We're Linda and Andy Johnson, from Cazenovia, New York. We've recently embarked on an exciting journey. Last year 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 this year and we joined him! For this trip, we left from Sacramento on March 15 and arrived in Las Vegas on March 27.

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! We met up with many of them again when we got to Las Vegas, where we heard the latest news from the researchers. Let's give them the funds they need to solve this problem once and for all!

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 or to find out more about the ride. And please... it's not too late to Help Find the Cure!


Sunday, March 23, 2008

Day 9 - Tehachapi to Boron, CA

Linda writes:

No rest for the weary. We thought going downhill would be easy, but with a very strong headwind, the windmills were spinning faster than we were!


50 miles later, 6 hours, a bit of windburn, and we were relaxing in front of our motel!

The Boron motel ... words cannot describe ...

Statistics:
Miles - 49.1 miles
Speed - 10.8 miles/hour
Cycling duration: 9:00 - 2:57
Road kill - pretty slim pickins' lately - just one phonograph player. Hoping for more action over the next couple of days!
Flat tires - 0 for the whole team!

5 comments:

Mom and Dad J. said...

Sorry to hear that the wind was in your face. Need plenty of sun block and lip balm...
Looks like a real up beat Motel.
Rooad kill seems to be slowing down, less truckers??
Your pictures are all great and you are so impressive, steel legs.
School day after to-morrow, thank God...
Not really, had a fun game with Kelly this am.
Love you guys,
Mom and Dad J

Mom and Dad S said...

Cool motel. Don't see that kind any more. Mmmmmm. I know it's great going downhill, but just like when we hiked, we always had to go up again to reach the top!!!!You are doing great. Love you all. Mom and Dad S

Anonymous said...

Hey Linda and Andy

Miss you all! You're doing great and you're almost there! We're thinking of you back here in Martinez, CA. Keep up the great riding!

Angela

Anonymous said...

Those winds should be at your back today. Enjoy the ride!

Al M

Anonymous said...

That was that we(ANDY) adjusted the clip -on peddels!
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