300 Miles: Local Teen Sets Out On Ride For Cancer Research

While many teens will be spending Memorial Day weekend by the pool or enjoying barbecues with friends and family, Alec Souders will be spending the long weekend biking as far as 80 miles a day.  

The Oakton High School student will be embarking Friday morning on his fourth bike ride to raise money for cancer research.  Joining him on the ride this year will be his dad, Andy Souders, Alec's best friend, Brendan Boyle and his dad Joe Boyle.           

"I started this project after my grandfather died from melanoma several years ago and I wanted to raise money to help people with cancer," Souders, 14, said.

Souders, who has raised over $20,000 so far, will start this year's ride Friday morning near Frostberg, Md., which is where his grandmother lives.  The four-day trek will end May 27 on the W & OD Trail in Vienna. 

Souders said his family has been hit hard by cancer:  He has lost both grandfathers to melanoma cancer, as well as his grandmother who had lung cancer and an aunt who had colon cancer. 

"We ride to remember them all of of those who have been touched by this disease," Souders said.

"It is great that my best friend Brendan will be riding with me this year.  He always supports me and wants to join in," Souders said. 

Along the way, other family members and friends will be joining in the ride. On Monday, they will be connecting to the W&OD Trail around 1 p.m. in Leesburg, VA for the 26 mile ride into Vienna.

Besides the accomplishment of finishing a 300 mile journey on a bike, Souders has another reason to celebrate Monday -- it is his 15th birthday. 

To follow their journey, Souders will be posting updates on his facebook page, "Pedal it Out" or visit his donations page for updates or to make a donation to the cause.