TAMPA, Fla. — A South Carolina man passed through Tampa on Saturday riding hundreds of thousands of miles for a rare disease.

It was the final day of Patrick Cornell’s year-long journey.

What You Need To Know

Patrick Cornell rode 200k miles on his motorcycle in one year to raise awareness and money for Myotonic Dystrophy

Cornell’s wife’s family has the rare disease

Cornell stopped in Tampa before hitting the major milestone in Fort Myers

He raised at least $130,000 that will be donated to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation

He stopped at Bert’s Buccaneer Indian motorcycle dealership before hitting the 200,000 milestone in Fort Myers.

When he arrived at Bert’s, he had 132 miles left to complete 200,000 miles on his motorcycle. He calls the bike “Pappy” and it’s decked out with the accessories needed for long distance.

“I’ve got a tablet for weather, radar, navigation and a couple of satellite trackers,” said Cornell.

On May 1, 2025, Cornell set out to ride 125,000 miles in 125 days to raise $125,000 for Myotonic Dystrophy. His wife’s whole family has the condition, which is known to cause muscle atrophy and weakness.

“Everybody thinks of muscles, biceps, triceps; they don’t think about your heart, your lungs, your esophagus, it affects all of that,” he said.

But after 125 days, the fundraising goal wasn’t met, so Cornell had a new idea. Only this time, it was even bigger.

“200,000 miles, one year, one bike, one man, one mission for Myotonic Dystrophy,” Cornell said.

With the help of social media, Cornell has raised at least $130,000. The proceeds are going to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation.

“My wife is very anxiously awaiting me to come home. She has told me a number of times how proud she is of what I’ve done and what we’ve accomplished,” he said.

After a brief stop, Cornell and his crew were back on the road to Fort Myers to complete the mission

“I don’t know what it’s going to be like when I finish. But there’s definitely going to be some emotions that I’m sure I’m not expecting,” Cornell said.

The journey ends at 200,000 miles, but the Cornell’s impact will last a lifetime.

Right now, there is no cure for Myotonic Dystrophy; but there are treatment options that can help manage symptoms.

Fundraising efforts like these help fund more research to expand those treatment options.