BYU students riding for a cause

PROVO — They aren't experts on long-distance cycling, they don't pedal

particularly fast, and until last week, most of them didn't even own a

bicycle. But that's no reason, say four BYU students who want to raise

money for medical research, not to embark on a 2,600-mile bike trek.

"It will hurt a little bit," said Chris Rains, a 22-year-old business

major from California. "But I think it will be worth it in the end."

Rains, along with friends Shaun Garff, Chandler Haueter and Parry

Garff, began the charity bike ride "EBTrek08" Monday with a "quick"

trip from Provo to Salt Lake City. During the next six weeks, the men

will make their way through Idaho, Washington, Oregon and California.

With just a few months of training on a stationary bike under his belt,

Rains said cycling 50 to 100 miles a day may be "a bit ambitious." It's

not as ambitious, though, as the students' plan to raise $100,000 to

fund research for epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic disorder.

The skin disease, which is characterized by burn-like infection and

blistering, can cause fusing of the fingers, deformities and in some

cases, death. An affected person lacks the fibers needed to hold skin

layers together, so everyday friction can result in open wounds.

"This disease is incredibly sad and painful to see," said Shaun Garff,

23, who is studying exercise science. "A handshake, a bump, a hug will

just tear these kids' skin right off."

Shaun Garff has dreamed of organizing the bike ride since he