Route 66 bike ride concludes in Phoenix to raise Parkinson's disease awareness

Cyclists bike 1,600 miles for Parkinson's cause

As people get ready to celebrate the Route 66 centennial, one group is cycling along the Mother Road for a good cause. FOX 10's Annalisa Pardo has more.

PHOENIX - As people get ready to celebrate the Route 66 centennial, one group is cycling along the Mother Road, all for a good cause. On bikes and dancing, onlookers would not know it, but this crew just finished a 1,600-mile bike ride along Route 66 from Chicago to Phoenix.

What they're saying:

Joyce, a cyclist with the group, noted the powerful bond felt among the participants.

"Every time I'm involved with one of these events, I just get recharged when we band together and see what we can accomplish," Joyce said. "It's a great feeling, you know."

This grueling cross-country ride is not the only feat they are taking on together. Steve, another participant, shared his personal history with the condition.

"I was diagnosed 12 years ago," Steve said. "I was 48 at the time, so it's considered an early onset, and so far I've been able to moderate a lot of the events with cycling."

Joyce also shared details of her own diagnosis, echoing the sentiment that staying active plays a critical role in managing the disease.

"Several years ago, mine is not as severe as some people, but you know, I've been very active physically and that's clearly helped," Joyce said.

Dig deeper:

Most of these bikers have Parkinson's, which is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's, according to the Parkinson's Foundation. By 2030, 1.2 million people are expected to be diagnosed with Parkinson's. This crew is cycling to spread awareness about how exercise can mitigate that diagnosis.

Joyce emphasized that a positive mindset and a strong community are essential for anyone navigating a new diagnosis.

"Parkinson's, it's always hard to get the diagnosis, but you can live the best life possible by trying to be active and really surrounding yourself with positive people," Joyce said.

The cyclists noted that the people found here, and by their side in life, have been the biggest reward, reminding people with Parkinson's and caregivers that they are not alone.

Steve reflected on his early struggles after his diagnosis and urged others to seek out community resources rather than isolating themselves.

"Don't do it alone. I was in hiding for five years. I told almost nobody, friends or family, and it wasn't the right thing to do. The right thing to do, you need support," Steve said. "There is support out there."

What's next:

The crew also ended their ride here in Phoenix to attend the World Parkinson's Congress event starting on Sunday. The event brings together neuroscientists, clinicians, and people with Parkinson's to talk about the latest research and information on the disease.

What you can do:

The group is also accepting donations, not to fund their trip, but to give to four different organizations: the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Parkinson’s Foundation of Canada, the Davis Phinney Foundation, and the World Parkinson’s Coalition, which hosts the World Parkinson Congress and gives stipends to help people attend the event.

To donate, individuals can visit Team Route 66’s page on Driving Toward a Cure.