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MUNISING - Two Alger County "Pedalers 4 a Cure" are set to leave from Munising Saturday on a 2,600-mile bicycle trip to the Pacific northwest in an effort to raise public awareness about breast cancer.

Riders Rob Lundquist, 45, of AuTrain Township and Todd Kent, 37, of Munising will leave Bayshore Park at 10 a.m. Saturday with riders from the local area accompanying them on their way west along M-28 toward Marquette.

"It's been a year-and-a-half in the making and I'm glad the day is coming that we can finally see the fruits of our labor," Kent said. "We're excited. We're looking forward to talking to people out there on the road."

Lundquist said the two riders, who have raced together in events over the past three years, wanted to take a cross-country trip for a while, but wanted to also incorporate a cause with their effort.

"We wanted to really do it for something bigger than ourselves," Lundquist said.

Inspired by the impact breast cancer had on the lives of three breast cancer survivors and their families, Lundquist and Kent decided to dedicate their trip to the cause.

"Breast cancer destroys a lot of people, it actually pulls families apart," Lundquist said. "But through all of this, these three families actually got closer."

The women are all board members of the local Anna River Pedalers biking club where Lundquist and Kent are members. Donna Shields, one of the women, is working as campaign coordinator for the bicycle trip.

The cyclists are hoping to raise $20,000 for The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation, which was founded in 2006 by Eric R. Beverly, a retired 10-year NFL veteran and his wife, Danielle Beverly, a three-time breast cancer survivor from Munising.

The foundation is dedicated to providing programs and activities uniting both men and women in promoting education, increasing awareness, and providing support and resources for families who have been touched by breast cancer.

Shields said Lundquist and Kent hope their mission "will have a positive impact on the lives of others and bring encouragement to individuals and the families of those facing this disease."

"It is also their hope that those they encounter along their path will find it in their hearts to help support the cause and help them to obtain their goals," Shields said.

Shields said as the cyclists travel across the country, they will not be soliciting donations.

"Rather they will be spreading the word about their mission and why they are doing this to bring awareness to breast cancer," Shields said. "We expect that there may be some they encounter that wish to help support our cause which would be greatly appreciated, but that's not the purpose of their travels."

Shields said she contacted many cycling clubs along their route asking to spread the word about the mission and asking if their members would show support and ride with them through their local area.

Heading toward Marquette Saturday, Kent and Lundquist will be coming into Harvey via Lakewood Lane, making their way to the city's bike path.

Their route through Marquette will follow the bike path up along the lakeshore then across town heading west, eventually coming out on to U.S. 41 at the Target/Wal-Mart stop light.

Local riders from the Marquette and surrounding areas that wish to ride along with Kent and Lundquist are asked to meet at the Michigan Welcome Center in Harvey at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Lundquist and Kent will be riding cross-country mountain bikes that have been converted to road bikes. The bikes will have trailers in tow and their tour will be self-supported with camping and church and occasional motel stays.

For the first seven days, the two men will be riding about 100 miles each day. In all, Kent the cyclists will travel through portions of seven states. Their first day off during the trip will be when they reach Minot, North Dakota. When the trip is finished, Kent and Lundquist will be flying home to Michigan.

For a complete itinerary along with up-to-date tour information, or to make a donation, visit their website at: www.pedalers4acure.com For more information about The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation, visit their website at: www.beverlyfamilyfoundation.org