Dirk Homeier of Tupelo, who has logged more than 20,000 miles around the country, will be making his way to Natchez early next week in an attempt to set a world record.

What makes this feat unique is that Homeier will be making this trip on a bicycle – non-stop.

Homeier, who was born in Springfield, Ill., and now lives in Tupelo, is making the 450-mile trek to benefit a non-profit religious organization called Young Life.

&uot;The main focus of my trip is to bring greater awareness to Young Life in and around Tupelo,&uot;&160;he said.

Homeier said all the money he raises will be used to send high school students to Young Life summer camps and meetings.

Homeier said the inspiration from his trip came from his upcoming birthday.

&uot;I&160;just wanted to take a nice little trip for my birthday, and my wife told me that it would be a nice idea to pedal the Trace from Nashville to Natchez,&uot; he said. &uot;So, I did some research, and the longest non-stop trip that is on record at the Guiness Book of World Records is 324 miles.&uot;

Homeier has traveled the country on his bicycle. He has been to Miami, San Diego and Chicago among others.

Homeier said that the only stops he will be making will be &uot;bathroom breaks, other than that I’m not even stopping to eat,&uot; he said. &uot;Every 10 miles or so, or whenever I get hungry, I’m just going to radio to my support group to slow down and pass me a plate of pasta, so I’m not even stopping to eat.&uot;

Homeier said the Young Life organization s a &uot;vital organization that builds character and integrity in high school students, which is very important in this day and age.&uot;

Homeier, who is manager of Harvey’s Restaurant in Tupelo, said he has no problem pedaling all night.

&uot;I’m somewhat accustomed to all-nighters. I went through the desert in Arizona a few years ago overnight, and it wasn’t that bad,&uot; he said.

Homeier, who graduated from Florida Christian College in Orlando, said while going to Disney World when he finishes the bike trip would be fun, he has other plans.

&uot;Sleep, sleep, sleep. I’m going to start at about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, and I&160;plan on arriving in Natchez at about 10 a.m. Wednesday morning, so I’m going to go right to sleep when I&160;get there,&uot;&160;he said.