Four Maryland college students are hoping to make a difference, one pedal at a time. In a mere 2 1/2 weeks, they have completed one-third of their 3,500-mile trek across the northern tier of the United States to promote a healthier lifestyle.

Their cycling landed them in Williston this week.” Myself and three other students are doing a cross-country cycling expedition to encourage people to quit smoking cigarettes,” said Spencer Case, 23, of Hudson, Ohio, who attend Washington College in Chester Town, Md.

The theme of the excursion is “Ride for the Future.”

“We have a pledge that people have signed along the way that says: If we can ride across the country, you can quit smoking cigarettes,” Case explained.

The group set out June 28 in Anacortes, Wash., and has finished about 1,200 miles to date. “We average about 80 miles per day,” Case said Monday. “We've made a lot of progress. We've had three days off. We ride for five days and then take the six day off as a rest day. Then we do maintenance. We are targeting to get to Chester Town, Md. on the of Aug. 16 or 17.”

Their aim is to complete the entire trip in 50 days. “Class starts on Aug. 27. As long as we're there for the first day, that's OK with us,” Case said.

They've already had their share of adventures along the way.

“We've had at least 12 flat tires between four riders, and a broken spoke. We're learning a lot, but the odds are not in our favor,” he said with a laugh. “We're definitely devoted to making it all of the way. The support driver helps a lot, and we are confident we will complete the expedition.”

“We have four riders and one driver who travels with the equipment, mainly the camping gear. For the most part, they are roughing it. “We've been camping every night of the week. Occasionally, we'll get a good deal at a hotel,” Case continued.

“We've had one close call. A truck almost took us out, but I don't think it was intentional. It was too close for comfort.”

They have not encountered any wild animals, even through Montana. “The most excitement we had was riding through a city in Washington, there was a Rottweiler tried to bite us,” Case recalled. “We are very familiar with the North Dakota mosquito.”

The group is not affiliated with any national organization, but is spreading the anti-smoking message.

“This is an independent expedition that we designed last November that is completely independent of any professional expedition. It's just the four of us, and we're calling it a service expedition,” Case said.

Their main mode of making their point is through one-on-one interaction with the people they meet.

Case is personally familiar with how difficult quitting smoking can be. When asked, he said he hopes he can be a role model to other young people contemplating quitting the habit.

“I used to smoke cigarettes. I know the strength and control that a nicotine addiction can have over people and families and friends.

“It's very important to me because nicotine is a very powerful substance. I quit in 2003, and I haven't had a cigarette since. It's just mind over matter,” he said. “That's how we feel about this cycling trip too. There's always a way.

“At any age, regardless of how much you smoke or how strong you are as a person, you're not going to quit until you're ready to quit.”

As one can imagine, pedaling 1,200 miles to date takes a lot of fuel and water.

“We all eat an absurd amount of food, and we keep losing weight. I've lost at least 10 pounds, and that's without dieting.

Each rider goes through a liter of water per hour to keep hydrated, averaging at least 8 liters per day when traveling.

“If people choose to, we have a link on our web site, where they can donate directly to the American Lung Association,” Case said.

To follow their progress, check: www.rideforthefuture.org