Elk Grove Man Returns from 11,000-Mile Bike Trip

Some people see the world as harsh and unforgiving. Not Teddy Herrera. The 24-year-old Elk Grove native’s faith in himself and the people around him came in handy these past 10 months as he completed a grueling and exhilarating 11,000-mile bicycle trip across the United States and back.

“I found out very quickly that there are more good people out there than bad,” Herrera said.

Herrera, who made the trip on a special tricross bike to raise awareness of childhood obesity, encountered some tough times along the way. But he also met plenty of Good Samaritans eager to help him.

“When I had a breakdown with a flat tire on the side of the road, multiple cars would come up and stop to see if I was OK,” Herrera said. “It was just nice to know they were there, that they cared for someone who seemed to be in distress at the time.”

Herrera began his journey in Elk Grove in June 2010, and made his triumphant return Sunday morning during the Nutrition Fuels 5K run in Elk Grove Regional Park. He rode in following a fire truck to much fanfare, including a crowd of about 100 cheering admirers.

One might think the end of such a journey—when a rider is thirsty and hungry and pushing those calves toward the finish line—would be the toughest part. But Herrera said the first mile was the killer.

“As long as I got that first mile out of the way, then I had that momentum and I knew I would be able to conquer any other mile that came after that,” Herrera said. “Just taking that initial step, making the decision to accomplish your dream, that’s the hardest part.”

Herrera’s dream began last March during a visit to his grandmother’s house, when he asked his 12-year-old cousins if they wanted to play outside. They declined, saying they wanted to stay inside with their video games. Their eyes were bloodshot from hours staring at the screen, Herrera said.

“So I went home,” he said. “I was upset and I thought, ‘I can’t change them. That’s who they are. I won’t be able to make a difference.’ ”

Obviously, Herrera changed his mind. Within a few months, he’d started the non-profit Across America for Childhood Obesity. While on the road he stopped at schools in 21 cities to speak to youths about staying physically active.

Not much more than a youth himself, Herrera graduated from Laguna Creek High School before going on to the University of Arizona. He embarked on his mission with little preparation. He’d been a marathon runner but had no cycling experience.

“I flew by the seat of my pants. I had no idea what to expect,” he said. “I said, ‘I’m going to ride until I can’t ride anymore,’ and usually, it was 75 to 100 miles a day.”

And his tools? A tent, sleeping bag and Tupperware—and a cell phone. Word spread as he went, and soon the Hilton Hotel chain was sponsoring him.

Herrera says his favorite person to meet was Champ Walker in a bike lane in Peoria, Ill. Walker, famous for making his own cross-country trek in 2009, is old enough to be Herrera’s grandfather and shared some inspirational words with him, Herrera said: “You’re a young’un, but look at me. It doesn’t matter how old you are. You can still set goals, decide to accomplish them, and get ‘em done.”

To help spread his message, Herrera is writing a children's book, due this summer. He doesn’t know yet what the title will be or where the profits will go, but he does know how he’ll promote it: with another bike tour, this one 22,000 miles with stops in 49 states.

His advice for anyone out there who wants to follow his trail?

“Just do it. You’ll figure it out along the way. We’re really resilient people. No matter what situation we’re thrown into, we’re going to figure it out and come out on top.”