We're Linda and Andy Johnson, from Cazenovia, New York. What began as a blog about a bike ride has become a story about our ride through life, trying to overcome a disease that has had a huge impact on us and on many of our friends.

Our journey began in 2007, when Kyle Bryant originated the idea of Ride Ataxia - riding his three-wheeled cycle from San Diego to the annual National Ataxia Foundation meeting in Memphis. It took two months to get there, and in the process he raised $40,000 to fund Ataxia research and he raised awareness of the disease like no one has before. Well he rode to the annual meeting again in 2008 and we joined him! We left from Sacramento and arrived in Las Vegas two weeks and 650 miles later.

You see Linda also has Friedreich's Ataxia. This inherited disease causes the nerves of the body to deteriorate. Linda (and Kyle) can still walk at this point, but it's getting much more difficult. In addition, speech gets slurred, finger dexterity suffers, and other serious complications can develop as time goes on.

The good thing is that research is more promising than ever! Several drugs are going through trials at this time, with other significant research taking place as you read this. There has never been a better time to contribute to this research! Let's cure this disease - for Linda, for the rest of the Ride Ataxia team, and for all of the others afflicted with this disease!

Enjoy our blog! Feel free to write to us any time. Check out the links in the right column below to read more about the disease and our adventures. And if nothing else, be sure to take the seven minutes to watch FARA's video - we couldn't say it better ourselves.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Day 4 - Madera to Fresno, CA

Linda writes:

Stayed at the Holiday Inn Express last night. It was awesome. We gathered at 10:00 for our short ride today - "only" 25 miles.


This took us to the Outback Steak House in Fresno, where they hosted a nice lunch for the entire team. Andy brought his bike to a local bike shop to get the crank bearings replaced and repacked (they did the job during the afternoon and we picked it up at closing time). It rides smoother, and hopefully the suspicious snapping will be gone - not sure yet though.

We're staying at the People's Church in Fresno tonight, sleeping on the floor of the auditorium. Not as comfy as a fancy hotel, but the price is right! Another fine dinner done here by the SAG crew. Leftovers! Our favorite! Chicken, beans, potato salad, salad, italian bread, lasagna, cookies, and more.


Posted at 12:11 AM

4 comments:

  1. We are watching everyday! You are doing great. Love the 5th wheel. Mom and Dad
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  2. Thanks for not bragging about the weather today. It is snowing back here as I write this....

    Keep up the great work. Rest that knee as much as you can Andy.

    The elevation profile of your ride is a pretty interesting view (not to mention a bit daunting if you look out a few days....). We look forward to you blog updates and the map updates every day.

    Jeff & Mags
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  3. Hi I hope your getting a lot of pictures. I want to see your ride when you get home. Love you lots Kelly
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  4. the Hot tub was .. HOT & the pool was ... ICE - sounds good to me!
    sPINNER
    ReplyDelete

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