Help Mike B ride across the country!

In the fall of 2022, Mike was diagnosed with an inherited retina disease named Retinitis Pigmentosa. Mike was having strange symptoms such as light flashes, starry vision and trouble tracking. He was glad he finally had an explanation for all his symptoms, and recently learned that the disease stems from a mutation in one single gene called cep78. Mike is unaware of any biological genetics due to his (very thankful) adoption at birth. His condition is stable at the moment, but noticeably worse over the last few years.

There is no known treatment for the disease and the genetic mutation is a unique case. There is hope for a potential gene replacement therapy one day but it does not yet exist. He is receiving a retinal surgery consultation soon, but doctors are skeptical it will help. The disease will slowly and surely continue to degrade the rod and cone cells in his retina and loss of sight is imminent.

After much soul searching and considering the condition at hand, Mike decided to quit dreaming and get busy turning his life around. He is, as of this date, 217 days no alcohol, lost 20 pounds, and vastly improved his mental health and well being. His dream is to do 3 "epics" in the next three years and incorporate his passion for adventure photojournalism.

In the summer of 2024, he is going to bicycle tour the TransAmerica Trail from Yorktown, VA back to his home-base of Bend, OR. The trip will be approximately 4,200 miles and take three months. The trip will be many adventurous things but he hopes its an opportunity to meet people along the way, see and learn more about the country he wants to love more and tell those stories using his Canon camera.

Mike is raising money to support this trip. He needs money for gear, bike upgrades, lodging, incidentals and lots and lots of food along the way.

Mike is too busy training for this bike ride to feel sorry for himself and earnestly asks you not either. He is in high spirits and completely committed to this mission.

Please help support Mike see his dreams become reality while he is still able. Thank you for your support!