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By FOSS FARRAR
Traveler Staff Writer

When he arrived in Arkansas City last weekend, bicyclist Don Boehly had logged 16,368 miles on a "9/11" cross-country tour. He spent the night Sunday at the Town House Motor Inn, thanks to the local Salvation Army. He dined on spaghetti that evening with the crew at the Arkansas City Fire Department.

"This is my 34th state," said Boehly, relaxing at the local Fire Department just before getting back on his bike, about noon Monday, to continue the tour. "From here I go to Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas, then to the New England states."

The last stop of his tour will be New York City. He hopes to arrive there on Sept. 11, the anniversary of the horrible terrorist attacks that felled the Twin Towers in lower Manhattan.

Boehly, from Grayson, Ky., said he is making the tour in honor of the firefighters and police officers who lost their lives on 9/11. In addition, he is honoring soldiers who have been killed in the War in Iraq, in Afghanistan and in other places in the battle against terrorism.

"The idea is to raise funds for fallen heroes," he said.

Boehly said he doesn't accept any donations personally but refers people to his web site, 9-11USA.com, or to their local police or fire departments to contribute to the cause. Links to such charities can be found on a page on his web site entitled "911 Charities & Military Links."

"I take no cash donations, just material donations like shelter," he said. For example, the Salvation Army in Ark City arranged for his lodging at the Town House.

He started the tour in September 2004. Since then, he has visited 188 fire stations on overnight stays. Most recently before arriving in Ark City, he stayed at fire departments in Oklahoma City and Perry, Okla.

"I ate with them and talked with them all night long," he said, adding that he'd also stopped in Ponca City, Okla., before pedaling to Arkansas City.

Nearly every town has welcomed him, Boehly said.

"They love the awareness that they are out there working long and hard at their jobs," he said of the fire departments that welcomed him.

But there have been a few places that didn't extend him a welcome mat. For instance, a police chief in Tennessee promptly escorted him out of town. To make sure he wouldn't come back he lead him three or four hours out of town, in the darkness of the night.

"I'm not a vengeful person," Boehly said, recalling that incident. "I believe in 'love thy enemy.' I just can't believe a person can be that hateful."

In another town in Louisiana, a fire chief who also serves as the police chief told Boehly not to stop in the town but to "just ride on," he said.

Nevertheless, he has received warm welcomes in many other places.

He lives from day to day, usually eating only one meal a day. But when staying somewhere temporarily he does accept a free meal or a small donation to buy a meal.

Though he doesn't try to keep track of donations to his causes -- he trusts individuals to go to his web site or local police and fire departments -- Boehly does call home regularly using a cell phone.

"They (friends at home) tell me I've had over 600 shirts, patches and pens sent home from departments from all over the country," Boehly said. "The dean of a college in Ashland, Kentucky, sent me a letter of appreciation."

Above: Don Boehly stops in Arkansas City on a cross-country cycling tour to honor firefighters and police officers killed in the 9/11 attacks and soldiers killed overseas in the battle against terrorists. He plans to end the tour in New York City on Sept. 11.