Army Vet Biking Around The World For Charity Stops In Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — An Army veteran serving two tours in Iraq is now on a mission to bike around the world all word a good cause.

Ron Matz has more.

Brian D'Apice, who has also spent time teaching in Thailand, is on a 12,000 mile trip with a passion to help others.

"I was in the army and saw a lot of poverty in Baghdad, I taught English in southeast Asia for the past three years," said D'Apice. "I just realized in all my travels how lucky I was to live in this great country."

And Brian has seen this great country, starting in New York last May.

""It's been amazing," says D'Apice. "I started in New York City last May 4. I went up to Portland, Maine and then crossed the country to Seattle, Washington, came down the coast to San Diego, California, crossed again to Miami, Florida and now  I'm on my way back to New York City, I'm almost finished."

He's in Baltimore now, where the Costas Inn is lending a hand.

"We're just doing a crab feast and a raffle and raising money that way," said Pete Triantafilos,  general manager of the Dundalk Costas Inn. "All the proceeds go to Brian's charities, anything we can do for him, and it's amazing what he's done."

Brian's journey is almost complete. He'll arrive in New York City on April 29.

"The generosity of everyone has been fantastic," D'Apice  said. "People meet me and they want to help. They want to help the cause that's been the deepest story about the whole trip, the human generosity."

Brian is speaking at Sparrows Point High on Thursday night at 7 p.m.

So far, his ride has raised $42,000 for his charities, "Pencils of Promise" and the "National Military Family Association."

If you'd like to help and get more information on Brian's ride Around America, CLICK HERE.