A cyclist's 10,000-mile trek for multiple sclerosis ends in father's embrace

Nick Irons is greeted by his father, John, after completing a bike trek around the United States to raise money and awareness to battle multiple sclerosis

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- After 10,000 miles cycling around the perimeter of the continental United States, you can say that Nick Irons has laid it all on the line for his dad.

Irons rode his bicycle to the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, finishing a nearly five-month-long bike trek to raise money for multiple sclerosis research in honor of his father, Dr. John Irons, who for 20 years has suffered from the debilitating disorder of the central nervous system.

"It's really easy to feel helpless with this disease just watching someone you love go downhill," Irons said in explaining why he undertook the ride. "There are some drugs out there, but there's not a cure."

The bike ride was the second long-distance feat that the 28-year-old Irons has undertaken to battle multiple sclerosis. In 1997, Nick swam the Mississippi River from Minneapolis to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, raising more than $200,000 for his effort.

"What I'm feeling is an absolute feeling of confidence that I can basically do anything," the younger Irons told well-wishers and reporters Tuesday in Washington. "Three years ago, I swam the Mississippi, now I just finished a 10,000-mile bike ride around the United States, and I know that we will find a cure for MS that's the next step in those three."

Irons gave his father, who needs help walking, just a gentle embrace, but the emotion of the moment had a powerful grip on both. As family and friends looked on, some fought back tears.

Irons finished his 10,000-mile, nearly five-month-long bike ride in Washington on Tuesday

Irons, of Rockville, Maryland, said he averaged 75 miles a day on the bike trip, beginning the first leg in Arlington, Virginia, on April 3. He was joined in segments of 200 to 500 miles by other riders, ranging in age from 7 years old to 74.

His mother, Connie Irons, said her son raised $600,000 in contributions from the bike trek and another $200,000 for MS with his Mississippi River swim. A black-tie gala is in the works to raise more money.

Nick Irons has said his goal is to raise $3 million.

His bicycle route took him through 29 states and 40 cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, New York and Philadelphia.

Multiple sclerosis is the most common chronic neurological condition affecting young adults in North America and Europe. Symptoms can include paralysis, difficulty walking, balance and vision loss.

More than 10,000 new cases of MS are diagnosed each year. More than 350,000 suffer from the disease in the United States and an estimated 1.5 million have MS worldwide.

CNN Correspondent Brad Wright and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Multiple Sclerosis - Going The Distance for MS Research.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation

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