RECORD DAY

Saturday, April 12th, was a record setting day for my unicycling venture.  I rode four (4) parks in one day. I rode the second park with NO stops.  I even completed a full 360 with no problems.  I also completed the tenth park, which put me into double figures and brought me to beyond a 10%  completion rate.  Riding, with no stops, was my best ride so far, but I was also treated to the worst road conditions so far.

The highlights of the day were:
 > witnessing three (3) deer charging from a wooded area right in front of us. I had visions of an "old" unicyclist being broad sided by a running deer.  This was not a pretty picture.
 > taking a break, from riding, to watch a college softball game between Loras College and Central of Pella. ( A former neighbor was playing for Loras, and we were in the area.)
> Upon leaving Pella, we saw two (2) young boys riding their unicycles on the city sidewalks.  It brought a pleasant reaction, and I was inclined to join them
> Enjoying a 83 degree sunny day. (two days later we awoke to a snow covered yard)
> Completing a terrible mile at Margo Frankel Woods without having to resort to using the better roads at the cemetery across the street.

Don't forget to log into our direct link at www.givetoiowa.org/burkey to make a tax free donation.

Thanks for all the support in curing Meneire's Disease one park at a time.

Oskaloosa, Iowa

Not really watching for deer, are you??

Knoxville, Iowa

NO stops or dismounts!  Maybe I'm making progress.

Kellogg, Iowa

The third park in one day!!!!!

10th park! More than10% complete!

NICE ROAD!!!

Odometer Calibration

Pammel State Park in Winterset was the 5th park.  It is one of the oldest state parks in Iowa, and proved to be very challenging.  The riding day weather was very windy, and park's roads were hilly, rough, and filled with large cracks and potholes. At one point, I had difficulty getting started on a steep uphill, after encountering a dismounting pothole.  I walked the hill, mounted the unicycle, and finished the ride. Patty, my head photographer and mileage counter, informed me that the ride was not complete.  In an exhausted state, I asked "why?"  "The hill was 1.5 tenths long, you haven't ridden the committed mile yet."  So to keep things on the up and up, I rode the 1.5 tenths to make things official.  I'm not sure Guinness has been alerted to my endeavor, but Patty is following the rules.  God love her. She has been pedaling her Terra Trike right along with me on this journey.  She has voiced a complaint or two about the hills as well, but I haven't seen her pushing her trike yet.

With a refreshed odometer reading we headed to Big Creek State Park, in Polk City.  The entire ride was on the Neil Smith Bike Trail.  I completed the "full mile," including some hills, with no problems.  After the ride, we ate lunch in the park, and enjoyed a nice leisure bike ride on the trail.  It was a great way to end the week.  With six (6) parks complete, we entered into the 80's.  Only 89 left.

One on Iowa's oldest State parks

Tunnel through main Limestone bluff



Polk City, Iowa



 

Note the "uphill" grade

The Fourth Park - Nine Eagles in Davis City, Iowa

Nine Eagles is a very nice park.  It is located in a very isolated area, with tree lined roads, a lake, and many hills.  The best riding was in the parking lot near the lake's public dock.  The mile consisted of making five plus (5+) loops around the parking area.  The day was very windy, with temps in the low 50's. The ride seemed extremely long, because of the many loops around the lot, and a pesky hill that was a problem with each circuit.







Second and Third Parks

After the humbling experience of my first ride, I was able to complete two (2) parks in the same day.  This was a huge accomplishment and re-instated a lot of confidence in my riding challenge. Both parks surrounded lakes and had nice asphalt roads that passed by the lake, beach, and campground areas.  In spite of the 60 degree temperature, both lakes were still partially frozen.  The open water areas were covered with many ducks, geese, and pelicans.  Both rides went much better then the first one. There were several dismounts, but no unexpected forward rolls. Switching unicycles from a 24 inch wheel to a 20 inch wheel, was a good move.  It allowed for a shorter fall as well.  Two (2) miles in one day seemed like a long way.  Only 92 parks to go.

                           Flying High with Better Form???                           

