How did Patrick Cornell manage to ride 1,000 miles a day for 125 days straight?
Let’s be honest—most of us feel accomplished after a long weekend road trip. Patrick Cornell? He decided to ride 1,000 miles every single day for 125 days, crossing all 48 contiguous states. That’s not a typo. The man rode over 125,000 miles in just over four months, all to raise awareness for myotonic dystrophy, a rare and devastating genetic disease. And he didn’t just finish—he kept going, clocking more than 135,000 miles and counting.
So, how did he pull off this marathon on two wheels? It comes down to grit, planning, and a motorcycle built for the long haul. Patrick, a 60-year-old Navy vet, retired firefighter, and 9/11 first responder, isn’t new to tough challenges. But this ride was personal: myotonic dystrophy has haunted his wife Janice’s family for generations. For Patrick, every mile was a way to fight back.
What makes myotonic dystrophy so serious—and why is awareness so important?
Myotonic dystrophy (DM) isn’t just a mouthful—it’s a progressive, inherited neuromuscular disease that hits families hard. It can affect the heart, lungs, muscles, and even the brain. Janice, Patrick’s wife, has lost loved ones to DM, and many in her family rely on pacemakers just to keep their hearts beating. The disease is rare, often misunderstood, and underfunded when it comes to research.
That’s why Patrick’s ride matters. According to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation, DM is the most common form of adult-onset muscular dystrophy, yet it’s still largely invisible to the public. By riding across the country and sharing his story, Patrick is putting a face—and a whole lot of miles—on a disease that desperately needs more attention and funding.
How did Patrick’s Indian Pursuit motorcycle hold up—and what modifications made the difference?
Riding 1,000 miles a day isn’t just about willpower. You need a machine that can take the punishment. Indian Motorcycles donated a 2025 Indian Pursuit for the journey, and Patrick didn’t leave it stock. He added an auxiliary fuel tank, letting him go 400 miles between stops instead of 200. That’s a game-changer when every minute counts.
He also installed a farkle bar (think of it as a dashboard for gadgets), custom hydration and cooling tanks, and a seat built just for him by Russell Delong. For those who’ve never spent 16 hours a day in the saddle, trust me: the right seat is the difference between “I can do this” and “never again.” He even added a Wild Ass seat cushion to keep things comfortable and dry, rain or shine.
On the tech side, Patrick runs Waze, a radar detector, and communication gear right from his handlebars. His setup is less “biker outlaw” and more “rolling command center.” The result? Pure magic. He describes it as “sitting in my La-Z-Boy, watching the National Geographic channel all day long.”
What kind of maintenance does a 135,000-mile ride really require?
You’d expect a trip like this to destroy a bike, but Patrick’s Indian Pursuit has held up surprisingly well. Over 135,000 miles, he’s gone through 11 rear tires and 9 fronts—though three broken rims didn’t help. The big repairs? A new stator at 100,000 miles and a replacement fuel pump. Otherwise, it’s been mostly proactive maintenance: brakes, forks, and regular checkups at Indian dealerships across the country.
It’s a testament not just to the bike, but to the importance of staying ahead of problems. Patrick’s approach—servicing the rear one day, the front the next—kept him rolling when lesser prep would have left him stranded.
What were the hardest and most rewarding moments on the road?
Not every day was a postcard. On day 73, Patrick broke his collarbone and was forced off the bike for five days. That meant making up 5,000 miles to stay on track. Twisty mountain roads became a lot more challenging with a busted shoulder, but he powered through.
The highlights? For Patrick, it’s the ever-changing beauty of America. He raves about SR-20, the North Cascades Highway in Washington—mountains, lakes, forests, all more stunning than he remembered. “The beauty of this country is so jaw-dropping,” he says. “If people just took the time to not have a destination. Just go out and look.”
And when he finally hit 125,000 miles in 125 days? Relief, pride, and a new challenge: for every day the fundraiser brings in $1,000, he’ll ride another 1,000 miles. As of now, he’s at 135,000 miles, but the fundraising goal of $125,000 is still out of reach—sitting at $73,000.
How can you support Patrick’s mission and the fight against myotonic dystrophy?
Patrick’s ride isn’t about personal glory. It’s about families like his wife’s, living with DM every day. Donations are still open, with every dollar going to research and patient support through the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation. You can follow his journey on Facebook (Vroom Old Man – Indian 125+ for Myotonic) and donate directly through the MDF’s fundraising page.
The big takeaway? Raising awareness—and hope—for rare diseases like myotonic dystrophy isn’t about perfection or superhuman feats. It’s about showing up, making smarter adjustments, and refusing to quit. Start with one act of support this week, and you’ll likely spot the difference by month’s end.