The Finish Line in Florida
Congratulations to The Doc and Marjie ! Having covered 5500 miles in 55 days with only 5 days off, The Doc pedaled through 2 countries, 4 provinces and 11 states. Pedaling for Prevention, the trip of a lifetime, will hopefully help save and extend the lives of others through greater awareness of how colon cancer is a treatable disease when caught early.
Click here for the latest and last blog entry from on the road.
Updated on August 12th
Dr. John C. McConnell, Pedaling for Prevention of colon cancer, has passed the border into Florida! The journey which began in Fairbanks, Alaska, will end in Key West, Florida. The Doc’s most recent blog entry has an interesting entry on the energy crisis that has plagued America for decades. He writes with the passion of a sage returning from the desert. Having covered the span of two great countries in a manner that forces such close proximity to the land, it is not surprising that an emotional connection to both people and the land would become stronger.
His overview of the energy crisis, and his particular experience, might offer an important lesson for all Americans. Perhaps having discussed the energy crisis for so long we suffer from fatigue, but overcoming with a renewed inspiration to solve this crisis is exactly what America needs to do.
The Doc and Marjie started this journey to help prevent colon cancer, but it would be impossible to make such a journey without learning a lot about people and America. …Another good read from Pedaling for Prevention.
The Update Aug 5th– Pedaling for Prevention
Marjie and The Doc are going through Missouri now. Since geography is a problem for many, the map here should provide a little assistance as to where we are and where the Doc is. In the recent updates from the road, Marjie offers insights from the driver’s seat of the RV. Readers are encouraged to check out the latest posts that include photos from her.
It’s an interesting read to see the two perspectives side by side and note the subtle differences. The Doc, bicycling out on the road, seems to have an acute awareness to the changes in sensory stimulation as they cross the country. He mentions the smell of corn becoming stronger as they head through Missouri, discusses the various road textures, and notes changes in the immediate roadside sceneries. This is probably a combination of being physically out in the elements and having a scientific background.
Marjie, while making sure The Doc doesn’t get run over, has her own experience of the trip. Although driving an RV with your husband following you on a bicycle has its unique challenges, it does provide Marjie an opportunity to capture images and scenes that offer a more reflective nature. Readers should check out the blog at http://www.valleydocride.com/scene.asp to get a first hand narrative from both The Doc and Marjie
Background
As many citizens of Wyckoff know, fellow resident Dr. John C. McConnell is Pedaling for Prevention of colon cancer. The journey began in Fairbanks, Alaska, and will end in Key West, Florida. It’s a 5,500-mile bike ride he hopes to accomplish in 55 days with the help of his wife Marjie who pilots the 23 ft RV that acts as their home on the road. The couple has taken on this challenge to promote awareness of colorectal cancers. Colon cancer, as the brief video below explains, is extremely prevalent and preventable. The survival rate if caught early is over 90%, but usually symptoms only appear in the later stages. This is why it is important, especially for those over the age of 50, to get regular check-ups to prevent the disease.
Readers can follow The Doc and Marjie’s travels at their website and donate to help fight this preventable disease. Visit ValleyDocRide.com
Below is a brief video on colon cancer awareness.
