Three cyclists hopped on their bikes for a trip through Red Rock Canyon early Sunday morning, but it wasn’t just any ride — it was part of a mission to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease. The three, who each suffer from the disease, are on the Las Vegas leg of a cross-country journey after logging 2,000 miles since leaving Virginia on May 1. Bill Bucklew, 54, of Chicago, Steve Iseman, 58, and Li Jiang, 33, both of Toronto, were joined by riders Pat Donahoo, 66, of Las Vegas, Aiden Woodley, 21, of Chicago and Iseman’s son, Jett, 22, who do not have the disease, on the 31-mile bike trip that included the Red Rock Loop.
Known as The Long Ride for Parkinson’s, the purpose of the grueling trek, on paved and gravel roads, flats and hills, is to raise awareness about the nervous system disorder that usually affects people after age 60, causing limb tremors, problems walking and muscle stiffness, according to the Mayo Clinic . The team, seeking to end their trip in San Diego before July 4, is out to show that having Parkinson’s doesn’t necessarily mean giving up challenging and demanding physical exercise or losing a positive outlook on life. “So we started at the Boardwalk in Virginia and we’re well over 2,000 miles now, across the country,” Bucklew said.
“We’ve been in at least six states and stuck our toe in maybe one or two additional and we’ve seen everything from incredible weather to beautiful vistas to incredible people who have helped us.” .