By Koby Brown — Most of us would balk at the idea of riding a bicycle across a state—even if the state were little old Rhode Island. Tell your friends you plan to do it and they’ll probably call you crazy. Some might even say you can’t do it or that you’re not strong enough.
None of that stops Rob Warner. And Rob faces a challenge most of us never will.
Doctors diagnosed Rob with early-onset Parkinson’s disease when he was 33, just three months after his youngest child was born. Parkinson’s—the world’s fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorder—primarily affects a patient’s ability to control movement. Millions of people live with Parkinson’s, and tens of thousands receive the diagnosis every year. Its hallmark symptoms include tremors, stiffness, and slowed movement, along with a host of other difficult complications. Researchers continue searching for a cure and for ways to ease patients’ symptoms.
As the disease has progressed, Rob’s life has become more complicated. Tasks that once felt routine now require greater effort as Parkinson’s affects his motor skills.
But Rob keeps moving.
Two summers ago, he joined the Spinning Wheels Tour, a group of Parkinson’s patients and supporters who crossed Canada by bicycle to raise awareness. Riders of all kinds took part—young and old, fit and out of shape, healthy and ill, Parkinson’s patients and non-patients alike.
Rob rode the British Columbia leg, a weeklong effort that demanded grit, sweat, and determination—and more than 300 miles of pedaling. Together, the group covered more than 5,000 miles. Their goal: raise awareness, fight stigma, build a support community, and beat the odds.
There’s another reason, too. Intense exercise ranks among the best therapies for managing Parkinson’s disease.
Research shows that vigorous exercise—especially cycling—can slow the disease’s progression and provide meaningful relief from symptoms. Hard exercise improves both gross and fine motor function, enhances balance, and stimulates brain mechanisms that preserve dopamine. As patients exercise, the brain repairs neural connections and protects dopamine-producing neurons.
Cycling offers particular benefits. The rapid, repetitive motion of pedaling forces the brain to adapt, improving motor control. The smooth, continuous movement also reduces freezing of gait while delivering a strong cardiovascular workout without the joint stress common in other forms of exercise. Cardio training further helps Parkinson’s patients by reducing stiffness, a symptom that strongly affects quality of life.
Unfortunately, many patients feel powerless to improve their situation.
That’s exactly why Rob and his teammates are preparing an even more ambitious ride this spring.
From May 2 to May 22, 2026, Rob—serving as captain of Team Utah—will climb back into the saddle. He will lead a group of supporters on a 20-day journey from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Phoenix, Arizona, where the 7th World Parkinson Congress will take place from May 24–27.
Their route will cross Utah, Nevada, California, and Arizona, including stretches along the Wasatch Front and through Cedar Breaks, Snow Canyon, Valley of Fire, and Lake Havasu. Two other teams—Team Route 66 and Team West Coast—will also ride to Phoenix in support of the World Parkinson Congress.
Rob and Team Utah invite anyone to join the journey. Ride a mile or ride all 900. Show up on an old Walmart Huffy BMX or a ten-thousand-dollar Bianchi. However you ride, you’ll find a section of road where you can join in, get some exercise, make friends, and support an important cause.
We hope you’ll find a way to support this effort, stand with millions of people living with Parkinson’s, and connect with the PD community.
To learn more—or to find other ways to support Team Utah and the broader Parkinson’s community—find them on Facebook at Team Utah – Pedal for Parkinson’s.
