LOUISVILLE, Ky. — There is a common hum at Dave Wilkinson’s Louisville house in the morning. 

What You Need To Know

  • Dave Wilkinson was born with Leber's Congenital Amaurosis, an eye condition, impairing his vision

  • He is training to ride "Race Across America" in June, which covers 12 states and more than 3,000 miles in fewer than two weeks

  • He and his "co-pilot," Jim Trout, are hoping to make history by becoming the first solo tandem bike with a blind rider to complete the event

  • Wilkinson has run more than 30 marathons and multiple Ironman races

"I’m curious what the body can do; I’m curious to get beyond that,” Wilkinson said.

It’s his curiosity that has led him to run more than 30 marathons, compete at an elite level in cross-country skiing and complete multiple Ironman races. 

Wilkinson was born with Leber's Congenital Amaurosis, an eye condition, impairing his vision. He said he can sense light but is unable to make out objects. 

“I’m a huge believer that your brain can convince your body it can do things it didn’t think it could do," he said. 

That’s why in June, Wilkinson and his guide, who call themselves "Team Speedy Turtles" will set off on a 3,000-mile cycling race, crossing 12 states in 10 days. 

Their goal is to make history by becoming the first solo tandem bike with a blind rider to complete the "Race Across America."

“We both have that wanderlust; we are really focused on this goal," said Jim Trout, Wilkinson's "co-pilot." "I think he knows his body, and I know my body."

This will be Trout’s fourth time riding the race. He was the first American in the 2021 event.  

However, he said he’s expecting this year to be the hardest. 

"We have to work out sleep patterns," Trout said. "It is so much more mental concentration as a pilot. The blind or not blind, you still have another person behind you have to coordinate with and work out.”

For about 18 months, Wilkinson and Trout have worked with their crew to practice accessible ways to put themselves in the best position to finish. That includes finding the best way to eat and drink while still riding. 

Their water bottles have tactile signs to indicate which one has water and which one has nutrition. 

“For Jim’s bottle, we have two different textures of tape, so we’re doing the same thing so we know whose bottle is whose," Wilkinson said. 

For Wilkinson, by taking small baby steps – or in this case, pedal strokes – he can push the boundaries of his limitations.

He said once he gets an idea, it’s tough to put on the breaks. 

“It becomes an obsession, and it’s hard to get out," Wilkinson said. "The only way it’s going to get out is if I follow it through." 

The cyclists and their crew will begin the trek June 11 in Oceanside, California. 

The "Race Across America" route goes through neighboring Indiana and Ohio, where fans and supporters can cheer on the cyclists.

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