A recent ISU graduate will incorporate his love of travel and performance art into a fundraiser that will take him across the country.

This summer, Honors student Jesse Shumaker’s goal is to raise $1.75 million for the Shriners Hospital for Children by biking 4,700 miles.

Jesse and six other participants, including his 14-year-old brother, Morgan, start their journey in Astoria, Ore. June 5 and plan to arrive in Boston, Mass. on Aug. 15, Jesse said. They will be accompanied by two other bikers for half of the distance.

“I like to travel a lot, and I like to bike and meet new people. We also get to help a good cause,” Jesse said. “Basically, this trip is a culmination of everything.”

The 72-day bike ride will take them through 17 states. Jesse said he anticipates a number of challenges along the way. He said the trek through Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Tetons and Niagara Falls could be difficult.

Despite the distance in front of him, Jesse is optimistic. “This will be the trip of a lifetime,” he said.

The group plans to bike an average of 67 miles a day to meet their goal. They will camp along the way. Each night, the group will put on a street performance to raise money for Shriners Hospital.

Jesse said each group member has his own talent. Jesse’s specialty is juggling, and the other group talents range from magic to comedy. He said he had the idea of biking across the country in the back of his mind for a long time. When Jesse realized how much planning was involved for a trip of such magnitude, he decided to make it a fundraising event for his required senior Honors project.

Jesse’s former neighbor is associated with Shriners. Jesse said he gave him the idea of raising money for the hospital.

Shriners is a network of hospitals in the United States that provides free health care for children who suffer from orthopedic, burn or spinal cord injuries, according to Jesse’s Web site, www.roadshowusa.org.

Jesse said the group will personally deliver their donation to Shriners Hospital during their last stop in Boston. This trip comes as no surprise to those who know Jesse.

“Jesse has always been driven to do things,” said David Shumaker, his father.

Jesse said he can trace his love of adventure back to an early age when he began racing bikes. He continued his hobby the summer before his freshman year in college, when he participated in RAGBRAI.

David said his son has gone on every RAGBRAI since then and last year he completed part of the trip on his unicycle.

Jesse was the president of the unicycling and juggling club at ISU until he graduated in May. He juggles balls, clubs, knives and torches. He said he hopes his talent will pay off during his fundraising performances during the trip.

“Usually my juggling attracts a lot of attention,” Jesse said.

Jesse said he is looking forward to the trip.

“[It] will be a good release. It has been a hectic year, and this has required a lot of planning. I can’t wait to start,” he said.

He said he encourages everyone to participate in his adventure.

“People should come out and see the show. Everybody will have a chance because we’re biking across Iowa during RAGBRAI,” he said.

RAGBRAI begins on June 20 and ends on June 26.

A full travel itinerary, photographs and a travel journal can be found on Jesse’s Web site at www.roadshowusa.org.

Donations can also be made on the Web site.

After the trip, Jesse said he plans to return home to Omaha, Neb., where he will pursue a job related to his degree in management information systems.

His father said he is optimistic about Jesse’s future.

“Whenever he sets a goal, he always strives to finish it,” David said.