At 6:30 a.m. on January 2, Gene Connor pushed off into the 30 degree morning rush hour on his bicycle and took the first ride of the year. A year in which he plans to raise at least $10,000 for the American Cancer Society.

In the past two years Connor, a resident of Northport, has watched three of his five siblings battle with cancer, lost a colleague to the disease, and seen too many of his friends' families deal with the diagnosis. In response, the amateur cyclist has pledged to ride 2,000 miles to raise $10,000 for the American Cancer Society's mission to eliminate cancer. And he's off to an impressive start.

Even before he took his first pedal, he was almost 30 percent of the way toward his goal with more than $2,900 in pledges already received.

"I couldn't sit by and simply offer my love and support any more. I had to do something concrete to help," he said. Connor, who was raised in an Army family, called upon his background as an "Army brat" to name his campaign; and Connor's Army was born.

He is quick to note that he's "no Lance Armstrong" and his family doesn't have the resources for him to take an extended period off from his job to pursue his 2,000 mile goal. So instead, the teacher at Syosset High School will use his bicycle to commute 25 miles round trip to work. He plans to log at least 2,000 miles between January 1 and December 31.

He'll finish off the campaign with a Victory Ride on January 1, 2008 in which other riders can join him as he cycles from Northport to Syosset and back again. "I know it'll be cold then," he said, "but I figure if the Polar Bear Club can swim on New Year's Day we can cycle ... especially for such an important cause."

His ambitious mission to raise $10,000 for the American Cancer Society is already well underway thanks to supporters and sponsors like Coinland (www.Coinland.com), Now What (www.NowWhatCoaching.com), Adams Cyclery (www.AdamsCyclery.com), Island Silkscreen, and Richcorp Computer Services (www.RichcorpCS.com).

Those interested in enlisting in Connor's Army by making a pledge, sponsoring Gene, or joining the Victory Ride can log onto the campaign's website at www.ConnorsArmy.org or call 631-261-1598. Pledges can also be sent to PO Box 196, Northport NY 11768 and all checks should be made payable to the American Cancer Society.