CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- This week, three Evangelical Lutheran ministers wheeling around the state on a bicycle built for three stopped at Rev. Ron Schlak's home church, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran on Kanawha Boulevard.

You might call the tour a trial run for a much larger adventure the trio undertakes next year.

Schlak, Rev. Fred Soltow of Shepherdstown and Rev. David Twedt of Wardensville will ride their three-person bike, which was constructed from bamboo just for them, more than 13,000 miles in 100 days to raise awareness of world hunger and money to fight it.

During their "Tour de Revs," the pastors will take off from Evangelical Lutheran church headquarters in Chicago in May, then pedal through each of the 65 synods in the United States. At each stop, they'll conduct workshops on world hunger. On Sundays, they'll preach in area churches.

They started their 800-mile trial run Monday in Weirton and passed through Wheeling, Parkersburg and Huntington before their Thursday stop in Charleston. They're continuing through the southern part of the state, then up to the Eastern Panhandle and into Maryland, before a scheduled finish in Morgantown on Tuesday.

Twedt is sitting out the trial run because of a family illness, so Soltow's son-in-law, Tony Cottrell of Winston-Salem, N.C., stepped up to take his position at the rear of the bicycle.

The ministers are already generating excitement and funds for the cause. Church members along the tour have made donations, as well as non-church attendees, Schlak said. At one church, a pastor invited some nearby construction workers to quit working and listen to the message.

"They gave us $100," Schlak said. "I've learned that all people want to end world hunger."

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- This week, three Evangelical Lutheran ministers wheeling around the state on a bicycle built for three stopped at Rev. Ron Schlak's home church, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran on Kanawha Boulevard.

You might call the tour a trial run for a much larger adventure the trio undertakes next year.

Schlak, Rev. Fred Soltow of Shepherdstown and Rev. David Twedt of Wardensville will ride their three-person bike, which was constructed from bamboo just for them, more than 13,000 miles in 100 days to raise awareness of world hunger and money to fight it.

During their "Tour de Revs," the pastors will take off from Evangelical Lutheran church headquarters in Chicago in May, then pedal through each of the 65 synods in the United States. At each stop, they'll conduct workshops on world hunger. On Sundays, they'll preach in area churches.

They started their 800-mile trial run Monday in Weirton and passed through Wheeling, Parkersburg and Huntington before their Thursday stop in Charleston. They're continuing through the southern part of the state, then up to the Eastern Panhandle and into Maryland, before a scheduled finish in Morgantown on Tuesday.

Twedt is sitting out the trial run because of a family illness, so Soltow's son-in-law, Tony Cottrell of Winston-Salem, N.C., stepped up to take his position at the rear of the bicycle.

The ministers are already generating excitement and funds for the cause. Church members along the tour have made donations, as well as non-church attendees, Schlak said. At one church, a pastor invited some nearby construction workers to quit working and listen to the message.

"They gave us $100," Schlak said. "I've learned that all people want to end world hunger."

The West Virginia run also gives the trio a chance to get accustomed to the one-of-a-kind bicycle and to each other's riding habits. Soltow, the most experienced rider, rides in the front and controls the steering and the gears of the long bicycle.

"It's a wonderful piece of equipment, but there are some differences. I shift gears up front, and it takes a while before the chain shifts all the way in the back," Soltow said.  "Also, it doesn't steer like a normal bike. You have to turn wide."

"Like a Mack truck," Schlak added.

Craig Calfee, a custom bicycle designer in northern California, created the $10,000 bicycle especially for them. He stays in touch with the trio to work with them on problems as they develop. The Lutheran pension fund covered the bicycle's cost.

The trio and their eye-catching bicycle get attention everywhere they ride, but the pastors redirect that attention toward the desperate cause of world hunger. The tactic works for all audiences, including children. When they presented their proposal to church campers this summer, the children wanted to know how they could help.

"We told them to pass up a Coke or a snack from the machine and give the money toward world hunger relief instead," Schlak said. "They set up big jars and collected $1,500. One little boy told me he didn't buy any pop, candy or gum all week. The kids really caught the vision."

The "Tour de Revs" pastors hope to raise $5 million on their tour next summer. For information on the tour, visit www.tourderevs.org or call (304) 874-3605.

Reach Julie Robinson at jul...@wvgazette.com or 348-1230.