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AAA may serve millions of motorists, but the association is getting serious about helping bicyclists, as well. Back in April, the President and CEO of AAA of Northern California, Nevada…

There’s a new rider at the top of the individual leader board for the National Bike Challenge: Michael Lemuel. But who’s the man behind that purple and white shield, logging a mind-boggling number of miles deep in the Kansas heartland?

Well, Michael Lemuel isn’t your average cyclist (and we’re not just talking about superhuman stamina). He’s a disabled veteran on a limited income — $123 per month,  plus government-assisted housing/food — who’s taken the lead in the Challenge despite suffering from epilepsy and ringing in his ears so intense that it causes chronic insomnia.

Michael was kind enough to share his story in this week’s Challenge Recap…

How and when did you start riding?

Before, I can remember. I think I was four years old. It’s one of the family stories because, the first time I rode a bicycle, my dad put the training wheels on, and I was off. Then dad decided to give me a chance with no training wheels — and they never were put back on. My earliest memory of being on a bike was at five-years-old and climbing on an old banana seat cruiser. It was way too big for me, but I’d ride it up and down the block from the moment I got out of school until my mom would call me in for the night.

Why did you decide to participate in the National Bike Challenge?

Kaw Valley Bicycle Club (featured in last week’s recap) and Topeka Community Cycling Project (TCCP) were planning Bike Month activities with the city of Topeka. Tee KVBC president told us of the Challenge, and we were trying to get local businesses, and even government bodies, to compete against each other for fun (and bragging rights). None of the “profit” bike shops wanted to particapate so TCCP challenged KVBC (all in good fun, of course). I really only planned on helping my team compete against KVBC, but then I found my city, workplace, team and myself all in the top 10 percent with Kansas in the top 10. From there it just so much bigger than our two teams. I won’t lie: I was constantly thinking, “I’m in the top 1 percent, .5 percent, .01 percent.” It made me feel both special and important.

You ride a really impressive number of miles per day —what’s your average day like? Where do you go, where do you ride?

One of the best things about bicycling is seeing the world up close and personal, rather than speeding through it behind the wheel of a car. With more than 6…

UPDATE:  I’ve taken out the SRTS and Recreational Trails data since these programs should be 100% bicycle and pedestrian spending.  Sorry for any confusion. Now that requirements to dedicate federal…

The new transportation bill is bad for bicycling and walking. There is no dancing around the issue: the bill will result in significant cuts to available funding for bicycling and…

While much of the country celebrated on May 18, today is Bike to Work Day in Denver, Colo. — and they sure have plenty to celebrate. More than 14,000 folks…

We’re all waiting with bated breath as the members of a Congressional conference committee race to beat the clock on the June 30th expiration of the current extension of the…

California Senator Barbara Boxer has been in the spotlight to save funding for bicycling and walking in the next transportation bill – but not because she ever wanted it to…

By Lindsay Plante, BFA Communications Intern Bicyclists in Venice, Fla., are hard at work to improve their bike-friendly status. After receiving an honorable mention on their first application to the…