Raises $7000 for Theater Companyâ€s Hearing-Loss Program

 By: Sonia Shephard

California is 3,410 miles away whether you go by train, plane or car.  Henry Greenfield, 24, of Jersey City rode his 2015 Fuji Touring Bike from New Jersey to California, journeying through the states in 50 days. Greenfield made the trip, facing extreme temperature changes and with 70 pounds of supplies on his bike to raise money for a California theater groupâ€s hearing-loss program. What makes this journey even more amazing is that Greenfield also has hearing loss, and wears a hearing implant.

Greenfieldâ€s cross-country journey started at the Frank Sinatra Park in Hoboken at 7 an on Sept. 23, and concluded 50 days later on the beach of Santa Monica, California where he was greeted by the No Limits theater group of Culver City. Greenfieldâ€s journey raised $7,000 for the theater groupâ€s hearing loss program.

“When I finally reached Santa Monica on my bike, and saw everyone waiting for me at the pier near the beach, it was surprising and emotional at that moment for me that I had finally reached the end,” Greenfield says.

The first day started at 7 am and ended at 2 am. Greenfield had traveled 150 miles, thus, the journey had begun.

“I started from the Hudson River at Frank Sinatra Park to be as close to the coast as possible for my starting point,” Greenfield says.

After arriving at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania the next morning, Greenfield headed toward Maryland and then back up to Pennsylvania taking the Great Allegheny Path. To guide him, he used apps like Google Maps on his cellphone which he mounted on his bike.

During his trip, he routes were so scenic that he was able to appreciate the beauty without being distracted. Greenfield says. There were all types of roads that offered a challenge and he rode during the night on paths and roads that were unfamiliar to him. Greenfield traveled through Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and finally California.

“I made a trip to the Grand Canyon and saw a lot of wild animals like deer, possum, armadillo, and coyotes,” Greenfield says.

During the trip, Greenfield had four flats, made 43 stops, and rode in rain, harsh winds, and hot weather.  He kept his expenses low with food and lodging, but that didnâ€t prevent him from stopping at Olive Garden to fuel up on carbs.  On Oct. 30, his 24th birthday, Greenfield treated himself to two pizzas in Santa Rosa, New Mexico.

Greenfield averaged 50 to 130 miles a day and would take two 20-minute breaks on a typical day.  Along the way, passers-by cheered for him, Greenfield says, even giving donations and buying him meals. And on Day 50, Greenfield accomplished his goal.

“I am proud of my accomplishment,” Greenfield says. “This trip showed me how resourceful I am to planning and being mentally pushed beyond limits.”

To see pictures of Henry Greenfieldâ€s trip and for more info, go to www.henryonabike.tumblr.com.

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