Next time you need inspiration for riding your bicycle, consider the case of Jimmy Button.
In 2000, the 26-year-old veteran motorcycle racer suffered a paralyzing crash in a practice round at a race course in San Diego. Family and friends were told that he was paralyzed from the neck down and would probably never walk again.
In three months, however, he'll set off for a cross-country bike ride from that race course in San Diego:
“The last time I rode an ambulance out. … But I'm not going to ride an ambulance out of that place this time, I'm going to ride a bicycle, and when we stop it's going to be when we get to Daytona Beach.”
Miles for Miracles
Button is making the cross-country bicycle tour to raise awareness about spinal cord injury and treatment and raise funds for spinal cord injury research through his ride, Miles for Miracles Today.
Button and two others — his trainer and rehabilitation specialist Cory Worf, and Joe Ingallinera, a doctor of internal medicine — will set off on Feb. 20, 2011, for the 2,428-mile bike tour. They plan to average about 60 miles per day.
They've already found some corporate sponsors, including Sette Bikes, and they're looking for corporate and individual donations to raise $1 million from the bike ride. Those who would like to ride for a day when them can register make a donation.
Road to Recovery
Button has done a lot to help other motocross riders who have suffered spinal cord injuries. With Bob Moore and Bob Walker he co-founded Road to Recovery, a nonprofit that seeks assist motocross and supercross riders who suffer career-ending injuries.
Button never was expected to be able to make such a bike ride. He had pinched his spinal cord in the C2 to C6 region of his neck. The doctors said he would be lucky if he was ever able to walk. According to the website, after months of rehabilitation he became one of the fortunate few who ever recover from these types of injuries.
Button says that after a few months of rehab and “some really good luck,” he was able to start moving his hands a little bit and eventually his arms and legs. After a year of a extensive and exhaustive rehab, he was able to start walking on his own.
Spin bike
When Button decided to make the cross-country ride for Miles for Miracles Today, he hadn't been on a bicycle in more than 10 years.
“My first day I pulled my old spin bike out of the closet. I jumped on the spin bike and I could do 15 minutes. At 15 minutes it's going to take a long time to get across the US.”
He kept at it until he could pedal for an hour. Then he started riding a road bike on a trainer, and finally started riding outside.
Tall order
In a video put together for sponsor Sette Bicycles, fellow motocross racer Jeremy McGrath said:
“A year ago he wasn't even interested in riding a bicycle. So it's pretty neat for him to have a goal, and this ride across country is pretty awesome. I mean it's a big, tall order but if anyone can do it I think he can.”
We will certainly be pulling for him.
Check the Miracle for Miles Today website to learn how to join part of the ride or donate.
Also, VeloNews editor Ben Delaney wrote a piece about Button's ride.
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