Geography Professor to Discuss Biking Across America at Honors Program ‘Fireside Chat’

Courtesy: Kyle Terwillegar

Dr. Mark Francek of the Central Michigan University Department of Geography put some miles on his bike when he led the "Biking Beaver Island" Honors course this past summer, but the sum of those miles pales in comparison to his greatest cycling achievement: Biking across America.

Twice.

Francek will hold a public talk about his experiences Thursday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. in Larzelere Hall’s terrace-level study room known as “The Tomb” as part of the Honors Program ‘Fireside Chat’ series. The Honors Outreach Network is organizing the series, which is an Honors tradition from years past revived for the 50^th Anniversary of the Honors Program.

Francek will speak about the two rides across the country he has taken – the first from Rochester, N.Y., to San Francisco and the second from Charlestown, S.C., to Vancouver, British Columbia – and how the trek is microcosmic of life in a lot of ways.

“You can bike even when there’s a wind in your face, hills to conquer, and rain soaking your bones,” said Francek, who teaches such topics as physical geography, soil science, earth science education, and global positioning systems. 

“If you can overcome these trials, getting a Ph.D, raising teenagers, writing a book, or surviving cancer is less of a test.”

Since taking up cycling as a high school student in Rochester, N.Y., going on trips as long as the 150+ mile ride to Thousand Lakes, N.Y., it has become a passion of Francek’s.

“Speeding along in a vehicle at 70 mph, you miss the flower on the side of the road,” he said. “While hiking you can’t cover too much ground and you end up staring at your feet after a while. Biking allows you intimate contact with the landscape yet covers enough distance to allow a cross-country bike trip within a couple of months.

“There’s no better way to see America. You’ll meet unique characters, enjoy hospitality of locals, and see landscapes you’ll never forget. You’ll also lose weight!”

For more information, please contact the Honors Program office and visit the Facebook event page.