Photo by Matt Kiedaisch -OUTSIDERMEDIA

About Paul  Longhaulpaul  Pelland

Long distance motorcycle rider, writer, inspirational speaker and closet comedian living with Multiple Sclerosis, Paul Pelland is smack dab in the middle of a fantastic adventure, documenting a million mile journey raising awareness, funds and a little hell as he inspires others to continue following their passions and chasing their dreams.

May  2019 Update

• Riding Yamaha Star Venture. Luxury touring motorcycle with a 1900cc V-twin engine
• 365,000 miles documented so far
• 250 presentations to people living with MS, motorsports and other organizations
• Three world records
• Raised $150,000 for research and programs for people living with MS 
• First Yamaha Super Tenere, CURECHASER, on permanate display at Barber Motorsports Museum

Vitals

51 years old, married, father of three, grandfather of one. A closet comedian and semi-professional heckler, he has been called “The one man flash-mob.” Raised in Attleboro, Massachusetts, now lives in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Avid motorcycle enthusiast, riding motorcycles for 30 years, has owned  39+ bikes, and ridden somewhere near 900,000 lifetime miles. A long distance rally competitor with multiple podium finishes including a top ten finish in the famous Iron Butt Rally. Stopped competing in motorcycle endurance rallies in 2003, but continues to ride every day possible regardless of the weather or season. Since beginning this journey, Paul has become a regular columnist for health and motorsport magazines, a nationally recognized MS patient advocate, fundraising organizer, social media influencer and an inspirational speaker presenting at hundreds of audiences across the country. Paul presents at corporate functions, MS patient events, fundraisers and motorcycle rallies.

He also enjoys long walks on the beach.

Diagnosis

Diagnosed in August 2005 with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) after experiencing weakness and loss of dexterity in his hands as well as short term memory and other cognitive problems.  Spasticity, numbness, muscle weakness, fatigue and bladder issues are some of the other symptoms he deals with on a regular basis.  As do many MS patients, his symptoms are greatly increased in the hot weather, or anytime his body temperature increases. He has been on disease modifying medication since diagnosed and it appears to be working by reducing new brain lesions and slowing the disease progression.

Mission

Chasing The Cure includes an odyssey of motorcycle adventures including extreme rides, and attempts at setting a few motorcycle endurance records. To reach out and inspire others who also have been dealt tough challenges in life. To raise national awareness and funds for Multiple Sclerosis.  This million mile mission chronicles the ride, the road, the life, a recorded journey of thousands and thousands of miles, at times pushing man and machine to the limits, driven by a passion, while bringing the message of “finding your own road” to a variety of audiences.  To ride every day possible,  speaking along the way, continuing to tell and sharing his story as it continues to evolves in real time.  To document one million miles riding with MS, for MS.

About MS

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, causing inflammation of the nervous system.  There is no cure, but there are now disease modifying drugs which have proven to slow down the disabling course of the disease. Some common symptoms of the disease are increasing loss of coordination, numbness and muscle weakness.

About Long Distance Riding

Long-distance riding is the pastime of riding motorcycles over long distances in defined times, with a popular target being to cover 1,000 miles in a day. Proper choice of bike, gear, and equipment, as well as planning, are necessary for sucessful trips. The Ironbutt Association has the best “Archives of Wisdom” list of tips for both new and seasoned riders of this sport.

About the Ironbutt Association

The Iron Butt Association (IBA) is an international organization dedicated to safe long-distance motorcycle riding. Boasting  60,000+ members, the IBA holds and certifies long distance motorcycle rides and rallies. The IBA hosts the “Worlds Toughest Motorcycle Competition”, an 11 day, 11,000 mile biannual event called  The Iron Butt Rally. More information can be found here. IBA. The Iron Butt Association, along with hosting the Iron Butt Rally, offers a long list of certifiable rides members can attempt on their own. The full list can be found here.

Paul’s Long Distance Rally/ Notable  History

• 1999 New England 1000 (Saddlesore)  BMW K75rt
• 2000 Buttlite II 7000  BMW K75rt/ Honda CBR1000
• 2000 Feast in the East VI   Yamaha XT600
• 2001 Mason Dixon  36 hours   Ural   DNF
• 2001 Buckeye 1000 Expert Class XT600 Dirtbike  23rd place
• 2001 Ironbutt Rally 11 days, 11,000 mile event on a Ural    86th place
• 2001 Tobacco Road    BMW 1100RT   3rd place
• 2002 Mason Dixon 20-20 36 hrs (rode two-up) BMW 1100RT  20th place
• 2002 Buckeye 1000  BMW 1100RT   2nd place expert class
• 2002 Buttlite III   BMW 1100RT   3rd place
• 2002 Tobacco Road   BMW 1100RT  2nd place
• 2003 Fearless Capital 1000   BMW 1100RT  2nd place
• 2003 Keystone 1000   BMW 1100RT   1st place
• 2003 Ironbutt Rally  11 days, 11,000 miles   BMW 1100RT  9th place
• 2012  100 SaddleSsore 1000  World Record 1000 miles/24 hours on 100 different motorcycles
• 2013 Organized the MS5000 Motorcycle Challenge which has  raised $125,000 for MS Charities
• 2014 Scooter Insanity 1000 Boston to Chicago in under 24hrs on a scooter wearing a powder blue Tuxedo!
• 2016  Big Time Ride second World Record. First person to ride 28 hours in a single calendar day.
• 2016 CURECHASER, My first Yamaha Super Tenere goes on permanent display at Barber Motorsports Museum
• 2017 I finally finish paying off CURECHASER I
• 2018 CURECHASER II Raffled off after 122,000 miles
• 2018 Yamaha announces corporate support, donates Star Venture
• 2019 Third world record for charity; 24 hours nonstop on a Dyno