Community Corner

Towaco Man to Bike Over 400 Miles to Fight Global Poverty

Alan Guenzel is riding in the Sea to Sea 2013 Bike Tour.

An experienced long distance athlete from Towaco plans to cycle more than 400 miles from Montreal to Staten Island this month to help fight global poverty.

Alan B. Guenzel, 51, is riding the final leg of the Sea to Sea 2013 Bike Tour. He starts riding Aug. 19 and will travel around 70 to 80 miles a day.

Guenzel is a member of the Christian Reformed Church of America, one of the sponsors of the Sea to Sea Bike Tour. Montville's local Reformed church is supporting Guenzel in his effort. He has raised more than the $2,500 needed to participate, and hopes to raise $10,000.

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"I can't imagine a kid going to bed hungry at night," Guenzel said.

An experience long distance athlete, Guenzel became aware of the Sea to Sea Bike Tour through a postcard.

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Sea to Sea helps fund business affiliates around the world as they work to fight poverty through business training, mentoring, access to loan capital and advocacy, according to the tour's website.

The tour has hundreds of riders who can ride particular legs or the whole cross country tour. Tractor trailers move the cyclists' equipment to where they will spend the night, such as churches or campgrounds.

Guenzel, president of Marathon Financial, a financial advisory firm her started in Fairfield, also is a member of the Towaco Civic Association. He and his wife, Sabrina, have two daughters, Kayla, 15, and Kyra, 14. He has participated in the Wisconsin Ironman and New York, Boston and Philadelphia marathons. 

To support Guenzel's fundraising efforts, visit his fundraising page.


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