(WHAS11) - After 65 days and 4,600 miles, a Louisville man is celebrating a major victory.
Despite a respiratory illness and losing his job, Kirk Kandle completed a cross country bike trip recently at the age of 60.
Now he hopes his story of endurance will inspire others.
It's been one long ride and Kirk Kandle couldn't have done it without his campground on wheels.
"An emergency toilet here that consists of a towel and toilet paper," says Kandle.
He inspects every inch of his bike, now repaired after a 4,600 mile journey over 65 days through 10 states.
"The whole bike weighs close to a hundred pounds," says Kandle.
The bike is looking good after such a journey.
Kirk, who is 60, says he feels even better now than before leaving for his trip.
"To prove to myself that starting with short trips we can all get around on a bicycle, running or walking or mass transit and then you can stretch that. And how far can you stretch that envelope well you can stretch that 65 days and end up across the United States," says Kandle.
Kirk says lingering health issues didn't deter him from launching on this multi state mission to raise money and awareness for the American Diabetes Association; an illness his dad suffered from.
"It's one of the ways we can cure diabetes by getting out and staying active," says Kandle.
Along the way he met plenty of gracious people. He also had plenty of near misses with a rock star bus, nearly being run over by a wide load trailer and a hay combine.
"The combines on wide load trailers are zipping up and down the highway at 65 miles an hour and they push a lot of wind. The first time one of those past me oncoming it felt like someone smacked me in the face with a tennis racket," says Kandle.
All for a good cause and feeling better and more inspired than ever.
"It's a long way across this country but it is beautiful,” says Kandle.
