Page 19 - ABILITY Magazine - Avril Lavigne Issue

Back at the hotel in Jacksonville, I jumped in a cab to join some New England friends for dinner at a place called Clark’s Fish Camp. I tried some new things and met some interesting creatures. I love restaurants with visual menus. It was quite the curious place, and I can’t wait to go back next year.
I could have ordered a llama wrap but decided to go completely nuts. Something told me I just had to order the local brew. The appetizer I ordered, however, was all me. Just between you and me, bison testicles are absolutely delicious.
The next evening was the IBA banquet with great food, fun discussions and a chance to see old friends. I handed out lots of flyers for my new fundraiser—the Silhouette 500.
After a week on the road, it unfortunately was also time for a reality check. While discussing the routes for home, someone always has to spoil dessert with the weather forecast.
For me and other riders from the New England area, we would be riding the entire way through a storm of cold air and rain until it turned to snow in the north. This was a problem. Three of us decided to ride together early the next morning and try to make New Hampshire before the snow hit. Racing Mother Nature and Father Time is not for the faint of heart! It was very close.
It was also one of the wettest rides ever; the temperature
dropped with each state we crossed, but we made it home safely in 22 hours, 1200 miles and mere hours before the snow started.
Daytona by way of Dallas was not a bad start to the rid- ing season and with two feet of snow still on the ground when I got back home, I realized how lucky I am to continue doing what I am passionate about every single day. In a weird sort of way, I am grateful I have MS. It is the catalyst that has given my life a real pur- pose, pushes me to explore, take risks and achieve the seemingly impossible.
Sometimes when life seems overwhelming and tough, we all need a little reminder to embrace challenges, to take the bison by the horns, or the balls, and to never stop chasing those dreams.
by Longhaulpaul
Because of my success in Dallas, I have been asked to share my story with more audiences across the country. As you read this, I will have embarked on an epic month-long solo motorcycle ride for MS from New England with stops in Las Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and yes, Anchorage! The Wheels out West for MS Tour will be 30 days of raising aware- ness and funds while reaching out to others, encouraging them to find their road as well.
Follow my journey through my posts, tweets and track me live. longhaulpaul.com
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