As a bartender at Empire Pizza in Downtown Tucson last fall, Ethan Pesch told anyone who would listen about his post graduation plans:
He was going to ride a bike, he said.
With his dad, Scott.
Across the country.
To every Major League Baseball ballpark.
The job lined up for Ethan, who earned his degree in marketing from the University of Arizona last December: Cycle miles of road, endure sore buns from sitting the saddle and eat whatever he wants — including carne asada fries from Petco Park in San Diego — and commune with his dad and other friends along the way.
“I’ve been preparing for this adventure. Riding four to five times a week and getting used to being on a seat all day,” Ethan said from their home in Humboldt County, California. “I don’t recall how many people I told about the trip, but I’m grateful I got to spread our story. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and to do it with my Dad means everything.”
Ethan, 23, and Scott, 59 started their journey on March 27 in Seattle. They will be in the Bay Area for Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants games in the coming week. In early May, they ride into Phoenix and will watch a Diamondbacks game on May 5.
“Our goals are a good experience and help Ethan prepare himself for his next life chapter after college graduation,” Scott said via email. “He and I will have a lot of time to think about things individually while riding all this way and we can talk about things along the way as well.”
Here’s a trip breakdown by the numbers:
9,563
Miles the Peschs will attempt from Seattle to Miami — that’s almost the entire baseball season. They began March 27 and aim to finish in September.
8
Grade Ethan was in when his dad told him about the original trip. “I was always intrigued by the idea, so now to do it again, it’s something I’m looking forward to,” Ethan said. “I remember being in shock telling people about how cool my Dad was. Who in their right mind wants to do something like this?”
1
Recreational vehicle the duo will use for daily support, meals and stays.
32
Years since Scott rode nearly the same route with three track teammates from Humboldt State University (now known as Cal Poly Humboldt.)
2
Support crew driving the RV for each segment of the ride.
6
Combined pairs of padded bike shorts the pair packed.
0
Cell phones and digital maps used in that 1994 trip.
100
Daily goal mileage.
14
Miles per hour the duo averaged on Friday afternoon — about four hours after they departed Seattle and headed south into Oregon.
100,000
Dollars the Peschs aim to raise for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital — all donations support lifesaving pediatric cancer research and care.
30
Daily mileage Ethan averaged as he trained four or five days a week post graduation. “Things started to ramp up as it got closer to start time, so the mileage went up as well,” he said. “Mentally, I’ve always just tried to keep a positive attitude. Sometimes it can be overwhelming and the pressure can start to build up, but I try to remind myself this is such a great pressure to have. The idea of doing this is crazy, so finishing it will make it even better!”
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