Father and Son Bike 9,600 Miles for St. Jude Kids

A father and son are turning America's favorite pastime into a mission of hope for children fighting cancer.

Scott Pesch attempted this adventure 32 years ago with college friends, cycling across America to visit every Major League Baseball stadium. A player strike cut that trip short at 22 stadiums, but they still raised $15,000 for their local Boys & Girls Club.

Now Scott is back in the saddle, this time with his son Ethan, a recent Arizona State graduate. On March 26, they'll begin the Bike 2 Ballparks ride in Seattle and won't stop until they've visited all 30 MLB stadiums and raised $1 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The choice of St. Jude wasn't random. Scott's beloved Cal Poly Humboldt professor lost his 12-year-old daughter to cancer, and the tragedy stayed with the family for years.

When the Peschs visited the hospital's campus, the experience changed them. "You walk into the children's hospital. That's the most sobering spot," Scott told Upworthy. "It just stands you up."

Ethan has been cycling four to five times a week since January, preparing his body and mind for the grueling journey. The hardest stretch will be climbing the Continental Divide on their way to Coors Field in Denver.

But they've got plenty to look forward to. In San Francisco, they'll throw out the first pitch at Oracle Park, a dream come true for Ethan, who grew up a Giants fan. Scott can't wait to watch the Cubs play at Wrigley Field on the Fourth of July, just like he did in 1994.

The Ripple Effect

The ride is open to anyone who wants to join for a leg of the journey, creating a coast-to-coast community of supporters. Friends and cyclists across the country are already signing up to pedal alongside the Peschs, turning their personal mission into a nationwide movement for children's health.

When training gets tough or the road feels endless, Scott and Ethan think about the kids at St. Jude. "If you're having a bad day, just think about the kids of St. Jude who are the beneficiaries," Scott said.

The journey will end September 26 in Miami at a Marlins game, but the impact will last far longer for the families who benefit from their effort.