The American Lung Association held the 42nd annual Clean Air Challenge fundraiser last weekend. Donations are still coming in, but as of this morning, they’ve raised more than $277,000.
The American Lung Association works on a range of issues related to lung health. This includes helping people stop smoking, advocating for clean air initiatives, and teaching kids about lung health.
The Clean Air Challenge is a range of bike rides of varying lengths. Bikers started at the Talkeetna Alaska Lodge. They chose the distance they wanted to ride, from 10 to 100 miles. The Lung Association provided volunteer drivers in “sag wagons” to take riders back to the starting point if they chose.
The sag wagons were busy this year. Long-time riders and volunteers said it was the coldest ride in recent memory. The temperature was in the high 30s at the start. A slow-and-steady rain fell until about 11 a.m.
Our reporter attempted the 100-mile route.
He didn’t make it.
He almost quit at the 30-mile mark. He could barely feel his toes. The rain was slowing down by then, so he traded his sopping-wet socks for a fresh, dry pair. A kind volunteer handed out plastic bags to help keep riders’ feet dry and warm.
The biggest hills were in the next leg of the ride. The headwinds picked up and made things even more challenging.
Our reporter was thinking about quitting again by the time he got to the 50-mile mark. That was the turn-around point. A cup of soup revived him. The route was mostly downhill. And the wind would be at his back from now on.
Research shows that riding downhill is easier than riding uphill—especially with the wind at your back.
Our reporter’s knees started complaining around the 70-mile mark, so he called it quits.
According to the American Lung Association website, over 35 million Americans suffered from chronic lung diseases in 2023. You can contribute to the American Lung Association at cycleforair.lung.org.
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This Page Two article was reported by David Cheezem and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Image credit: Our reporter David Cheezem