Beyond the pledges and donations, organizers said, support for the ride has come from hundreds of people affiliated with Harvard Clubs, the Oxfam organization, and the churches, community centers, and schools in which the riders have slept and eaten. Money for trip expenses and supplies has come largely from corporate donations and contributions raised through a voluntary fast held in Harvard dining halls in late April.

In addition to the 31 Harvard students and recent graduates, the riders include two Cambridge High School students, two doctors, and one Tufts undergraduate. Driving alongside the group in a van--containing gear, clothing, and other belongings--are two other Harvard students and a minister. All the participants are volunteers.

After bicycling from Detroit on Saturday, the students have been travelling through Ohio for the past two days, stopping overnight in Toledo and Cleveland. Last night found the group in Shaker Heights, a large Cleveland suburb with at least a few people willing to devote both time and money to the "Right for Life" cause.

"It's really something different," said Carol Gibson, who helped organize a dinner for the riders last night at the First Unitarian Church, a Shaker Heights parish of about 600 families. Despite the unique character of the ride Gibson said, "we have done quite a bit for hunger, and it seems to tie in quite nicely with the work of the church."

Gibson explained that doing something for the hunger of the riders was the prime activity at the church last night, as local high school students and others helped serve home-cooked spaghetti with meat, tossed salad, garlic bread, lemonade, vegetables and dip, and--for dessert--some cookies.

The First Unitarian Church and a neighboring parish that contributed to the dinner were contacted about the trip in early June, and have been working on the dinner plans since. But, Gibson cautioned, she did not want to overplay the importance of the church's benevolence.

"I have a feeling that they've had a more formal reception elsewhere," she said.

With 800 miles left to go before reaching Boston--and potentially big fundraising days along the way in Washington, D.C., and New York City--Pallotta said that last night's stop would conclude as many others: Going to bed at 10 p.m., this time in a local school. Wakeup, as usual, was set for today at 6 a.m.

Rest, it seems, is not something the riders can look forward to just yet. "Even though we're getting close to home, the challenge still lies ahead." Pallotta said