The following article was published in The Herald-Press in Huntington, Indiana on March 3, 2008.

This ride will show he can
By CALEB SANDERS, Staff Writer

Jeremy Winkelman, left, and his uncle Stan Bippus discuss
their planned cross-country bicycle trip - a trip Winkelman
says will show that people with handicaps don’t have to give
up their dreams. (Herald-Press/Matthew Berry)

Learning to overcome a physical disability can be daunting. And for Huntington's Jeremy Winkelman, it has been no easy task. Soon after Winkelman was born, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects the brain and impairs movement.“My parents were told I would not be able to walk because my legs were weak,” Winkelman said.”But I did.”The 29-year-old was also told that he would not be able to play baseball or basketball - and that he would not be able to ride a bike.

Winkelman has stood up and proved them wrong, able to do all of these things and more.Now he wants to showcase his determination by participating in a cross-country bike ride with his uncle, Stan Bippus. The two will embark on their journey March 23, when Winkelman will dip his back tire in the Pacific Ocean in San Diego, Calif., and travel the 3,100 miles to St. Augustine, Fla., and the Atlantic Ocean. “At first I didn't think I could do it, but my parents told me they knew I could do it if I really wanted to,” Winkelman said. “My uncle said he would ride with me to make sure I didn't quit when I got tired and sore.”

The two will travel along the southern rim of the United States across the plains of Texas and the painted deserts of Arizona. Along the way, they will stop at schools and organizations to show that individuals with a handicap can accomplish major physical challenges. He also wants to raise money that would help to support programs for young people with special needs.“I hope to raise money for other people that help special kids like myself,” Winkelman said. His goal to raise a penny for every mile that he rides. All public schools located in towns that he will pass through will be notified of his ride, the purpose of the ride and the tentative arrival date. The ride has a fixed schedule and the bikers have planned specific locations for overnight stops.“We will be camping mostly,” Bippus said. “But Jeremy's mother, Joyce, will also be calling ahead and trying to set up locations for us to stay at.”Hoping to average around 60 to 70 miles per day, Winkelman and Bippus know that it will be a big challenge, but say they are both up to it.“I am looking forward the physical challenge and really looking forward to helping Jeremy get through it,” Bippus said. “But I am also concerned with my endurance.”Joyce will be following the pair in her car and will be available with water and other items they need. They plan on taking regular breaks.Bippus is no stranger to physical tests. He has climbed to the highest points in 48 of the 50 states. On Sunday, the 68-year-old Bippus was to climb the highest point in Hawaii and plans to tackle Mt. Ranier in Washington a week after the bike ride.Winkelman has accompanied Bippus on hikes to the highest points in Michigan, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and Delaware. Now he looks forward to an even bigger accomplishment with the ride.“My uncle has definitely been my inspiration,” he said.Winkelman has already received $1,134 from the HELP board to cover gas expenses and has also received $250 from the Bippus Lions Club. But even on a bare bones budget, Winkelman is still seeking support.A fund-raising benefit will be held at 2 p.m. on March 8 at JD's, 23 E. Market St. The dinner will include grilled chicken, brats, sides and desserts for $5 a person. Mail contributions can be sent to Jeremy's Ride, Huntington County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 5037, Huntington, IN 46750.Once they head off on their ride, those interested in keeping up with their progress can head over to http://www.jeremysride.blogspot.com/.“There you will have the opportunity to hear updates, see photos and track where we will be,” Bippus said. “This blog will be a great resource for teachers and parents to use to motivate their students to excel by taking on difficult challenges using Jeremy as a role model.”Actor Daniel Day-Lewis won an Academy Award for portraying a man who overcame cerebral palsy, and Winkelman hopes to write his own chapter through the ride.“I want to show people that just because I have some physical problem, I can still do what other people can do who do have the physical problems,” he said.