When faced with tragedy...
You have two options. You can give up and get angry and shake your fists at the world, or you can keep riding. I am choosing the latter. I was hit by a car and paralyzed on a bicycle ride across America, and now I am going to complete my journey. I will start at the collision site in Idaho Falls, ID and ride my handcycle until I hit the Pacific Coast.
A Dream Deferred
On July 13, 2016, I was bicycling with my teammate Anne Davis when we were hit by a distracted driver. I became paralyzed from the chest down, and Anne did not survive her injuries. On this ride, I will finish the journey that was taken from both of us.
How you can help
I could not do this final stretch without help from friends along the way. I've organized the trip so that someone will be riding with me at all times and a second person will be driving a support vehicle to assist when needed (as well as pulling my trailer to camp in every night). Many people have asked what they can do to help get me to the coast, and there are a few things we're looking for!
- We'd love feedback from people who have biked the Lewis and Clark Trail and have routing suggestions!
- If anyone along the route would like to host us for a meal or hangout sesh, we'd be forever grateful.
- Interested in helping out financially? Check out our GoFundMe!
- Please keep your eyes on the road and never drive distracted.
If you're able to help in any way, please email us at collisiontocoast@gmail.com.