Mass. doctor biking 4,128 miles from Oregon to Boston for kids’ health
A local doctor wants kids to eat healthy and get moving.
So he’s taken his message on the road — literally.
Pierre Rouzier, staff physician at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is spending his summer biking across America.
He began his ride June 15 in Oregon and is scheduled to arrive in Boston August 21. Along the way, he’ll read “Henry Gets Moving,” the children’s book he authored and self-published. The story follows the adventures of Henry the hamster as he learns to eat well and exercise.
Rouzier is stopping at libraries and book stores between Oregon and Massachusetts to read his book to kids and donate copies. He’s documenting his journey on the Team Henry website, as well as on Instagram and Facebook. Team Henry, a nonprofit organization, accepts tax-deductible donations. The money collected goes toward donating books to classrooms and to an orphanage in Africa, Rouzier said.
“I want kids to love the message of Henry, want to be like Henry,” said Rouzier via cellphone from the road.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGsF3LOCXbZ/?taken-by=ridehenryride
Rouzier says 17 percent of kids age 2 to 19 are obese and more than 36 percent of adults are obese.
“We need to be reeducated” about healthy choices, he said.
The 60-year-old Rouzier said the trip fulfills his lifelong dream of cycling across the country. He has cycled in places like Alaska and Hawaii, and, of course, around New England. But this trip will be his longest trek to date. At night, he stays with fellow biking enthusiasts through warmshowers.org, a free worldwide hospitality exchange for touring cyclists.
Rouzier’s friend Roger Grette is pedaling alongside of him during the 68-day trip. The two wear matching “Team Henry” shirts. Rouzier’s wife Arlene also hit the road, completing the first week with them before returning to New England. The team plans to bike through 12 states.
“I want people to know that they need to be active,” said Rouzier. “You need to get moving, get off the couch, get away from our desks and our computers. We’ve got to put our little phone screens down and we need to play.”
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