Austin Edge and Heidi Goheen first met as Kenmore Junior High students, and now in their early 20s, both friends are preparing for the cycling journey of a lifetime.

On June 17, the duo will begin its cross-country trip near Aberdeen and plan to finish the trek in mid-to-late August near Portland, Maine.

The trip is a celebration of the friends’ college graduations and for Edge’s father, Doug, and others who suffer from leukemia. Doug was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia in October of 2009.

Edge, 23, will earn his bachelor of arts degree in community psychology from the University of Washington, and Goheen, 22, will earn her bachelor of arts degree in music (specializing in flute) from Central Washington University.

The Reporter sent the duo a few questions:

Why are you doing this?

We started entertaining the idea of this trip in 2008, as a vague, ‘wouldn’t-that-be-fun’ line of thought. Then, after the events with my father and his diagnosis and treatment of leukemia, we decided to use the tour as an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for leukemia research via the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

What’s the importance of the trip?

This trip is meaningful for us as a way to acknowledge, symbolically, our academic attainment before forwarding onto our future endeavors. In addition to this, the tour itself feels like a milestone, as it is our first cross-country venture, both as a pair and individually.

What’s your training regimen?

Heidi has been going to the gym, doing strength training, as well as spin classes once a week. She has also been practicing Bikram hot yoga to increase cardiovascular strength. Austin has been building upper-body strength throughout the week and riding 30 miles on weekends to increase overall strength and endurance.

To donate and stay up to date on their adventures and happenings, visit http://www.indiegogo.com/dollaramile