Ever since Roy Roden was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease three years ago, hes been on a race to get the most out of life while his body still can.

He has skydived, traveled, zip-lined.

Now, the South Florida native is putting his relay into higher gear, planting his foot firmly on a bike pedal.

Roden and his wife Lynn, of North Miami Beach, will take off Thursday with their two dogs on a cross-country bike ride from Seattle to Miami, to raise awareness and money for Parkinsons.

If you found out you have a degenerative disease, what are you going to do with the next 10 years of your life? Roden said. I want to do something.

Roden, 54, plans to spread the word about clinical trials and share his experience with his most recent treatment, deep brain stimulation.

His doctors are behind him.

I give it the thumbs up, said Dr. Carlos Singer, professor of neurology at the University of Miami School of Medicine and division chief of Parkinsons and movement disorders. It can be inspiring to people. Its neat. It shows how active a person with Parkinsons can be.

A progressive, neurodegenerative brain disorder, Parkinsons is the second most common degenerative disease of the brain, after Alzheimers. It affects one million people in the United States, including an estimated 35,000 in South Florida, according to the National Parkinson Foundation, which is based in Miami.

Each year, about 50,000 to 60,000 cases of Parkinsons are diagnosed, with an average age at diagnosis of 62.

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Couple to bike cross-country for Parkinson’s charities