Cross-country cyclist kicks off 8,000-mile journey with a visit to Packard Children’s

German cyclist Jörg Richter kicked off a more than 8,000-mile bike ride across the United States with a visit to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford last week. This is Richter’s fourth cross-country bike trip and his third in the United States (he completed a ride from Munich, Germany, to Madrid, Spain, last fall) — all to support children with rare diseases.

After losing two friends unexpectedly within the past decade, Richter decided to prioritize his life’s “bucket list.” At the top of that list was a dream he conceived of when he was just 8 years old: to ride his bike across America. Richter — who has a background in physical education for children with disabilities — embarked on the trip to raise awareness of pediatric rare diseases, a cause dear to his heart.

“For me, it is all about bringing smiles to patients’ faces and showing them that it is possible to follow your dreams — no matter how big they may be,” Richter said.

Throughout each of his cross-country rides, Richter visits children’s hospitals around the country, delivering teddy bears and stories of his travels. His 8,077 mile route began in San Francisco on April 5, and will conclude in New York on September 30, with stops at 13 children’s hospitals along the way including visits to Denver, Minneapolis, Toronto and Boston.