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So Hedt, pastor of Landover Hills' Ascension Lutheran School, decided to combine his athletic goal with his goal of raising money for students to continue their private school education during a difficult economy.

Hedt, a pastor at the school for 13 years, will use today's C&O Canal Trail ride from Cumberland to Georgetown in Washington, D.C., as a fundraising tool where community members and corporations have each pledged at least $130 for every mile he bikes. He said the trip should last about 17 hours.

Hedt expects to raise at least $24,050 for the school's scholarship program. It costs $7,200 per year in tuition and fees to attend Ascension Lutheran School, a kindergarten through eighth-grade school of about 150 students. The scholarship program assists students' families who may struggle to cover tuition costs.

Last year, the congregation raised about $172,000 to give students for this school year, and provided for half of tuition costs for 21 students. Thirty-one percent of students overall received some form of financial aid.

"We don't want to turn any children away over dollars and cents," Hedt said.

Hedt pitched the idea of biking the C&O Canal Trail in fall 2008 when Ascension Lutheran Church faced a $200,000 deficit entering the current school year and staff wondered how they would fund the scholarship program. He wanted to maximize the amount of money raised without the extra costs of food and entertainment that come with a traditional fundraiser banquet.

Hedt trained by biking 200 miles a week for four months in areas such as Lake Artemesia in Berwyn Heights and around his neighborhood. He bikes the C&O Canal Trail from Cumberland to Georgetown each summer to celebrate his birthday in July, and has done so for more than a decade. He also bikes for fun with his wife, Alice.

Andrew House, 50, of Bowie, an eighth-grade social studies and religion teacher, bikes 50 to 80 miles on weekends with Hedt. House said his first reaction to Hedt's plan was "that he was crazy," but he likes Hedt's originality.

"I think it's a neat idea," House said. "It generated a lot of enthusiasm in the parish and enthusiasm in the kids. To me, this was really unique."

House said the trail is mostly flat, with woods on one side and the Potomac River on the other. Hedt said the trail is "one of the most beautiful places on Earth," and has a bevy of wildlife such as herons, deer and the occasional bald eagle.

"It gets you away from work," Hedt said. "It's almost like meditation. Obviously, you're burning up negative energy. You're releasing stress."

One of his sponsors, College Park Bicycles, provided lightweight bike tires and adjusted handlebar height to maximize Hedt's comfort. Hedt said he does not get any leg pain on long rides, but sometimes his hands become numb.

"At about 100 miles, boredom is a bigger problem than fatigue," Hedt said with a chuckle.

Hedt's son, Matthew Hedt, 37, will travel north from North Carolina to shadow him in a van and bring food, water and an extra bike or two, just in case. Matthew will also provide Web updates with his laptop on his father's progress on www.ascensionschool.org.

Eighth-grader Stephen Haselton, 14, of Glenn Dale admires Hedt's efforts and said he realizes riding a long distance may not be easy.

"If he's willing to do all that for this school, then this school is blessed," Haselton said.

Hedt said he hopes students will follow his ride on the school Web site, and that he wants to see students receive a good education in a context of Christian values.

"One day these will be my caretakers, my physicians, my attorneys, so I want them to have a good solid shot," Hedt said. "That sounds like a selfish motive, but they are our future."

E-mail Natalie McGill at nmcgill@gazette.net.