Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
Many men in their 70s consider a walk around the block to be adequate exercise. However, Paul Webb, age 72, has decided instead, to ride a bicycle around the continental United States. He has ridden his bicycle not once, not twice, but four complete “laps” around the United States, from California, to Florida, to Maine, to Washington state, then back down to California. Currently in his fifth trek around the U.S., he stopped for a moment in Madison on Friday, Jan. 23, on his way to camp for the night in Lee, next to Lee Town Hall. From there, his route will take him to Jacksonville. Before heading north, he plans to make a side trip south to visit family.
It was during this side trip in Tampa, last March, that something happened that threatened to derail his efforts. While approaching an intersection, he was in the “blind spot” of a car that was also approaching the intersection at approximately five miles per hour. The car struck Webb, causing him to be thrown to the pavement. The collision resulted in Webb sustaining a broken pelvis and broken ribs on his right side. He spent four days in critical care and a total of 16 days in the hospital. After his hospital stay, he faced another month and a half of physical therapy. During this time, he was unable to make contact with the woman driving the car. This incident resulted in a sizable insurance settlement, which Webb donated to the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), the charity for which Webb raises funds during his bicycle trek.
In a move that may surprise those who may not be familiar with Webb, he chose to give $5,000 to the woman who struck him. Webb stated that for many years, he had back pain as a result of a skiing industry injury he had sustained. After the accident in Florida, he said that back pain had suddenly vanished. “I can actually move around better now,” said Webb with a chuckle. “That impact resulted in a ‘positive chiropractic adjustment,’ so I wrote a check for $5,000 for to make up for future chiropractic visits.”
The ordeal in Florida set Webb back several weeks off his schedule. Normally, Webb covers approximately 32 miles every day in order to make it to San Diego, Calif. by mid October of each year. This time frame coincides with major CAF events held annually. However, with the delays he faced last year, Webb had to increase that to over 50 miles per day. Through his determination, Webb was able to get back on schedule and finish the route in time.
It is Webb’s goal to continue his trips around the U.S. until he has completed 12 “laps.” During this time, he continues to raise money for CAF, an organization that provides “adaptive sports equipment, training and community support so they can thrive through fitness and competitive athletics.” So far, Webb has raised over $359,000 for CAF. More information about CAF can be found at www.challengedathletes.org.
After Webb has completed his 12 “laps,” he will be far from stopping. Once he has completed that goal, his plan is to return to teaching skiing and swim competitively in the Senior Olympics. Then, at the age of 100 years old, he plans to make the “Buddha Walk,” from monastery to monastery throughout the country of India. Webb has every confidence that he will accomplish these goals. “After all, I’m pre-disastered,” said Webb.
To follow Webb and to support his efforts, please visit his website at thewebbway.com.