Vt. man biking to California to warm up for race

[September 15, 2008]  PITTSFIELD, Vt. (AP) -- A Vermont man planning to ride in a 508-mile bicycle race in California is taking the long way to the starting line. He's pedaling there.

Joe Desena, 39, says he is leaving Monday on his 3,000-mile trip west, which is expected to take about two weeks. He's planning to be in the field on Oct. 4 for the Furnace Creek 508, which goes from Santa Clarita, Calif., to Twentynine Palms.

Desena, who has participated in dozens of adventure races, triathlons and ultramarathons, says there's no better way to get in shape for the race than to bike across country.

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Information from: Rutland Herald, http://www.rutlandherald.com/

[Associated Press]

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