Dan Oshop, the Greenfield man who bicycled around the world between Jan. 1, 2000 and Jan. 1, 2001, will try to break the world record for nonstop cycling and raise money for pediatric cancer research in the process.
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| Dan Oshop's adventures have taken him around the world, but this time he'll be pedaling in one place. (Annie O'Neill, Post-Gazette) |
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At 5 a.m. Saturday, he plans to sit down in the window of his Bruster's Ice Cream Store in Squirrel Hill and begin riding a stationary bike for what he hopes will be 64 hours. In the meantime, he's looking for people to pledge funds for each hour he cycles. He's also asking them to double their pledges if he breaks the record. The money will go to Katie's Fund, which supports pediatric cancer research at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
"I went to an event last spring at PNC Park and met some people [from there] and I liked the idea of helping kids and cancer victims," he said.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the world mark is 60 hours, Oshop said. The media- savvy 50-year-old is going for 64 because he wants to finish at 6:45 p.m. -- in time to make the 7 o'clock news on Monday.
Oshop must follow a number of Guinness rules to be credited with the mark.
He can take 15-minute breaks only once every eight hours, although he is allowed to eat and drink any time while he is cycling.
"If everything goes well, I'll nap for 10 minutes [during the breaks]," he said. "I'll put a bed in the bathroom and just sleep for 10 minutes. I'm a good cat-napper. I usually feel pretty good after 10 minutes. I throw some water on my face and go back on my bike."
Guinness requires Oshop be watched at all times by a doctor and a nurse as well as by two witnesses who will verify the record. He put paperwork out in his store for people to sign up as witnesses.
He also has to pedal at a minimum speed of 121/2 mph.
"I'll be going a lot faster than that," he said.
To pledge: Oshop's Brusters is at 4070 Beechwood Blvd. Squirrel Hill; his phone number is 412-805-7795 and his e-mail is doshop@aol.com.
Pohla Smith can be reached at psmith@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1228.
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