Local bicyclist heads across the country for a good cause

On Saturday, Tyler Gilliam will lead a crew of cyclists on a trek across the country in the hopes of raising $10 a mile for Darkness to Light.

The Charleston-based organization was founded by Ann Lee to educate people about the prevention of child sexual abuse.

The riders hope to raise $40, 000 that will go towards scholarships that the organization gives out. He calls the cross-country trip "Pedal for Prevention."

Gilliam started working with the organization as an unpaid intern a little over a year ago when he was looking for a job other than the food and beverage industry.

He met Lee through his job and she helped him get his foot in the door.

Tyler came up with the idea for Pedal for Prevention as a solo ride across the country, but some compassionate souls decided to join him on the journey.

His longtime friend, Landon Phillips, was the first recruit. Shortly thereafter, Mike Allen, Gilliam's friend from Scotland, decided to come over to the states and accompany the two Charleston men on the ride.

This trio hasn't had trouble finding corporate sponsorship. The Bicycle Shoppe on Meeting Street provided them with Fuji road bikes as well as additional funds for the excursion.

Other sponsors include Cupcake, Jack's Cosmic Dogs, M. Dumas and Sons, Five Loaves Cafe and the Holy City Bike Co-Op.

The Charleston County Fire Department is not only backing the trip with sponsorship, but has also contacted fire departments across the country so that Gilliam and the gang will have places to sleep on their expedition.

The three-month trip will start in Charleston at the end of July and will finish up in Los Angeles sometime around Halloween. The projected route takes them through South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and down the Pacific Coast of California, spanning more than 4,200 miles.

There is a kick-off event in Marion Square to bid the bikers farewell at 4-7 p.m. Friday. Food will be provided by Jack's Cosmic Dogs and Cupcake, and the V-Tones will be providing music for entertainment.

The family-friendly send-off will have balloon animals, face painting and other attractions.

The cyclists will upload photos and blog posts with the occasional video on their website, www.pedalforprevention.com, to keep followers updated on their travels and their whereabouts.

Those who would like to help can also make cash donations towards the cause on the website as well. The bike trip is an expansive physical feat, but Gilliam wants to let everyone know that the purpose is much deeper than that.

"The cause is the main reason we're doing it," he said. "The bike is just a means of conveyance."