Mission Control

Sorry for the long gap in updates.

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August 21, 2026

Maiden Rock to Lacrosse, WI

 

After completing a 90-mile riding day, I returned to the hotel, showered, and settled onto the sofa expecting a quiet evening of recovery. Instead, everything changed.

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I began feeling strange and told Diane that something wasn’t right. Within moments, I became unresponsive. Diane immediately called EMS, and an outstanding emergency medical team arrived and began treating me.

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What followed was a frightening and confusing sequence of events. My heart repeatedly went into dangerous rhythms and stopped. The EMS team had to resuscitate and shock me multiple times during the trip to the hospital and after arriving in the emergency department. Each shock revived me to consciousness and was like a stop motion event from my perspective. From a void to an unfamiliar scene. I remember the events very clearly. In the ER, when I returned, I said “This is not my day to die” surprising the entire group. One of the doctors said “what did you say” and I responded, “I will not die today!”

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At one point, the medical team was trying different approaches to stabilize my heart while closely monitoring the rhythm. Fatigued by the struggle to live, I said you must do something different. I can’t keep doing this. I could hear the doctors discussing theories and what to do next. There was debate about what was happening and how to respond.

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I heard one doctor say that we needed to administer a particular beta blocker.Another responded, “But his pulse is already low.” Someone else said, “He’s an athlete. He rode 90 miles today. His pulse is always low.” I said, “Give me the beta blocker. I respond well to beta blockers.” I heard Diane say, “You must give him the beta blocker. He can’t take much more of this.” One doctor advised against it, but they ultimately agreed to try.“Please,” I said. “I can’t keep doing this.” The beta blocker drip was started. We all stared at the screen. Normal sinus rhythm. “I feel weird,” I said.

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There was a chaotic blip on the monitor. Then it returned to sinus rhythm and stability was established. The doctor said, "You are the luckiest man in Wisconsin. You rode on remote trails today, you rode 90 miles, you made it to Lacrosse with cardiac care and you survived 8 defib shocks. We've never seen that here."  Indeed, I am, without doubt a lucky man.

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The emergency responders and hospital staff worked together remarkably well. Their experience, coordination, and determination ultimately stabilized me and gave the doctors an opportunity to determine what was happening. I spent the next five days in the ICU undergoing extensive testing, including an MRI and cardiac procedures. The medical team eventually determined that stents were advisable in two arteries. I needed a pacemaker/defibrillator, which was implanted before I was released. An interesting fact is that my healthy heart and low base heart rate had masked any symptoms of distress or occlusions. No pain or symptoms until I felt “weird.”

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The experience was obviously a major interruption to the ride, but it also provided a profound reminder of how quickly circumstances can change—even after what seemed like an ordinary day on the bike. I am incredibly grateful to Diane, the EMS team, the doctors, nurses, technicians, and everyone at the hospital who cared for me. Their professionalism and determination made an enormous difference. I am also grateful to my private team of house sitters, healers, shaman and practitioners of all sorts.

 

The Blaine to Maine ride may have taken an unexpected detour, but the journey isn’t over. It has been a success in so many ways. We have reached hundreds of people with the message about ALS. Spoken to many who have been touched by the disease and given a spark of hope. We have raised funds for research and care all while experiencing the people and environments of 6 different States.

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Sometimes the road asks you to stop. This was one of those times. And I’m damn glad to still be here. Diane and I are recovering in a hotel in Lacrosse, WI until we figure out our plan to return home.

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