Endless Road Tour – 2013

The first full year of the Endless Road Tour has been ridden hard and put away wet.  As I write this I’m within a few hundred miles of the 50,000 mile mark of the million mile goal, and I cannot help but think it was a good year.

I know I’m behind in predicted miles, but 50,000 miles is 5% of the way.   Between the growing number of followers and supporters of my journey, and the hundreds of MS patients I have had the privilege of  sharing my story and words of encouragement to; I’d rate interest pretty high!

 

Two different makers of MS medications have invited me to share my story to patients across the east, and had it not been for that damn Polar Vortex fiasco in November, I would have made it out west! I was able to speak at dozens of events last year from Atlanta to Brooklyn to Bangor. I was involved in a national broadcasted patient event that was streamed live on the web and to audiences at over 100 locations across the country. It  turned out to be the largest live event of it’s type for introducing any type of medication, in history!

My story was featured in a few more magazines, I wrote a couple of articles for Iron Butt Magazine, and I have yet to be fired from my regular column in ABILITY Magazine. My website audience is growing, over 120,000 hits just this January! I presented my seminar at Americade in New York, at the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days in Ohio, and out in Minnesota for Aerostich’s 30th Anniversary Rally. Lots of bookings for this year too.

Although I was unable to attempt breaking the 31,000 mile in 31 day world record in April as I had wanted, thanks to riders across the country and Canada, the MS5000 fundraiser raised $23,000 for the National MS Society!

The rules have changed this year, riders need to reach 5000 points by combining miles and dollars raised, so one can be a finisher without having to ride all 5000 miles. This year, I have set the goal at $50,000. Did I mention REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN?

If you ride, please strongly consider entering the MS5000, if you don’t ride, please support someone who is. This is the only fundraiser I run. My hope is that someday it gets enough participation to be an officially promoted  fundraiser for the National MS Society like Walk MS and Bike MS. Just like last year, 100% of money raised goes directly to the MS Society.

Yesterday, The Endless Road Tour was just an idea. Today, it has become my life. Tomorrow, it will become my career and play a major part in treating and managing the symptoms of my disease.

Every time I share my story, whether it be in front of a group of MS patients looking for hope or encouragement, or in front of 100 motorcyclists wondering what kind of idiot rides an antiquated Russian Motorcycle in “The World’s Toughest Motorcycle Rally”, I never leave without knowing that I have informed, entertained or encouraged someone to renew an old passion or find a brand new one. I truly feel I am making a difference and I will forever be thankful to both the pharmaceutical companies and motorcycle event coordinators who have given my voice a megaphone.

I’m on bike #2 of this journey, a Yamaha Super Tenere I bought new at the end of March. I’ve put 30,000 miles on it and it has broken in nicely, not a single complaint with it, and glad I bought it. The accessories from Twisted Throttle and Bill Mayer Saddles have personalized the bike for me, and the support from Bridgestone Tires is one I often forget to mention, but going through five sets of tires this year  would have been one big donut hole in my wallet. Gracias.
So many others have helped along the way as well, I can’t help be proud of the cooling system prototype I tested and then published about, looks like it is taking off and heading for production, possibly this year. Cool, and glad I could help.

In April, I switched to a new platform  therapy for Multiple Sclerosis. I shouldn’t have to explain the joy of no longer injecting on a daily basis. Today, because of research, we have 10 disease modifying medications that slow the progression and help reduce the number of lesions caused by MS to the nervous systems. My drug of choice today is a pill.

I have been rewarded greatly this past year.  Riding, writing and reaching out has been therapy for my disease. The power of living, riding every day possible and loving every part of the journey so far has been miraculous for treating my MS. I have seen no progression of my disease this year. It has to be the riding. I am riding into remission, I am riding for my life.

I tell my audiences, “When I ride my motorcycle, I don’t have MS.”

This is not a cliché, not anymore for me. I am gathering proof. And, I have a Doctor’s note. A real Doctor, and a real prescription. To ride my motorcycle. You’ll see.

I am working on a brand new seminar and it will premiere  at the Americade Rally in June, you might want to check out.

MotoMedicine: Riding For Medicinal Purposes

Watch for it.

It was one hell of a first year.

The only thing I didn’t do last year was wash my bike. Seriously.

Hey 2014,

Bring it on!

Longhaulpaul

Any day you can ride is a good day.

 

 

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