California man rides for obesity awareness

BOCA RATON, Fla. - "I left California on June 5th with 36 dollars to make a change, to show kids that you don't need anything but a dream," said Teddy Herrera.

The 24-year-old's cross-country trek has had its hardships.

"A tornado in Kansas, a tornado in New York City, in Brooklyn, it was crazy," said Herrera.

"I sleep on the side of the road most of the time, thankfully Hampton Inn is helping me along the east coast, so I have a hotel and a shower," he said.

So why does Herrera do it?
"I hope to spark imagination back into the youth, therefore, they look at my ride and say 'wow I never thought that would be possible,' what else in my life is impossible that I can accomplish," said Herrera.

Teddy founded "Across America for Childhood Obesity," and took his message on the road.

Herrera's inspiration comes, in part, from his 10 year old cousins.

"They looked at me with bloodshot eyes from playing video games for so long and said they didn't want to go outside, and it broke my heart because I knew they weren't actively chasing their dreams," said Herrera.

Friday, Herrera pedaled into Mojo's Barbershop in Boca Raton for a quick trim and much needed R&R.

"We are very proud, we're going to put his picture right on the wall," said Joe Sansone, owner of Mojo's barbershop.

With about 5,000 miles to go, Herrera is proud to see his the wheels are already turning.

"The same two cousins that inspired me are now riding their bikes every day, and they are charting their progress along, as if they were going continuously like me, it can't even explain the feeling you get when you see the change in a kid," said Herrera.

His next stop is Miami, where he will spend the weekend before heading up the Gulf Coast of Florida on his westward trip home.