Chris Figureida started a marathon adventure Monday, September 8, in the far northwest corner of the United States--Neah Bay, Washington. On November 24 he’ll arrive in Key West, Florida, after a grueling 74-day solo bicycle trip.

In about two and a half months, he’ll travel over 4,000 miles—and again, that’s on a bicycle. Traveling alone, without a support team or a camera crew. Just one man, his bike, and the supplies he can fit into two packs that aren’t much bigger than some women’s purses.

His adventure will be recorded, though. At the end of each exhausting day, Figureida will pull out his mini-laptop, plug in his Bluetooth link, and update his blog with a written journal, video footage and photos for the thousands of excited schoolchildren, and envious adults, who are anxiously following his route.

Chris Figureida is a man on a mission. This cross-country trip is the second for the 27-year-old Californian. Last summer he started in his hometown of Ventura and, in a 64-day trip, biked 3,746 miles to Lubec, Maine. Along the way he spoke to 6,000 elementary school students and hundreds of elected officials. His topic? Encouraging kids to lead a healthy, nutritional and active lifestyle.

The young man, a self-described adventurer, has powerful partners for his project. The American Heart Association is sponsoring his ride for the second time. New this year is the addition of Rotary International as a sponsoring partner. He collects donations on behalf of both organizations during the course of his bike ride.

“They help me with logistics,” Figureida explained. “I create the itinerary and plan the major stops along the route, then the Heart Association and Rotary clubs help set up school meetings and visits with legislators, mayors and even governors. This year they’re also arranging for a place to sleep in some cities, usually in Rotary members’ homes, although I’ll still be camping out 29 nights.”

An athlete since his school days as a track star, Figureida is not afraid to push himself. He started rock climbing at 13, and by the age of 18 his idea of a good time was to pitch a tent, then hike to a distant peak at midnight in a blizzard.

He started traveling at age 20, visiting Thailand, Cambodia, Sweden, Alaska, Bolivia, Peru, Tanzania and Kenya over the next few years. Many of the trips included athletic challenges: climbing 19,340-foot Mt. Kilimanjaro, hiking the punishing trail to the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu, and reaching the top of Chanchani Volcano in southern Peru.

After summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro, Figureida spent some time traveling in Tanzania and Kenya. There, in poverty-stricken villages and among the most desperate people, he met and was inspired by doctors who were struggling to combat AIDS.

“They lived in mud huts, just like the villagers,” Chris recalled. “I was in awe of their sacrifices on behalf of others, their willingness to forego every comfort and convenience in order to try to make this part of the world a little less hopeless.”

Figureida came away from that experience with a desire to do more with his own life. He began to spin some ideas about combining his adventures with a service goal. Soon, “others got involved and it just kind of mushroomed,” he said. “Before I knew it, I was getting ready for that first bike ride.”

Getting ready requires months of training, both physically and mentally, for the demanding journey. Every weekday after work, Figureida loads up his bike and pedals for 30-plus miles. On Saturdays, he doubles that to over 60 miles for the day. Sundays are his long days, when he travels at least 100 miles.

During training he pulls a trailer behind his bike and gradually adds gallon jugs of water to increase the weight and resistance.

At the same time, the bicyclist is preparing to give presentations to thousands of students across the country. He studies literature from the American Heart Association and tweaks it to make it his own, something he can deliver with passion to his spellbound audiences.

“The first time I went onstage at a school, I actually had note cards in my hands,” he said with a laugh. “As if I was just going to give a speech while they sat there and listened quietly. I learned very quickly that approach wouldn’t work.”

When he finished his initial cross-country journey, he was “just destroyed,” and he didn’t think he’d ever do another marathon bike ride. At one point he couldn’t even bear the weight of a bed sheet on his legs.

“Now, in addition to the one I’m starting this month, I have three more planned: one down the West coast, one up the East coast, and a third across the northern tier of America.”

The modest young man says that one of his talents is “the ability to endure pain.” He is somehow able to push himself through agonizing muscle cramps, minor injuries and sheer exhaustion.

“During the last ride, I attempted an average of 74 miles a day. I had to make my stops on the days they were scheduled, so I couldn’t slack off. I rode through an approaching tornado—one of the scariest things I’ve ever done—and through a huge hailstorm that left me with a split lip.”

Even when he’s safely back home and resting up from the punishment of the road, his work is not done. He compiles news clippings, journal notes, letters from students and teachers, and photos to build packets for each of his sponsors. And then it’s time to start planning for the next one.

These adventures are mostly self-funded, so Figureida works nearly full-time as a welder when he’s at home. But even that vocation is an adventure, as Chris is the sole employee of William Kennedy, the premier builder of magic tricks in the world.

Yes, magic tricks. Magicians come up with the ideas, but Kennedy’s shop in Ventura, California, converts those ideas to amazing reality.

“We can bring a Lamborghini onstage, then completely destroy it before the audience’s eyes. Magically, it comes back together and drives off in perfect condition,” said Figureida.

But the magic of which he’s most proud is the impact he seems to have on youngsters hungry for a role model. “It’s amazing,” he laughed. “They just hang on every word, and fight over who gets to sit next to me at lunch. I just hope they’re getting the message, too. Kids have got to get off the couch and be active, have fun, be kids!”

He shrugged his shoulders and continued, “I guess I’m looking for a legacy. I want to do something that’s beyond myself, and this is what I’ve found.”

To find out more about Chris’ cross-country bike trip and his plans for future adventures, visit www.cycleforheart.org.