck, N.D. From there he will travel solo. He says that the mental part of the journey will be the toughest, being away from his family.

His mother, Linda,  will send him CARE packages along the way. These supplies will keep him energized throughout the trip. "Good energy attracts good energy," he says.

When he reaches Alaska, James says he plans to hit the salmon run all the way. "I can't wait," he says.

Reflecting on his BMX freestyle racing days, James says these were experiences that helped him escape Convinced that he will accomplish his 3,300-mile bicycling journey, James says anyone can "pretty much do what you want to do." He says, "Dream and dream big." In his soft-spoken but stern manner, James says he would like to see his crusade bring in $25,000 or more. He believes it is possible.

Upon completing his ride, James says he hopes "to chill out" and enjoy the natural hot springs of Alaska. At the end, he also hopes to do some commercials and put together some promotions based on his ride. The ultimate satisfaction of all this, of course, is the result of earning money to help with cancer research, he emphasizes.

A benefit to raise money for Pedaling for Pennies is planned from noon to 3 p.m. at Paddy Wagon's Irish Sports Pub in Coon Rapids on Sunday, May 1. Paddy Wagon's is located at 133 Coon Rapids Blvd.

Go to James' blog and find his route to Alaska. Also, learn more about him. Let's read:

"I do not identify myself as a cyclist - not yet at least. But, pedaling my bike from Minnesota to Alaska has been a dream of mine since my father passed away on Nov. 22, 2005.

"To be able to do it for charity, and in honor of my father who has gone before us - well, that just makes everything even more special."

Posted by

Moving in Excellence!

Don Sabinske, Broker, GRI

www.donsabinske.com

Sabinske & Associates Inc.

763-350-7960

Specializing in Sherburne, Wright, Anoka and Hennepin Counties...We can help you move!

 

Comments (5)

Suzanne McLaughlin
Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN
Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

I read about this in the local paper.  What a trip that would be.  It will be interesting to watch his progress.  Thanks for the post!

May 07, 2011 11:10 AM
Ron Marshall
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

They had a follow up about this story in the Star Tribune, too.  Interesting.

Nov 03, 2012 06:47 PM
Suzanne McLaughlin
Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN
Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

There you go....outdoing me again, Marshall.  Watch out!

Nov 04, 2012 05:14 AM
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Great local, human interest story. How did the boy do? Have a great night, Don.

Jan 10, 2013 12:55 PM
Marshall Enterprises
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Antiques, Lawn Care, and Trashouts

Don, I am pleased to assist you in reaching your goal this week.  Just a few more comments.  And, congratulations on the feature today!

Jan 22, 2013 09:43 PM