ROAD RECALCULATED
From a very, very, old book-
“It was 180 miles to Damascus, and ordinarily it would take men on horseback about seven days to make it. But Saul was in a passion and he would have none of the ordinary pace; both men and horses drove themselves to the breaking point. High noon that day they were riding wildly when suddenly a light brighter than the sun fell upon them. Their horses screamed in fear, rose in the air, and Saul was dashed, blind, to the ground.”
My Road Recalculated story began on a motorcycle ride home to New Hampshire from Hagerstown, Maryland. I was splattered in the face with a June-bug of awakening, but unlike the story of St. Paul, I had no desire or chance for sainthood. (I also did not fall off my bike)
However, at 44 years old I finally found my calling, my purpose in life.
A man with MS…
A motorcyle…
A million miles…
Any questions?
“I once was told a cure for MS was a million miles away,
so I figured I would just go get it and bring it back.” - Longhaulpaul 2012
My name is Paul Pelland and my life’s road has been recalculated. I made a decision that day that will change my life. I decided to share and chronical my life long passion of long distance motorcycle riding, and for the first time, openly discussing and dealing with the everyday challenges brought on by having the disabling diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. I plan to share all of it, including my long distance rides, my record attempts, my triumphs and also my defeats. Everything from choosing and building the perfect machine, choosing, modifying, and mounting highly specialized equipment, to choosing and planning each and every trip, endurance event, or record setting attempt. Every ride, every road, every mile. Please join me, climb aboard my bike, trip with me, and support my long term mission of riding one million miles with MS, for MS. Through my blog Mile Posts, we can discuss the challenges, work on solutions, agree, argue, smile, frown, giggle, cry, and mostly laugh together.
My mission is riding the Endless Road Tour, an odyssey of motorcycle adventures including endurance rallies, extreme rides, and attempts at setting a few motorcycle endurance records. My goal is to raise awareness of MS, while reaching out to others along the way who also have been dealt tough challenges in life; helping them recalculate their life’s road. The Endless Road Tour chronicles the ride, the road, the life, a recorded journey of thousands and thousands of miles, at times pushing man and machine to the limits, driven by a passion, bringing the message of “finding your own road” to others with Multiple Sclerosis. Every day of every week, across the country there are events sponsored by MS organizations and pharmaceutical companies for MS patients, caregivers and professionals. There are hundreds of fundraising events as well. I will ride every day possible, with MS, for MS, travelling and speaking along the way as an MS patient advocate, telling and sharing my story as it continues to evolves in real time.
Through this mission, I hope to entertain, but also to encourage and empower others to continue chasing their dreams and goals; and to never stop pursuing their passion, whatever it may be. No matter how big the potholes are in the road ahead, there is always a way around them. For a few, the road is straight and easy, but most of us encounter some dirt, gravel, mud, rain, wind, snow, hail, detours, u-turns, and even a few dead ends. Those of us that have been dealt physical or cognitive challenges in the poker hand of life, have to plug a little harder, dig a little deeper, detour a little further, but we too can find a way to succeed. The trump card is to never stop trying, just keep on recalculating.
Those who are skeptical of what I may be able to accomplish should read my story of the amazing 11 day 11,000 mile Ironbutt Rally, and my unstoppable desire to cross the finish line while riding what would equate to a Ford Model T (No offense, Henry), entering the Indy 500. Not a single soul on earth thought I would make it, not even the bike’s manufacturer. Although the main antagonist then was clearly the machine, and now will be more the man, my passion, my drive, and my ability to adapt, improvise, and overcome no matter what, is now even stronger.
There are MILLIONS of miles of roads on this earth, each and every one of them intersected with crossroads representing different paths, and therefore not all of us are supposed to take the fastest route. Slow down, recalculate, reroute, detour, wander or shift, because a round-about can still get you to your destination, and believe me, sometimes that ride, that journey, that side trip adventure, will become just as important as your destination. Improvise, adapt, re- invent, do whatever is needed to keep going, just keep travelling in the direction of your goal, because you will eventually find a way to get there. It is amazing what you can accomplish once you decide you will not stop trying!
Together, we will each find our own road.