First Ride - Walnut Woods State Park, West Des Moines, Iowa

My first official ride took place on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day.  I chose this day in hopes that "the luck of the Irish" would help me through.  I also felt that some "Blarney Stone Eloquence" would help me explain things if I failed.  I was a bit surprised when neither were put into action.  My first long unicycle ride in many, many years was a disaster.  I rode less then 100 yards, when I fell hard to Mother Earth.  I cut both hands, one knee, and did a beautiful "full" forward roll.  Patty smiled with relief, when I was able to get up unassisted.  I immediately went to the car for leather gloves, a heavier coat, and anything else that would absorb the falls.  I completed the first mile commitment, after many falls, dismounts, and enduring much pain.  I was exhausted at the end, unable to practice the "eloquence" and wondered what I had gotten myself into.  Patty was very encouraging however, when she made comments about hospitals, broken bones, and medical insurance. She also mentioned that I only had 94 left.

                                                          THE JOURNEY BEGINS!

Note the GREAT form, leather gloves, heavy jacket, and NO helmet!

 

The Reason

I was introduced to Meniere's Disease three (3) years ago.  It is a disabling disease, usually affecting only one (1) ear, and has four (4) common symptoms: Vertigo - a sensation of rapid spinning and dizziness, Tinnitus - a ringing and/or roaring noise in the ear, Aural Fullness - the sensation of pressure or pain in the ear, and Hearing Loss - which changes daily and gets worse over time. The disease has no known cause and there is NO cure. It affects people differently and ranges from mild to disabling. It usually affects those aged 20 to 60, but can affect children and the elderly as well. The symptoms can sometimes be treated with lifetime changes and diet modifications, but may require invasive treatments and/or risky surgeries. These actions help eliminate extreme dizzy episodes and nausea, but other multiple and varying symptoms will continue.

My introduction, to this disease, occurred three (3) years ago when my wife Patty was diagnosed.  Since that time, Patty has gone through many trials, tribulations, and revelations about life and what it all means. She has struggled through diet restrictions (losing much weight), nausea (vomiting for 10-12 hours), extreme dizzy spells (2-3 days a week), incapacitation (bed ridden for days), insomnia, and extreme sensitivity to noise, lights, and  movement.

Since that time, we have visited various doctors, spoken with others who suffer from the disease, and read many articles.  All actions have come to the same conclusion, it is a terrible disabling disease with NO cure.  However, there are three (3) main procedures that help to eliminate the dizziness. These procedures are: Endolymphatic Decompression/ shunt surgery, Gentamycin and/or steroid ear injections, and Vestibular Neurectomy /cutting the balance nerve.  Each procedure is designed to ease the symptoms, and allow the Meniere's sufferer to "get their life back."   And each procedure is more critical and invasive respectfully.

Over the course of the last three (3) years, Patty has had all three (3) procedures done.  Each has helped relieve some issues, but none has eliminated the disease.  There is NO cure! The last procedure, Vestibular Neurectomy, (performed 12-20-13) has allowed her to "get her life back" to some degree.  After many, many countless hours of exercising and therapy, she is once again independent.  Driving a car, walking, attending noisy events, riding her tricycle, and even eating an unrestricted diet have become celebrated events.  She still has many Meniere's symptoms, but has not experienced any dizziness or nausea since.  She is learning to live and be blessed with the other symptoms, knowing that extreme dizzy spells are not likely to re-occur.

Through all this, we have learned that money for Meniere's Disease research is very uncommon. Patty and I are hoping to change this. We have established a research fund, "Burkey's "Vision of Hope" for Meniere's Research" through the University of Iowa Foundation.  Donations can be made online through the direct link: www.givetoiowa.org/burkey 

The Commitment

Several years ago, fifty-three (53) to be exact, I learned to ride a unicycle at the age of eleven (11).  Recently, I realized why.  "Maybe I can use this talent to raise money for something worthwhile???" I am hoping to raise needed "research" dollars for Meniere's Disease, a disabling disease which has deeply affected my wife Patty.

I have made a personal commitment to ride a unicycle one (1) mile in all the designated State Parks in Iowa.  The number has been set at ninety-five (95), which was gathered from State of Iowa listings, the DNR, and other recorded information.  They are located in all corners of the state and will require logging many miles "to and from." Most riding will be done on weekends, so I'm anticipating that it may take two (2) years to complete.

My unicycle has been hanging from the garage rafters, the last forty (40) years, so it may be an interesting venture. I will be posting regular updates, with pictures, to keep everyone informed.

A fund for "Burkey's Vision of Hope" for Meniers's Research has been established through The University of Iowa Foundation. A direct online link www.givetoiowa.org/burkey has been set up to accept your "tax deductible" donation. Your participation is much appreciated.