Woman chases 'miracle' recovery with 741-mile bike ride

[Guest guest]

Woman chases 'miracle' recovery with 741-mile bike ride Colorado pair travel

on tricycles for family visit

By JULI PROBASCO-SOWERS <jprobasco@...?subject=Woman chases 'miracle'

recovery with 741-mile bike ride>

REGISTER STAFF WRITER

June 19, 2006

The journey from Greeley, Colo., to ston on a three-wheeled bike has

been more than the sheer effort of pedaling 741 miles for Becky . The

trek for Becky and husband, , has been a celebration.

" There were a few times in Iowa I questioned whether I could finish this

trip, " said Becky, as she sat in her cousin's ston home. " I'm very proud

of us. "

The home of Adele and Ken Mikesell was the journey's destination for Becky,

53, and , 54. Becky is a first cousin to Adele.

The experience is especially sweet for the Colorado couple because just four

years ago Becky was in a wheelchair, the results of reflex sympathetic

dystrophy, a neurological disease that affects the sympathetic nervous

system.

After being in a wheelchair for nearly seven years — and completely

bedridden for part of that time with the disease — Becky's condition began

to spontaneously go into remission. As part of her therapy, her husband

bought recumbent tricycles, which have two wheels in the front, one in the

back, and which place the rider in a near-reclining position.

What began as the couple riding for rehabilitation near their home area of

Lakewood, Colo., ended up a passion. Then, after retired from his job

with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development a few months ago,

they decided they wanted to combine bike riding with traveling.

They chose ston as a destination because there were relatives they

wanted to visit.

" We wanted an adventure, " Becky said. " We had never done anything really

adventurous. After being in a wheelchair for so long, it felt good to do

something so challenging and be able to say, 'I did this.' So for us, this

is a kind of celebration. "

and Becky both said they figure their three adult children thought they

would never actually begin the trip. Then, when the couple did leave on the

bike trip, their kids figured they would call from somewhere on the road for

a rescue.

Other than losing a tent in a storm, one driver annoyed with them for riding

on the pavement and one mean dog that decided to bite Becky at the beginning

of the trip, the ride was quite smooth and enjoyable, the couple said.

" People were so nice and friendly, " Becky said.

The couple met restaurant owners who paid for some meals, people who helped

them get a cycle spoke fixed and hotels that only charged them half-price

for a room.

" I think the tricycles have something to do with that, " said. " They are

subjects of conversations and questions. "

Becky said riding a recumbent cycle is like taking a reclining chair on a

bike ride. " Other than having tired muscles at the end of the ride, you

really don't notice you've been riding, " she said.

Her muscles were particularly tired after riding three days up and down the

hills along Iowa Highway 44.

" We had no idea Iowa was as hilly as it is, " Becky said. " When you visit the

state and drive the interstates you don't see that. "

Another surprise in Iowa was how many miles they had to cover between towns.

" In Nebraska that would be only 10 or 12 miles, but in Iowa we would go as

far as 29 to 30 miles between towns, " said.

But, Becky persevered and the couple pulled into Adele's driveway on June

13.

" We went 741.8 miles exactly, " said Becky, as she rolled her eyes and

smiled. Although they didn't take many photos along the way, Becky took

notes each day of the trip and plans to write an account of their journey.

Their plan is to return to Colorado by car.

Adele has been especially pleased to see her cousin active again. " Before,

when she visited she brought her motorized wheelchair and all kinds of

equipment she needed, " Adele said. " Now it's completely different. It's a

complete miracle. "

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