André Louis will turn 60 in November. Tribune photo by Ira Cohen The Rider Louis, who turns 60 in November, was born in 1945 in the Pyrenees Mountains of France. He immigrated to the United States in 1970 and completed his undergraduate studies at Queens College. He became a social worker upon completion of his graduate work at Adelphi University. He started riding 27 years ago when he quit smoking. His son had developed health problems from the smoke, and Louis quit cold turkey. For nearly three decades he has biked nearly every day, though he does take breaks in the winter because of the weather. “Immediately, I got involved in the cycling world of Queens,” he said. “I go on long bike journeys in Europe, reaching routes over 1,000 miles, but this will be my longest tour. Most cyclists have the dream of going cross country.” “I hope that by riding across America I will provide insight and hope to those patients with whom I encounter on a daily basis,” he said. “I want to show my gratitude to the angels that tirelessly devote their skills and caring manner to the dying patients in hospices all over the country.” The Inspiration Louis was transferred to the Inpatient Hospice Unit at Tietz at about the same time his daughter, Michelle, was diagnosed with leukemia. After witnessing and treating individuals with personal hardships and tragic health problems, and handling his daughter’s own illness, Louis was inspired to create the “Ride for the Ages.” His daughter has survived leukemia thanks in part to a bone marrow transplant from her brother, Jean-Daniel. “The combined reason is gratitude,” Louis said in his thick French accent. “I feel the journey is important for several reasons. It will raise awareness about the importance of maintaining physical fitness – as it relates to longevity for many health care organizations – and [will] identify means of treating individuals who might require end-of-life care measures.” The cross-country cycle journey will commemorate his daughter’s life and the lives of several others who have been touched by the rehabilitation center. The Ride The journey itself will be interspersed with periods of rest and will not follow an exactly straight line. Throughout the trip he will be accompanied by his daughter and son in a van fully equipped with a GPS system and walkie-talkies. Louis will use two bicycles that have already been shipped to San Francisco. But a map and bikes aside, the journey is one that takes focus and perseverance. There are several challenges he will face in the 3,000-mile trek. Bad weather, heat, steep terrain, thin air from climbing up to 14,000 feet, keeping out of traffic (as he will be sharing the road with cars) and “the biggest challenge of all is crossing the hilly state of Pennsylvania,” something he joked about, saying that other cyclists would understand. Averaging 100 miles in 6-8 hour days, Louis will have to pace himself, especially since he will be joined by other local riders along the way for portions of the trip. “I must pace myself,” he said. “It’s very easy to go fast when I see others doing so, but they won’t be riding as long as I’ll be so I’ll have to maintain a certain speed.” Due to the trek’s high physical exertion, Louis said that he will have to eat as much as 6,000 calories per day in order to sustain his metabolism and energy. “A dream diet,” he joked. “They must be good calories, because otherwise I will gain weight,” he said. The route he is taking was created by the Adventure Cycling Association and used by fitness guru Bob Greene, famous for helping Oprah shed some of her weight, he said. “They gave us the same route that Bob Greene took when he biked across America,” Louis said. “The only difference is he did it in 70 plus days and I’m doing it in 33 days.” The Result Louis will make stops at various American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging facilities, of which the Tietz Center is a member. People wishing to make donations may do so through check, money order or credit card to the Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the Inpatient Hospice Unit. Donations can also be made online at the journey’s Web site, www.ridefortheages.com. Louis will stop at AAHSA centers along his journey to spread word of his trip and to bring attention to the cause. The Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a not-for-profit organization established in 1971 to provide healthcare and support to a diverse population, including Holocaust survivors and other affected by the Nazi regime.

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