Retiree riding bike from L.A. to Boston

CHAMPAIGN, Ill., June 12 (UPI) -- An Illinois man is riding his bicycle from Los Angeles to Boston to raise money for the Central Illinois Alzheimer's Association.

Champ Walker, a retired high school history teacher, began his trek a little more than a month ago by dipping the back wheel of his bike into the Pacific Ocean, the Champaign (Ill.) News-Gazette reported Friday.

"When I get to Boston, I just might dump the whole bike in the ocean," Walker said.

He told the newspaper that past treks failed to prepare him for riding through the Mohave Desert in 110-degree heat or fighting 96 mph winds in Texas.

Walker is traveling with 16 other bikers, each on his own personal or charitable mission.

"I'm not in a race," Walker says. "Everybody rides at their own leisure."