FOX44NOW.COM - Burlington/Plattsburgh News, Weather and SportsStanding Cyclist Rides Around Lake To Fight Cancer

Standing Cyclist Rides Around Lake To Fight Cancer

It's not unusual to see cyclists in Plattsburgh.

Many pass through on their way around Lake Champlain.

What you don't see often is a rider like Frank Cavaluzzi who takes cycling seriously, and can never be accused of sitting on the job.

"I started standing about 4 or 5 years ago," he said.

That's when Cavaluzzi, who was an avid cyclist, was diagnosed with asthma and put on several medications which brought his passion to a halt.

Until, he says, he started experimenting with his bike.

Over time, a few miles standing grew into 30, and Cavaluzzi was back in the saddle, sort of speak, only this horse clearly comes without a saddle.

"It's a steel frame and the seat tube's cut off so I guess it keeps me honest," he said.

The Pennsylvania native's latest challenge is to ride 365 miles around Lake Champlain, covering every foot standing up.

"A lot of it is technique.  I have to stay in the exact right spot all the time or I'll get pain, I'll get fatigue," said Cavaluzzi.

Which is why it seems more than appropriate that Cavaluzzi has dedicated this ride to trying to ease the pain of others, by raising money for a group called Stand Up To Cancer.

"A lot of people close to me have been struggling the last couple of years and my mom's a survivor," he said. 

As of Thursday, Cavaluzzi was almost halfway through his trip after a couple of punishing days riding into a headwind which he says is like pushing a sailboat uphill. 

Cavaluzzi knows the sight of a man without a seat is bound to get attention; it's something he's banking on as he remains upright and committed, you could say, to standing up for what he believes in.

You can track Frank Cavaluzzi's trip through standingcyclist.com.

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