Getting into Gear
Kyle was overwhelmed with uncertainty when it came time to take his tricycle out, but the brave adventurer powered on – seeking not only comfort and familiarity in doing so, but reclaiming a sense of freedom he hadn’t experienced in a long time. His determination paid off; Kyle fell head over wheels for cycling again!
“My first ride was seven miles—seven miles! I was so proud of myself; I had no idea I had that in me,” Kyle exclaims. His push was so strong that within four months of his very first ride, he went for a century ride and finished one hundred miles in a single day.
“I can’t even walk down the street, and I just rode 100 miles in a day,” Kyle thought that day.
After Kyle conquered his first century ride, he set out on an even bigger endeavor – a 2,500 mile journey over 59 days with his father. Their mission to make it from San Diego to Memphis for the National Ataxia Foundation proved more than just ambitious – their incredible success was an inspiration and sparked courage in those affected by FA.
“I was receiving emails and texts that my actions are helping other people in their lives to confront their challenges – it was really exciting, and we knew we had to keep going,” says Kyle.
In 2007, driven by his love for the FA community, Kyle launched rideATAXIA – a national campaign of bike rides to bring attention and money towards Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA). Then in 2010 he upped the ante when he entered himself into Race Across America with an all-star team called FARA. In just 8 days and 8 hours they crossed that finish line.
“During the race lots of people from FA community came out to meet us along the way, they drove for hours just to see us for like five minutes – that’s what pushed us to finish this race. This was a huge personal accomplishment, but even more, it was an accomplishment for FA community.” Kyle states.
