Mike Williams, 62, of Marion leaves early Thursday morning for San Diego for the start of a coast-to-coast bicycle ride on Saturday to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network.

He called the ride a major item on his bucket list.

“For the last 10 years, riding coast to coast across America has been one of my biggest dreams,” Williams said.

His ride extends 3,100 miles from San Diego to St. Augustine, Fla. Williams expects to ride an average of 95 miles a day to finish up in 33 days.

“Costco was kind enough to give me enough time off to accomplish my dream,” he said.

He chose to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network for a number of reasons. His employer is a huge supporter of the charity but he had ties to the organization before going to work for Costco at the gas station in 2008.

“CMN is kind of a family affair, as my cousin Steven Williams served CMN for 14 years and was senior vice president with them before succumbing to cancer,” he said. “His daughter still works for them in public relations.”

He set a goal of raising $10,000, which will stay in Montana to benefit Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena. Serving patients statewide including the Flathead Valley, the hospital treats children and teens with psychiatric services and infants through adults with genetic services.

Williams began by seeking pledges from fellow employees at Costco, then expanded to members. Now he is reaching out to the community to come to Costco to the customer service desk to make a pledge or visit  www.shodair.org and clicking on “Support Shodair” and “Donate Now” and select the button that says “Mike’s CMN Cross-Country Ride for Kids.”

“I ask people to honor their pledges in May,” he said. “That way, we can double up. Costco matches pledges up to $1 million.”

Customers at Costco may check out his route on a 12-foot map and his progress on fund-raising by watching a thermometer to be displayed at the store.

“You don’t have to be a member,” he said. “Just go in by the food court and tell them you’re interested in doing something for the CMN ride”

Williams pledges to keep his part of the bargain, starting at 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning in San Diego. He said the first leg in California had a lot of hard pulls up hill.

“I’ll start slow,” he said with a laugh.

Prior to this, the longest bicycle ride Williams has taken was a 575-mile, seven-day ride through Montana for AIDS Vaccine research in 2001. He made that ride with over a thousand other riders.

“That was quite an experience,” he said. “Ever since, I’ve dreamed of riding coast to coast.”

Williams will make this trip on his own. He mapped out a route that goes across the southern portion of the United States to avoid inclement weather.

“My wife Vargie will be driving our pickup and trailer and will be my support team,” he said. “Without her, this would be an impossible journey for me.”

He plans to sleep in the trailer each night, get up and have breakfast with Vargie and then hit the road. Williams will ride his Trek in hilly country then switch to his Orbea bike for the flat lands.

Because of the winter weather, he couldn’t train outside to prepare for this major adventure but he did what he could inside.

“I have a little training device for my bike,” he said.

Williams said he considers himself in good shape for a  62 year old although he said he isn’t buff enough to pose on the front of Men’s Health.

“I’m no spring chicken,” he said with a laugh.

People may follow his progress on his blog http://micyclecrosscountry.blogspot.com. He invites people to read his entries and chat with him as he peddles across America.

So far, he said the employees at Costco have given him tremendous support. Williams also counts on his late cousin Steven for inspiration as he faces the challenge of riding 3,100 miles.

“Steven was an avid cyclist also and I’m hoping that he will be riding on my right shoulder every mile of the way,” he said. “He will be my rock.”

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.