Eastbayri.com

EAST BAY — Always a bit of an adrenaline junkie, which is a far cry from his staid occupation as an assistant golf club professional, Tiverton native Devin Beck is about to embark on what would have to be considered the journey of a lifetime for most of us.

Beck, 23, plans on making a solo cross-country bike ride for charity. The 2006 Tiverton High School grad, a member of the Tigers’ first-ever state championship golf team that same spring, is attempting to raise money and awareness for the work being done around the world by the non-profit organization Executives Without Borders (EWB).

Beck, a 2010 graduate of Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C., was inspired to undertake the trek by his college roommate and North Dartmouth, Mass. native, Jeff Pelletier. Pelletier resigned his position as an assistant pro at the famed The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., to take up a career with EWB, which targets poverty-ravaged places like Haiti, Sudan and Honduras.

One of the efforts EWB conducts is a recycling program in the areas where it works called “From Trash to Cash,” which encourages citizens to rid their communities of tainted plastics. The benefits of the program are two-fold. People earn money while assisting in the process of reducing infectious diseases like cholera that often run rampant in both waterways and water supply.

“I have three months off every winter, and I asked myself how could I help these people who live in such miserable conditions?” said Beck, who graduated college with a degree in Professional Golf Management and is currently a member of head pro Troy Pare’s staff at the noted Wannamoisett Country Club in the Rumford section of East Providence.

“I’ve always wanted to tour the country, and I saw an article about a cross-country bike trip,” Beck continued. “I also wanted to raise money and I didn’t just want to ask people for a hand-out, especially with the way the economy is. Actions speak louder than words. And I’ve always had an adventurous side, so I figured why not do it this way.”

Beck frankly describes himself as a novice biker. He purchased a higher-end vehicle a few years ago, but used the machine to casually putter around the beach-front areas of his hometown and neighboring Little Compton.

He has increased his actual road work to about 40-45 miles each ride in an attempt to get himself fit for the trip ahead. He also purchased an adaptive device, which makes his bike stationary and allows him to use it in his apartment most nights for a couple of hours to further his training.

“I’ve got my bike, my sleeping bag and we’ll see what happens,” said Beck, who is the son of East Providence native Don Beck, the long-time head golf professional at the Acoaxet Club in Westport, Mass., before retiring in 2009.

Beck the younger begins his journey, appropriately enough, from the home of the World Golf Hall of Fame in St.Augustine, Fla., on Jan. 11. He estimates it will take him six to eight weeks to reach his final destination of San Diego, Calif.

“Depending on if there are weather or bike issues and God knows what else, I think I can do it in six weeks. But I have three months, so I’m in no rush,” said Beck.

Beck’s fund-raising goal started at a modest $2,000, but he has already reached that figure and has now increased his aim to $5,000.

“I always been aware that we have it pretty good, but people in other countries, especially in place like Haiti after the earthquake (in January of 2010), are living in such terrible conditions. They’ve been living in tents for what, like two years? I’m only going to be living in one for about six weeks. I figured the least I could do was try to raise some money to help out,” Beck said.

Beck has little trepidation about his upcoming quest, though some of those close to him aren’t quite as comfortable with him riding alone coast to coast.

“I’ve always wanted to travel the country, but I didn’t expect it to be this way,” he explained. “I would say about a third of the people think I’m crazy, a third are envious because it’s something they would like to do and about of the same amount like it because I’m doing good for other people.

“But I guess most people think I’m crazy. But like I said, I’ve always kind of had an adventurous side. I have the time off and the will to do it. When it comes down to it, it’s for charity and about doing something good for the environment.”

Beck has titled his trip, “Biking Across America.” New and social media play a critical role in his fund-raising efforts.Those interested in donating to the cause can do so at

http://www.crowdrise.com/BikingAcrossAmerica/fundraiser/DevinBeck

Those who would like to follow his journey can do so at

http://becksbikestrip.blogspot.com

In addition, Beck in on Twitter at @golferdevo3 and can be reached via email at devinbeck1@gmail.com.