Brenham has seen its share of cross-country travelers on a mission to raise public awareness for a certain cause.
Few, however, have had not only a mission but others join them along the way.
Aaron Roux is one of those people. Roux is currently on a cross-country handbike ride from Ocean Beach, Calif., to St. Augustine, Fla.
Roux, from Tuscon, Ariz., is a medically retired lance corporal Marine who experienced a spinal cord injury leaving him a quadriplegic. He began his journey 42 days ago, as a member of the “Trans American Quad” team. He was inspired by Rick Mason of Davis, Calif., who organized the event, and now provides logistical support for the ride.
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“I’m doing it to provide awareness to the public about having a disability,” he said, also noting the trip was to promote the positive effects both mentally and physically of a lifetime of exercise and competition for quadriplegics.
When Mason had to withdraw from the trip, Roux chose to ride with physical trainer, Jeff Thomas of Rodchester, N.Y. His father, Leonard Roux of Illinois, drives a support vehicle to help with handbike repairs and other issues that may arise.
Roux made a stop at Camp For All Thursday night to rest before continuing his trip.
There he met Houston handcycling group Turning Point, who decided to join him on part of his ride. One rider, Leslie Johnston, is handcycling with the group and training for the MS 150.
“There’s 40 or 50 miles of the MS 150 that’ll be hard,” he said.
Roux said he is planning on getting the trip done by March. Throughout the trip though, he said the experience he’s had have been wonderful.
“The support I have and meeting the people is what is making the trip what it is,” he said.
Those interested in reading more about Roux’s journey can visit www.transamericanquads.com, which features cycling thoughts and his blog linked to the site, giving a day-by-day account of the journey.
By MELISSA McCAGHREN/Staff Writer