Peace,
Longhaulpaul
Any day you can ride is a good day!
ONE MILLION MILES
The Mission is to ride One Million MS miles……………. There are so many places to go, so many things to see, where shall I start?
100 SADDLES-Sore 1000 September 29th, 2012 I set a world record by riding 1000 miles in under 24 hours, on 100 different motorcycles. The event was my first fundraiser for the National MS Society.
In 2013 I plan on attempting one of the biggest rides of my Endless Road Tour, I will attempt to break the current long distance record of 31,000 miles in 31 days to raise awareness and a fundraiser for the National MS Society as well.
The Endless Road Tour will include riding to various MS events, conferences, and support group meetings across the country. If you would like me to appear at your MS related event, please contact me! In addition to setting world records, the Endless Road Tour ‘s preliminary itinerary of extreme rides will include:
Bunburner 1500- Ride 1500 miles in under 36 hours
Saddlesore 2000- Ride 2000 miles in under 48 hours
Saddlesore 3000- Ride 3000 miles in under 72 hours
Saddlesore 5000- Ride 5000 miles in under five days
Bunburner Gold- Ride 1500 miles in under 24 hours
Bunburner Gold 3000- Ride 3000 miles in under 48 hours
Ten/10ths- Ride ten consequtive 1000 mile days, 10,000 miles in ten days
100K Club- Ride 100,000 miles in 12 months
50 cc- Coast to coast in 50 hours or less – 2014
100 ccc- Coast to coast to coast in 100 hours
48-10- Visit all 48 states in under 10 days
48 plus- All 48 states plus Alaska in unde 10 days
Border to Border Insanity- Mexico-USA-Canada in under 24 hours
Ultimate Coast to Coast- Cross North America from Key West, Florida to Deadhorse, Alaska in 30 days or less
Great Lakes- Ride around the “Great Lakes” in under 100 hours
Great Lakes Gold- Ride around the “Great Lakes” in under 50 hours
Lake Michigan 1000- 24 Hours around Lake Michigan (North America)
Lake Huron 1000- 24 Hours around Lake Huron (North America)
Lake Superior 1000- 24 Hours around Lake Superior (North America)
Lower Great Lakes 1000- 24 Hours around Lake Ontario and Erie (North America)
P.S. When I do hit the one million MS mile mark, I will probably take a week or two off, wash the bikes, then start planning my next mission:
To become the first person with MS to ride a motorcycle in space!
What could go wrong?
Awesome.
Wow, one million miles, and to think I gave up riding to pursue other interest. Well let me tell you after riding for twenty years and 100,000 miles and not so much as a scratch, it was no fun being in the ER at 1:00am having a 5/0 treble hook removed from my thumb!
Good Luck Paul, See you on the road!
My name is Kimiya and I am from Vallejo, Ca. I am a female rider and I am also diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I am currently organizing a motorcycle run to raise funds to donate to MS research. I salute your efforts and you have my support. I will be checking on you.
Congrats on doing the fund raiser! Awesome to hear you are riding with MS also. Any day we can ride is a good day!
Peace!
Longhaulpaul
If you’re in central CT – call & we’ll get together for a ride!
Best of Luck & keep publishing your travel tales. Makes me laugh & smile!
PC
Way cool Paul
Paul,
I’m in 100%. Looking forward to seeing you later this week. Let’s make plans!
Great to have you back !!
Great work so far Paul, anything you need in the MA/NH area give me a shout. Be happy to help you out anyway I can.
Cheers
Andy
Paul, great to see you in FL.
Maybe now the lists will not be so boring!
Looking forward to following your quest.
While I’ve never met you, I applaud your efforts. We have another friend with MS and he’s attacking life with vigor as well.
Paul — I missed meeting you at the pizza party, but I will look forward to following your adventure!
Ray King
Hi Paul, anyone with the initials PP can’t be all bad. Good luck in your quest
Good on you…Seriously…
I think what you are doing with your diagnosis is absolutely amazing.
I think what you are doing with a motorcycle is absolutely unbelievable.
I think what you are doing for others with MS is absolutely great.
I think you are off your rocker, and that is why I am signing up for your blog!
