Todd Larsen nears end of bike journey for Jared

The Desert Sun • September 3, 2009

It's all downhill from here - and for Todd Larsen that's good news.

Larsen recently entered Virginia, the last state on his cross-country bicycle trip, and has fewer than 600 miles to go.

Though he could not be reached by phone Tuesday, Larsen said via Twitter he is on hilly terrain that is "probably the most difficult and no doubt steepest of my trip."

Larsen, 46, started his journey in June, dipping his wheel into the ocean off the Oregon coast and baptizing his trusty bicycle, which he named Elvis.

On Friday, Larsen said he and Elvis are "still rockin."

"This is totally amazing," he said while in Kentucky. "To see America at 10 mph, sitting right on top of it - it's just something you can't prepare yourself for. It knocks you on the head."

Larsen started the ride along the Trans-America Trail for his 21-year-old nephew, Jared, who lives with muscular dystrophy.

The goal is to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and to help offset Jared's medical costs. So far, the family has reported collecting more than $6,000.

Tim Larsen, Jared's father, spoke to his younger brother Monday just after Larsen rode through the Kentucky side of the Appalachian Mountains.

"He said he was riding on extremely steep road now," Tim Larsen said. "It was so steep the handle bars were flush against his chest, he told me."

Worried about his brother's safety, Tim Larsen began surfing the Internet for blogs of the area and later forwarded a summary of the terrain that mentioned a hellish, steep area.

"I e-mailed him this morning and said, 'I hope you were on that hill already because that means the worst is behind you,'" Tim Larsen said, adding that Larsen replied that he hoped so, too.

Despite the intimidating mountains, the Larsen family is confident he can overcome the hurdles.

"He should be fueled by the enthusiasm of reaching the end," Tim Larsen said. And if that's not enough, officials at Old Town La Quinta hope the Benefit Concert and Welcome Home party will be an added incentive.

"It's a good way to acknowledge what Todd has done," said Leslie Locken, property manager for Old Town La Quinta. "There are so many causes, but this one really touched me because of the homegrown spirit because it's in La Quinta, and because Todd is a big supporter of Old Town."

Other local businesses have jumped on board to help as well, with Xpress Graphics & Printing of Palm Desert donating $750 worth of printing services to cover the benefit's posters, tickets and fliers.

"I just couldn't be happier for Todd and just really (am) excited for the progress he's made, the exposure for Jared and all the money raised for the cause," Locken said. "My heart just goes out to Todd, Jared and the whole family for all they've done to bring awareness to this disease."

The event is set for 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 23, and will feature live music. Proceeds will be split between the Larsen family and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

"When you think about all that he's been through to get this done, you understand the intensity of the love he has for his nephew," she said. "It's very moving."

"It's a good way to acknowledge what Todd has done," said Leslie Locken, property manager for Old Town La Quinta. "There are so many causes, but this one really touched me because of the homegrown spirit because it's in La Quinta, and because Todd is a big supporter of Old Town."

Other local businesses have jumped on board to help as well, with Xpress Graphics & Printing of Palm Desert donating $750 worth of printing services to cover the benefit's posters, tickets and fliers.

"I just couldn't be happier for Todd and just really (am) excited for the progress he's made, the exposure for Jared and all the money raised for the cause," Locken said. "My heart just goes out to Todd, Jared and the whole family for all they've done to bring awareness to this disease."

The event is set for 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 23, and will feature live music. Proceeds will be split between the Larsen family and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

"When you think about all that he's been through to get this done, you understand the intensity of the love he has for his nephew," she said. "It's very moving."