Canadian man cycles 14,000 miles in the name of Autism - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Canadian Adam Biel, 25, is riding through Lubbock after an attempt to set the Pan-American Highway cycling record.

Cycle Pan-America, a 14,500 mile journey that will take Biel from the Southern tip of Argentina, to the Northern tip of Alaska will began on March 20, 2012. Biel's intent was to ride the highway in 100 days, beating the current record by 25 days, making Cycle Pan-America the most-difficult cycling feat of the 21st century.

However, after cycling the entire length of South America in just 48 days, cycling and average of 150 miles per day, Biel ruptured a muscle in his calf while riding through Costa Rica - forcing him to give up the world record attempt. Despite his injury, Biel is still riding and will ride through Lubbock on Saturday, June 2. Biel seek to finish what he set out to do, ride the Pan-American Highway for autism.

Cycle Pan-America is the equivalent of the distance covered in Le Tour de France 6 times back-to-back, without rest days, and in two-thirds the time. The route passes through 14 countries and some of the world's harshest terrain, including the most dangerous highways, and the driest desert in the world.

"I am inspired by Adam's commitment…His journey over the past two years prepared him well for his quest to break the world record" - B.J. Surhoff, Former Major League Baseball All-Star, Father of Son with Autism.

Biel is riding to raise money and awareness for autism, after recognizing the devastating growth rate of the disease.

"Autism is growing like cancer was 20 years ago. It will be the cancer of my generation and the legacy we leave our children if nothing changes. I refuse to let that happen." says Adam.

Autism affects more than 1 in 88 American children born this year and 1 in 55 of boys born this year. Its prevalence increases by upwards of 10% per year and in some countries it is already as high as 1 in 38 births. It is a global epidemic. Many countries provide no or little support to those dealing with autism. There is no known cause, cure or effective treatment for autism.

Adam Biel's Cycle Pan-America will not only push physical limits, but will bring international awareness to the global epidemic of autism.

Copyright 2012 KCBD. All rights reserved.