|PIC1|Award-winning Word Records recording artist Mark Schultz recently completed the 3,500 mile "Across America" benefit bicycle ride. Beginning 7 May, he finished his journey almost two months later at the Atlantic Ocean on Friday 6 July.

More than $250,000 was raised to benefit orphans and widows through the Family Christian Stores James Fund. The ride also generated a documentary and new music to be featured in Schultz's Broken & Beautiful Expanded Edition CD/DVD releasing 25 September.

After travelling 84 miles on his first day, Schultz's longest ride came near the end of the adventure. Riding 200 miles between Canandaigua and Rotterdam in New York, he completed the journey six days early.

"Wow! I didn't know I could do this," exclaims Schultz after reaching the Atlantic. "To ride across the country on a bike is something, but the real accomplishment here is what happens to lives as children and widows receive the benefit of the monies raised.

"I can't thank enough the people that have supported me throughout this journey, from my crew on the road, to the people at the James Fund, the sponsors, all the encouraging souls I have met along the way and especially my wife and the orphans who gave me the courage to do this. I could not have done this without them."

In addition to riding his bike, Schultz also stopped along the way to perform concerts featuring music from his acclaimed, best-selling album, Broken & Beautiful.

The new expanded edition will further feature a 'Mark Schultz Across America' documentary of this never-before-done artist bike trek, as well as Schultz's 'Everything To Me' concept video.