Aurora Man's 300-Hour Stationary Bike Ride to Benefit Fox Valley United Way Youth Programs

AURORA, Ill., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Ultra endurance athlete George Hood, an Aurora resident and three time Guinness world record holder in stationary (spin) bike riding, will help Fox Valley United Way raise funds to support local youth programs as he takes aim at a new Guinness record for spin bike riding.

Hood, already in training at Aurora's Rush-Copley Healthplex, is shooting for a 300-hour ride. Fans can watch Hood's next long-ride warm up, a 15-hour ride that begins at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Healthplex (1900 Ogden Ave., Aurora). Saturday's training ride is one of a series that will lead to the Fox Valley United Way-Ride IV Reasons record-setting attempt, April 11-24 at the Healthplex.

The current spin bike marathon riding record is 192 hours, set in January, 2009, in Belgium by Shirvani Merhzad. Hood's best so far is a then record 177 hours, 45 minutes, set in May 2008 at the Heritage YMCA in Naperville.

Funds raised by Hood will go to Aurora-based Fox Valley United Way, which provides support for more than 50 social services agencies in Aurora, Big Rock, Bristol, Hinckley, Little Rock, Millbrook, Montgomery, Mooseheart, North Aurora, Oswego, Plano, Plattville, Sugar Grove and Yorkville.

A portion of the donations will be shared with the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, which provides support to Marines injured in Afghanistan and Iraq and their families.

"I'm a former Marine officer," Hood explains. "I've been in Afghanistan. I've witnessed the dangers our young people have faced and the sacrifices they have made. They are heroes in so many respects.

"But I also know that the future of our great country lies in its youth. Especially now, the kids in the Fox Valley need our help. My hope is that we all be inspired to help so many."

For Fox Valley United Way, Hood's record-setting attempt "will help us highlight the continuing need so many families, especially families with children, face," says CEO Michael Meyer.

Sponsors and individuals who want to join the Fox Valley United Way-Ride 4 Reasons campaign can contact Meyer at 630-896-4636 or Hood at www.RideGeorgeRide.org.