PITTSFIELD, Vt.—A Vermont man planning to ride in a 508-mile bicycle race in California is taking the long way to the starting line. He’s pedaling there.

Joe Desena, 39, says he is leaving Monday on his 3,000-mile trip west, which is expected to take about two weeks. He’s planning to be in the field on Oct. 4 for the Furnace Creek 508, which goes from Santa Clarita, Calif., to Twentynine Palms.