Pedaling Across America in Honor of My Dad Roger – Living His Dream and His Legacy of Service for Parkinson’s Research. Hi, I'm Dan, Rogers son who is taking up this challenge to honor our dad.

On April 30, 2025, our family lost our dad, Roger — an avid cyclist, a devoted family man, and someone who lived his life in service to others.

Dad was deeply involved in charity throughout his life. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club, Right to Life, Catholic Charities, and his local parish. He regularly raised funds and collected clothing and supplies for St. Bonaventure Navajo Indian School and Mission in Thoreau New Mexico (as shown in the Fund-raising picture by his truck) and he supported United Way causes with his time, energy, and resources. Dad and mom would also make lunch sacks and drive around town and hand them out to the homeless, among many many other charity things. Giving back wasn’t something he did occasionally — it was who he was.

He also lived for the open road on two wheels. Dad dreamed of cycling across America, experiencing the country he loved one pedal stroke at a time. His physicians at the Stanford Movement Disorders Center believed that his many years of dedicated cycling actually helped slow the onset of his Parkinson’s symptoms, giving us extra precious years with him filled with more rides, more laughter, and more memories we hold dear.

But Parkinson’s is a relentless disease. It gradually stole the strength, balance, and steady hands he needed to chase that cross-country dream. In June of 2009 we did our last cycling tour in Italy with our dad, that was the last time he ever rode. On May 13, 2025, we said our final goodbye.

Exactly one year after his memorial service, I’m honoring Dad in the best way I know how: I’m cycling across America myself, starting on May 13, 2026. This ride carries forward both his unfinished dream and his lifelong spirit of service and charity.

Every mile I pedal will be dedicated to raising funds and awareness for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research — the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to finding better treatments and a cure. Just like Dad supported so many causes, this fundraiser continues his legacy of helping others. All donations made through this GoFundMe will go 100% directly to the Michael J. Fox Foundation to support cutting-edge Parkinson’s research, including studies on how exercise like cycling may help slow disease progression.

Our goal is to raise $5,000 through this page and along the route. Whether you can give $5, $25, $50, or more, every dollar brings us closer to a future where no family has to lose someone to Parkinson’s the way we did and so many others did too. One can even give per mile I cycle or elevation I gain. My current route will be from Portland, Maine to SF CA. This ride is 5,150 miles with approximately 220,000 feet of elevation gain. I'll be cycling solo and completely self-contained.

If you can’t donate right now, please share this story. Help spread Dad’s legacy of cycling, charity, and quiet strength so more people can join the fight.

Dad, this ride is for you — every mile, every hill, (and there's a lot) every act of service along the way. You taught me what it means to live with purpose and generosity. I’ll be carrying you, your dreams, and your big heart with me from the starting line on May 13 all the way across America.

Thank you for standing with me on this journey. With love and gratitude, Daniel Roman (and our whole family) ❤️

You can follow me on Strava