The word “proud” doesn’t even come close. If anyone can do this it is most definitely you! Site looks great. Way to go!
We are so proud to call you our brother…..So Proud.
Best wishes on your journey.
Thank you for the support of the Team Lyle Rally in Plymouth MA. It was an honor to meet you.
I wish we could have talked longer.
See you on the road.
It has been a true pleasure working with you and getting to know you and your crazy no off button sense of humor. Thanks for letting me in the closet before you were ready to go public – honored. Way to recalculate.
To publically share such a private battle takes a lot of courage. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know your quirky sense of humor and your passion for riding over the past two years. I know how important riding is to you and hope you succeed in what you’re trying to accomplish. TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!
So happy to support you on your journey! Best of luck to you in all your travels!
Great job Paul, what an inspiration to many! If your travels bring you to Northern Maine (doubtful) please stop in to see us in Fort Kent!
Way to go Paul! Awesome! If ever passing through Ojai Ca, shoot us an email. You’re welcome to stop by for a rest ( if you ever rest). We’re right off the 150. Keep up the great work, I’m sure you’re an inspiration to more people than you’ll ever know.
Paul… This is fantastic to see your story. My son who will be 48 in December, also has MS. He is a PGA Club Pro, eighteen years ago while playing a tournament, he fell face down and could not get up. He gives himself an injection every other day and is still playing golf and rides dirt bikes. He played two weeks ago in a local tournament and shot 68, still on his game.
Congratulations on your new challenge Paul, great stuff, I know you will accomplish your mission. I will look forward to following along in your written word. Consider yourself bookmarked on the toolbar. I am sure you will inspire many to not give up to adversity. May your travels be plenty and your troubles be few.
Paul this is a ride only you could dream up, and a ride only You could do!
Best,
Rock
God be with you.
we’re rooting for you, paul! be safe & have fun.
You are ‘Da MAN! Pulling for you, mah brudder!
I’m keeping an eye on you Paul. Lemmee know how I can help.
Aikens – the watcher.
Best of luck tomorrow and throughout your tour, Paul ! ….
Glad to see you again Paul, even if it is only online, Best of luck with your quest and stay safe, we are all pulling for you.
Way to inspire SO many people! Am awaiting blogs and updates….
Congratulations on your ride! Loved reading your tweets. Can’t wait to read your report.
Very Inspirational Paul!
Look forward to meeting you someday, we already have a small connection; I’m an IBA member, long ride enthusiast and did a bunch of welding on the Yankee Siege wrecking ball /mace you’re pictured with.
Keep up the great work!
I did notice the excellent welds on the ball, very professional!
Good luck Paul, Always great to see you. If I can help, let me know, Especially in the PA area.
Happy Birthday LongHaulPaul!!!!
Love your family in N. Dighton
Paul, you’re in our thoughts every day now. 1, 000,000 miles…………. You’ll do it. Run safe..
Without a doubt I’ll be following your progress. I’m not made of money but if there is something I can do in terms of support don’t be afraid to ask I’m just a little puddle jump away (Milton, NH)
Seriously considering the MS5000.
Paul,
Just heard about the MS5000 and although I work 6 days a week in the spring I now have a great reason to ride far on that day off. Thanks for all you are doing!!
Good luck on breaking the LD record!!
Good Luck Paul. Great attitude. Send me an email and I will give you contact info for when you pass through Albuquerque. Have shop, tools, bed, meal, shower, you name it.
Just read your article in April/May 2013 “Ability” magazine. Have you contacted Jay Leno? Can’t hurt to try….
I think what you are doing is pretty awesome. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease 2 years ago and then, just recently, diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis (involuntary muscle weakness and loss of strength) on top of it. Like you I refuse to let the diseases define who I am and what I am capable of. I have some extreme rides planned myself for this year to raise funds and awareness for both of my diseases, although nothing quite as grand as your million mile plan
Stay safe out there and maybe our paths will cross on the road some day 
Hi Paul – I made a mental note to check your website out when you passed me on 93NB this morning while on my way to work. What you are doing is AWESOME! Good luck to you … you have a new “follower” for sure! All my best ~ Janet (Windham, NH)