Wilde Lake High School officials hope a six-day bicycle tour of the Eastern Shore will expose four local students to the state -- and to their potential.

The students are Howard County's first participants in Cycle Across Maryland's sixth annual Teen Challenge Program, which pairs students with mentors to prepare for the six-day, 300-mile tour that begins Friday.

The goal is to increase the students' self-esteem and teach them commitment, said Pat Bernstein, the tour's executive director and founder.

School officials hope those lessons will help the students in the classroom. Students hope they get a free bicycle, a reward for completing training and the tour.

"It's an experience beyond what these kids have had," said Sue Bullock, a counselor at Wilde Lake.

Bullock is Howard County coordinator of Maryland's Tomorrow, a program that pushes students to achieve. Counselors select participants in the program for the teen challenge. Boys and girls TTC from ages 14 to 18 are eligible.

The students will have plenty of company on the tour because about 1,500 people will participate in this year's Carrollton Bank Cycle Across Maryland rally, which finishes July 29 at Sandy Point State Park in Anne Arundel County.

The 10th annual tour will traverse the Eastern Shore, including stops in Assateague Island, Chestertown and Centreville.

Pub Date: 7/20/98