Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

McClellan bicycling for conservation

When 43-year-old John McClellan's job got slow he took a leave of absence and decided to take the opportunity to raise money for one of his favorite organizations.

McClellan is riding more than 2,000 miles on his bicycle, leaving from Barton Creek Habitat Preserve in Austin, Texas, and stopping in his home state of Michigan. His plan is to raise money for the Nature Conservancy.

The Nature Conservancy purchases land and maintains its natural resources for generations to enjoy.

McClellan said he moved to Austin in 1979. At that time the population was 400,000 people. Now the population is 1.1 million.

"I would like to see the city's natural resources conserved for future generations," said McClellan.

McClellan would like to make everyone aware of how important conservation is.

The preserve McClellan left from is 4,084 acres of scenic landscape. This is just the beginning of the land the Nature Conservancy protects. In all it protects more than 92 million acres internationally and has more than one million members.

McClellan plans to stop any preserves he may pass along the way. Friday morning he toured the Terre Noire Natural Area located on Highway 51 near Arkadelphia. This preserve has several of Arkansas finest natural resources and wildflowers.

When McClellan was asked why he chose to ride during the hottest month of the summer he said, "It's the slowest time for sales." McClellan is a sales manager for TriActive, Inc., a provider of systems management services.

McClellan said, "It hasn't been that hot yet. Since I am riding I do catch a little wind and that helps."

McClellan's brother-in-law is following him in a sport utility vehicle in case McClellan has any problems along the way. McClellan's wife was following him until Dallas and then she flew back home. She plans to rejoin him in Chicago.

McClellan plans to reach Michigan by August. He said it wouldn't take him long to reach his destination due to his good physical condition.

"I have been training for this trip a long time. I would ride my bike every day starting at 2 p.m. so my body would be adapted to the heat. I am 43-years-old and I will probably end this trip in the best physical shape of my life."