When Don Boehly, a handyman from Grayson, Ky., saw footage of the destruction at ground zero after Sept. 11, 2001, like many Americans, he had to look away.

"It really hit me," Boehly said. "I had to do something and I'm not the kind of person to just sit at home and send a check."

Having been an active bicyclist for 30 years, 50-year-old Boehly decided to hit the road. He left home on his Diamondback mountain bike Sept. 1, 2004, and plans to visit all 50 states, finishing his route in New York City on Sept. 11, 2006.

The purpose of Boehly's trip is to raise awareness and support for those affected by Sept. 11. Boehly visits the police and fire departments in every city he stops in to commend them for a job well done.

Since he began the trip, Boehly has traveled 9,300 miles and visited 22 states. During that time, he has gone through seven tires, two speedometers, several mirrors and several other parts. The parts he needs, as well as food, lodging, clothing and all other supplies to make the trip possible, are donated by the communities he visits. He refuses cash donations.

The money he raises on his Web site at groups.msn.com/911tour goes to a variety of charities benefiting children who had parents killed in the World Trade Center.

After leaving Kentucky, Boehly has gone from Tennessee to Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota and now, North Dakota.

After making a stop in Fargo, Boehly will tour Minnesota. He travels between 40 and 70 miles a day, depending on weather conditions.

Boehly left behind many friends in Kentucky, but no family. His only family is two sisters in Illinois and Connecticut.

After completing his trip, he plans to return to Kentucky and go back to being a handyman.

Boehly said the smiles on the faces of the people he meets is what makes the long trip worthwhile. He talked about one man in Texas who had lost two children in action in Iraq and cried on his shoulder. "He followed me for the next few days to make sure I was making my trip all right," Boehly said.

Although his bicycle has needed a few repairs, Boehly has made it through the trip with no injuries so far.

"I worry about getting through every day without a scratch and pray I'll be able to do this whole tour from beginning to end," he said.

Even if people do not donate to Boehly's Sept. 11 tour, he encourages everyone to donate to some kind of worthy cause. If nothing else, he said something everyone can do is make an L-shape with their arms when a police officer or firefighter drives by.

"It means keep up the great work," he said.

(Reach reporter Katie Brown at 250-8225 or cops@bismarcktribune.net.)