[VIDEO] Hastings Teens Bike 4,000 Miles X-Country

They were chased by coyotes, slept in rain soaked sleeping bags and physically endured a 4,000 mile bike ride across the country to help make sure that kids in Yonkers could also experience the joy of riding a bike.

In addition to fulfilling a childhood dream—Hastings-on-Hudson High School rising seniors Jacob Karmel, 17, Jeb Polstein, 17, Matteo Befi, 16 and Miles Hirozawa, 17, raised more than $3,000 for Project S.H.A.R.E's SHARE-a-Bike program, which donates bicycles to children in Yonkers through Westhab Inc., which provides housing and social services for low income and homeless families.

Project S.H.A.R.E.- SHARE the Project, Inc. is a community social action club for teens started by Hastings-on-Hudson resident Jeanne Newman. Karmel, a club member, came up with the idea as a project for the club. Click here for the organization's Facebook page and here for Karmel's fundraising page on indiegogo.com.

"I'm thrilled that one of our seniors, Jacob Karmel, came up with this grand idea of combining his passion for safe cycling with the desire to share it with kids who might not otherwise have the opportunity to own and care for a bike," said Newman. "SHARE continues to grow and give kids the chance to try out their ideas based on their innate compassion. How cool is that!"

The Hastings teens wanted to do the cross-country ride last summer, but settled with their parents on a scaled down 800 mile trip from Maine back to Hastings-on-Hudson instead. Since their prior trip proved they were responsible and could handle such a feat, their parents agreed to let them take the extended trip this summer.

The foursome shipped their bikes to Seattle then took a flight on July 21 to get them. On July 23, they embarked on their 57 day bike ride—stopping to eat, use the bathroom and sleep at camp sites or motels along the way—that took them through nine states and Ontario, Canada.

Hastings-on-Hudson Mayor Peter Swiderski presented the teens with a proclamation Monday evening at the Polstein residence declaring Aug. 20, 2012 Befi-Hirozawa-Karmel-Polstein Day to mark their accomplishment.

"They brought honor to their village through their efforts, pride to their parents and set a good example for everyone," said Swiderski, in the proclamation.

Check out our video to see how the teens, and their parents, endured the trip.

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