Long-range bike ride to benefit United Way

AURORA -- Ultra endurance athlete George Hood of Aurora -- a 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.

Hood is shooting for a 300-hour ride, and fans can watch his next long-ride warm-up, a 15-hour ride that begins at 6 p.m. Saturday at Rush-Copley 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 next April at the Healthplex. The Healthplex is donating training and event time to Hood.

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

Money raised by Hood will go to Fox Valley United Way for youth programs.

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. Hood, a Marine and retired DEA agent, recently returned from Afghanistan.

Sponsors who want to help the ride can contact United Way, 630-896-4636 or www.RideGeorgeRide.org.