SMETHPORT — Three northern New Jersey high school classmates who are riding bikes across the United States in support of a good cause camped Thursday night at the McKean County Fairgrounds.
Mike Mesce, Tom Piesla and Owen Talmadge, 2017 graduates of Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange, N.J., decided to embark on this adventure to raise funds for the Jed Foundation, which focuses on mental health of teens and young adults and preventing suicide in these age groups.
“The Jed Foundation is a non-profit organization named after Jed, a young man college student who committed suicide in 1998,” said Mesce.
Two years later, his parents, Donna and Phil Satow, established the Jed Foundation that partnered with schools and colleges in promoting sound mental health and suicide prevention programs for teens and young adults.
Preparing for this trip took several forms. Mesce worked out on a stationary bike for several weeks. Talmadge rode mountain bikes and exercised with a Peloton.
Piesla biked 32 miles in round trips between his home in Bloomfield and Freehold.
The trio began their ride on June 15 from the Queen Bridge Park in Brooklyn.
When they arrived in Smethport, the county seat of McKean County, they had just conquered some of the steepest terrain on Route 6 between here and the Far West. Mesce and Piesla both ride 21-speed bikes, while Talmadge prefers the 27-speed model.
On a visit to Costa’s Supermarket in Smethport soon after their arrival in town, they met Heather Doutt, a local resident who was interested in their trip. Knowing that a family had stayed overnight at the county fairgrounds several years ago, Doutt contacted Denise Hale, office manager of the fair association, to see if arrangements could be made for the trio’s one-night camping stay at the East Smethport facility.
“It just happened that there was a special meeting of the fair directors in progress when Heather contacted me, and after talking to Kristina Francis, association president, authority was OK’d for the three cyclists to set up their individual tents on the grounds,” Hale said.
Joe Irons, also a fair director, was working on the grounds when the cyclists arrived and made the showers available, even though it was only cold water. He also contacted The Era, and an interview was held very soon.
How did the three sleep? All agreed that they slept very well.
Speaking about their experiences so far that have brought them in touch with various cultures often in small towns, the men mentioned examples of hospitality shown to them, especially in rural areas, “There are many more good people than bad ones out there,” Mesce said.
A typical day on this trip begins early in the morning so they can be on the road before the temperatures get so hot. To get limber, Talmadge said he stretches.
Breakfast Friday morning was a change from the usual menu. Instead of having oatmeal and possibly heated canned food, the trio enjoyed a home-cooked meal at the Hubber Cafe on West Main Street.
Then, it was off to Warren, a trip of approximately 45 miles.
With their arrival in Smethport, they had completed approximately 300+ miles of the scheduled 3,775 miles to Seattle, Wash. The current daily average of 40+ miles will increase substantially to possibly as many as 60-70 as the terrain gets flatter and the riders’ stamina increases. Water breaks are scheduled about every 10 miles since it’s critical to stay hydrated. Mesce keeps a log of daily events, which is posted online at the website bikeforjed.wixsite.com/home, where the route can be seen and there is more information about making donations. All three keep in regular contact with family and friends through social media.
Further, they joined the ranks of college graduates this year.
Piesla graduated in the winter with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton, where he is now studying in the MBA curriculum.
Talmadge earned his undergraduate degree in materials science engineering from the University of Michigan. During their brief stay in Smethport, he enjoyed the good-natured kidding he received for being a Michigan alum in Big 10 rival Penn State territory.
When the trio arrived in Smethport, Mesce, who received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Fordham, was wearing his alma mater T-shirt. By breakfast Friday, that was replaced by a Penn State shirt, which was a conversation starter.
Piesla donned a Seton Hall baseball shirt.
The trio will probably fly home after they reach their destination.
