It started out as a simple adventure bike ride idea to Ian Martin's long-time family cabin.

But five local athletes will pedal nearly 500 miles from Coeur d'Alene to Jasper National Park in Alberta over four days starting Wednesday for a cause.

Martin, Greg Gervais, George Rohlinger, Duke Dixon and Kris Stanton - all Ironman athletes - have raised more than $27,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County.

Their goal with the "The Big Bike Adventure" is to reach $50,000.

"Greg and I decided that, if we're going to do this, we should try to raise funds for a local charity," Martin said. "We couldn't think of a better cause because it's for kids."

The journey along U.S. 95 will include the Kootenai National Forest, Radium Hot Springs, Lake Louise and the Banff and Jasper national parks.

The challenging course will feature elevation changes ranging from 1,700 feet to 6,800 feet and grades of 11 percent. The group will average 119 miles per day, staying at hotels along the way.

The bikers will pay for their own expenses, so all donations will go toward the youth club. Wives Sheri Martin and Terri Gervais will serve as the support crew in two vehicles along the route, making sure the cyclists reach check points and have a ride home.

"When Ian and all his crew began to implement the vision, I was blown away," said Ryan Davis, the club's executive director. "Everything was done with such a spirit of excellence. From the website all the way down to the followup with donors, the blog to track all the riders, even getting clothing and nutrition sponsored, not one item has been missed.

"This is creativity and thinking outside the box at its finest. The Big Bike Adventure is more than a fundraising endeavor. These guys are riding nearly 500 miles to help change kids' lives."

Money raised by the ride will be used for the club's programs. The club is serving nearly 175 youth every day this summer.

About $1.7 million has been raised for the club's building. The campaign needs to raise about $500,000 more before ground is broken at the site next to the Post Falls Library.

Martin said the group plans to use the bike ride as a lead-in to speak with kids about making healthy choices with nutrition and exercise. The riders will hold a sendoff ceremony at the club on Tuesday.

"We will talk about how many bottles of water we will have to drink and how many calories we will have to consume to keep ourselves fueled up along the way," Martin said. "I will also talk about the wildlife we will see and try to get them to realize exercise can be fun too.

"We thought that not only would the ride be good for a fundraiser, but would be a great way to help educate kids."

Martin has a personal testimony about being out of shape. He was pushing nearly 300 pounds three years ago when a blood clot broke free in a leg and went into his lungs. Martin was on blood thinners for the next nine months.

The episode propelled Martin to make lifestyle changes and he started out by running Bloomsday. Then, Gervais, a Boys and Girls Club board member, encouraged him to shoot for Ironman. Martin has competed in the past two Coeur d'Alene Ironmans.

Martin said he's looking forward to the bike challenge. His family has owned a cabin at Jasper since the 1920s.

"The response to this ride has been overwhelming," he said. "We are honored to be able to ride for our youth. Every child deserves a chance to be just that."

How to help

n For information on the The Big Bike Adventure and to make a donation, visit www.ourgreatbigadventure.org.