fla. kid bikes to alaska

Longwood's Steven Perezluha, 18, journeys to Alaska -- and back -- on his bike -- OrlandoSentinel.com
By Andrea Adelson Sentinel Staff Writer

11:15 p.m. EDT, August 15, 2009



Steven Perezluha left his home in Longwood on June 8 on his trusty racing bike, three days after graduating from Lake Mary High. He wore his yellow racing jersey, black bike shorts and a helmet.

The maps he stashed away were highlighted with back roads and bike trails that crisscrossed the United States and Canada, a distinct path that would guide him for the next 6,000 miles.

Steven Perezluha was headed for Alaska.

Before you go thinking it, Perezluha is not crazy. Not by a long shot.

No, Steven Perezluha is a driven, determined young man who set out to do what he had been taught: he went for it all.

"I've always wanted to be out there on my own, to control where I go for my destiny ? just me and my bike," he said.