My name is Rex Covington, a.k.a. Lone Star Rider. My son was diagnosed with diabetes type I in 2003. In 2015 he blacked out and died in a fiery car wreck.
This has been heavy on my mind; was there something that I could have done to prevent that from happening? I came up with many scenarios, but, in the end, there wasn’t really anything I could have done for my son. But, I could help to try and prevent this from happening to somebody else!
I’d already done a few things to raise money for the American Diabetes Association, but nothing really major. Until, in the second week of January 2018, I had a dream. A dream where I was raising money riding my motorcycle all over the country, raising $90,000 in one year. I thought this was a great idea so I just started riding! I’m still riding and so far I have raised a little under $8,000 for the American Diabetes Association.
For the last 20 months I rode over 80,000 mile on a 2008 Harley-Davidson Road Glide, pulling a 400 lb. Teardrop Trailer. I have broken down 4 times and was towed twice for reparations. I’ve been riding from the East coast to the West coast, speaking at events, stopping at rallies & festivals where the American Diabetes Association suggests I go, talking to anyone who will listen to me.
Before all of this happened the longest Motorcycle trip I had done was a month long and about 5,000 miles. It was great taking short trips once or twice a year, but being on the road full time is a totally different story and has its moments.
You don’t always get to plan where your are staying for the night, and sometimes the weather keeps you where you are, or changes your route. Even a break down can put you behind and cancel an event. For example I was in southern California once where I got snowed in for two days during the month of May! I never expected that 🙂
Despite the down times, there have been more great times. For example, I was riding towards Rome, Georgia, not even knowing that I had crossed the state line, when these huge fish caught my eye. So I turned around to check it out! I love finding stuff like that on the side of the road.
Jennifer Sipsy came up to me and offered to take a photo of me and the fish. After talking with her I found that she had a child with Type One Diabetes and so did her brothers. It is people like Jennifer and her child who show me that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. They are the reason why I’m “Riding For A Cure”!
You can journey along with me on the ride of my life, as I travel around the country on my motorcycle, raising money and awareness. Follow along with me and see the incredible roads I travel and the amazing people I meet along the way—working at events, recording videos, and taking photos!
When I started this mission I sold everything I owned, which has kept me going so far. Now, after 20 months, I’m running out of money to keep me on the road and I’m looking for sponsors, donations and /or affiliate programs to help keep me going. So if your are someone or know someone that would be willing and able to support me on my mission, please let me know or leave a donation at my Patreon. I would really appreciate it.
And of course donations for the American Diabetes Association are also more than welcome. Please see my ADA page here: RidingForACure.com
Thank you,
Rex
