Jim Perkins with his bike and trailer.At this month’s First Wednesday program, to be held at the church on March 4, 2020, at 5:30 pm, Jim Perkins will be describe in words and pictures his three bike rides across America. Steven, son of Jim and Sherry Perkins, has a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism. Jim bicycled solo across the country three times to help increase awareness and understanding of this condition. He met and talked with hundreds of people on the course of his rides, and he will share some of those experiences.
Jim rode alone on all the trips. Sherry (with dog Sandy) drove the route on the first two trips, carrying his gear and meeting up with him each night at camp. On the third trip he rode solo and self-supported, using a bike trailer to carry his tent and gear.
The first trip followed the TransAmerica Route from Yorktown, Virginia, to Astoria, Oregon, in 2009. The second trip was in the Northern Tier Route from Anacortes, Washington, to Bar Harbor, Maine, in 2010. And the third trip was along the Southern Tier Route from San Diego, California, to St. Augustine, Florida, in 2011. [See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventure_Cycling_Route_Network for more information on these routes.—Ed.]
Though the purpose of these trips was to increase awareness of Asperger Syndrome, Jim met many very interesting people with great stories of their own. The scenery was breathtaking since all the routes were on back-country roads.
A meal of soup and bread will be provided after his presentation.