(STORY IMAGE:KHQ.COM)
SPOKANE, Wash. -Jason Oestreicher was on day three of the Trans American Bike Race when he had to turn around.
The 45-year-olds Achilles tendon’s had had enough and Oestreicher had to pull out of the race.
That was last year. And in two days, Oestreicher will give one of the world’s longest races another go.
“I think I'm really prepared,” said Oestreicher. “I feel really comfortable that I couldn't be more prepared than I am.”
The race is 4,300 miles long and will take Oestreicher and other competitors across 10 states starting in Astoria, Oregon and finishing at the Victory Monument in Yorktown, Virginia.
Only half of those who try actually finish.
“I really hope that I can just really experience the event and take in each day as it comes and try to enjoy it even though it is a race and will be uncomfortable,” said Oestreicher. “I'm going through so much new territory that I’ve never seen and I’m trying to enjoy that.”
Oestreicher’s goal is to finish the race in less than 20 days. To do this, he’ll have to ride at least 220 miles each day on little sleep.
But he’s not doing it for himself.
Oestreicher is raising money for Habitat for Humanity Spokane.
He chose to ride for the non-profit knowing that the Spokane community has an affordable housing crisis.
“Habitat inspires me because of the selfless work they do to provide the opportunity for people to realize their dream of homeownership,” said Oestreicher. “In turn building a better community with each home that they build.”
If you’d like to donate to his cause, you can do that by clicking on this link.
You can also track Oestreicher’s progress by following this link.