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New Philadelphia man will begin trip in honor of twin with Parkinson's

By Cheryl Powell
Beacon Journal medical writer

Published on Monday, Jun 15, 2009

Scott Luikart is really going the distance for his twin brother.

The 46-year-old ultra-distance cyclist from New Philadelphia is embarking this week on a cross-country journey to raise money for Parkinson's disease research.

His twin brother and fellow avid cyclist, Mark, was diagnosed last year with the incurable neurological condition.

Mark will serve as crew chief as Scott rides coast to coast to raise money for research at the Cleveland Clinic into whether assisted cycling can improve Parkinson's disease symptoms.

''It's just fascinating to me that the sport that I love could have benefits to help people with the disease that I have,'' Mark said.

Team Luikart's goal is to raise $250,000 through Scott's participation in the grueling Race Across America, or RAAM.

Scott's journey starts Wednesday in Oceanside, Calif.

He must pedal 3,021 miles across the country to Annapolis, Md., within 12 days to be considered an official finisher. (That's an average of 252 miles a day.)

During his trek, he'll cross 14 states, travel through deserts and climb more than 100,000 feet through hills and mountains.

He plans to ride for an average of 20 hours a day.

''I've simulated it,'' he said. ''I've ridden about 12,000 miles over the last seven months.''

Mark will lead an eight-person crew that will follow Scott in three vehicles, including a small motor home where Scott will shower and rest.

The crew will post regular updates about Scott's progress on the team's Web site — http://www.scottsbigride.com — and through Twitter and Facebook.

Scott is paying for the estimated $20,000 to $25,000 worth of travel, equipment and other costs.

''One hundred percent of the money that is being raised goes to research,'' Scott said.

For information or to donate, visit http://www.scottsbigride.com or http://www.lerner.ccf.org/giving/ or call Alicia Hoose at 216-444-1821. Donations also can be mailed to the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, P.O. Box 93517, Cleveland, OH 44101. Include ''RAAM'' in the memo line.

Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or chpowell@thebeaconjournal.com.

Scott Luikart is really going the distance for his twin brother.

Get the full article here.


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Posted 02:09 PM, 06/15/2009


Best wishes for success, on the experience of a lifetime. Be safe!


Slovensko
Canton, OH

Posted 06:44 PM, 06/15/2009

Props to the Quaker. . .
















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