This week, I had the opportunity to meet a group of teenagers who are spending six weeks of their summer bicycling across the United States.

The teens, who are from Connecticut, Virginia, New York, Illinois, Colorado and Massachusetts, began their 3,000-mile journey on June 22 near Savannah, Ga. The trip will end at the beginning of August, in Santa Monica, Calif.

I find it amazing that these teens have the will power to complete this coast-to-coast cycling challenge, but even more astonishing is their attitude toward the adventure.

When I was talking to the group of 13 young adults I did not hear one complaint about the 80 miles that the group members cycle each day. None of the teens complained about sleeping outdoors in state parks either.

Instead of complaints I heard statements of thankfulness for the four days off that the group members will enjoy together during the trip and the churches that will open their doors to allow the teenagers to enjoy a night inside.

After meeting the cyclists, I researched the summer adventure program that is hosting the cross-country trip. Overland, which also offers hiking and service challenges, is designed not only to challenge the strength and endurance of its young participants but to give them opportunities to build character.

Throughout the 3,000-mile trip, the group will be required to travel together, camp together, prepare meals together, eat together and spend free time together.

In order to further build teamwork, group members are not allowed to purchase their own food or drinks throughout the trip. All meals and snack items are purchased by the group and shared among the group members.

According to the Overland website, "the American Challenge is all about the group succeeding, about the group getting the miles done, about the group enjoying the highs together and sticking together through the lows."

Operating in this fashion and sharing every moment of the six-week trip with a dozen individuals who you have never met prior to the trip must require a lot of patience and self-sacrifice. I admire these teens for accepting this challenge and keeping a positive attitude throughout the journey.

Taking on this type of task would likely be would impossible for most of us, due to physical or financial reasons, but we could all follow these young adults' examples and incorporate more patience, selflessness and positive attitudes into our journeys through life.