Bicyclist stops in Newport on 10,000-mile nationwide ride

Claudia Figueroa

If you were driving through Newport Beach on Memorial Day and noticed a

determined man riding an unusual-looking, high-tech bicycle, it was

probably Nick Irons.

Although he is not a speed racer--averaging about 20 mph--Irons is

pedaling around the perimeter of the United States for a worthwhile

cause: to seek a cure for multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease of the

central nervous system that afflicted his father when Irons was in his

early teens.

Irons, 28, started his 10,000-mile journey in April in his hometown of

Washington, D.C. Since then, he has pedaled along a route that has taken

him to Tallahassee, Fla.; New Orleans and Shreveport, La.; El Paso and

Phoenix. On Monday, he arrived in Newport Beach and today he will be

heading for Los Angeles, where he will take Highway 1 up the West Coast

to Washington state.

This isn’t the first time Irons has embarked on a high-profile journey.

In 1997, he swam the length of the Mississippi River, completing 1,550

miles in four months. He traveled through 10 states at the rate of five

hours a day, six days a week. “The current helped quite a bit,” he said.

Irons said most people are curious about what motivated him to make the

cross-country bike ride.

He said he decided to devote his time to finding a cure for multiple

sclerosis, which can result in speech defects and loss of muscular

coordination, a few years ago while flying over the Mississippi River

after visiting his parents.

Irons said he decided to swim the length of the river as a gesture of

support for his father and others with the debilitating disease.

The challenge has brought its rewards, he said.

Irons said he met others with multiple sclerosis along the way, and each

person left a profound impression on him.

“I always wanted to do something to help him [his father],” Irons said.

“Even though I can’t help him physically, I can support him emotionally.”

As soon as he completed his trip down the Mississippi River, Irons

started a nonprofit organization called Going the Distance to raise money

for multiple sclerosis research and began preparations for his nationwide

bike ride.

“I’m just keeping the cause alive until we find a cure,” he said.

Irons, who rides an innovative beam-suspension bike manufactured by

Softride Inc., one of his corporate sponsors, raises money through

individual and corporate pledges from companies such as Biogen Inc. and

Coachmen RV.

So far, Irons’ trip has been relatively smooth, with the exception of a

few flat tires. Irons isn’t alone, however. His backup includes two

support vehicles--a Chevrolet Suburban and a Coachmen motor home.

Irons said the biggest challenge he faces on the road is the heat.

“The temperature has averaged about 100 degrees since I left Dallas,” he

said. “The heat takes a lot out of you, and it gets old after a while.

But making this trip is something I feel very passionate about.

Although Irons’ father is his biggest fan, others have come out to thank

him for his contribution to finding a cure.

“I think it’s incredible when people sign up and ride with me part of the

way,” Irons said. “When people with MS come up and thank me for what I’m

doing, it makes it worthwhile. But I’ll feel better about them thanking

me when there’s a cure.”