Father, son finish cross-country bike ride

Heart attack survivor makes journey about giving

Bob (right) and Conrad Quick finish their cross-country bike ride in St. Augustine Beach.

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – He has more than a dozen stints in his heart, plus a pacemaker, but that didn't stop one Utah man from completing the journey of a lifetime at St. Augustine Beach.

For three months, Bob Quick and his son pedaled across the country, beginning in San Diego. It was an emotional accomplishment for father and son as the two pedaled up to the finish line Tuesday, dipping their bikes in the ocean.

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Quick is the first person to complete a trip like this with 16 stints and a pacemaker defibrillator. But the journey was really about giving.

Quick said his goal is to raise $1 million for charities like the Wounded Warrior Project and the Primary Children's Miracle Network. He hasn't reached that goal yet, but hopes the attention will change that.

He said most of all, he's proud to have had his son, Conrad, right beside him.

"It was very emotional to have him behind me," Bob said. "He was constantly going, 'Dad, have you taken your meds? Dad, do you need a glass of water? And Dad, don't die on me.'"

"I promised everyone back home that I'd bring him home in one piece, and here he is," Conrad said.

Nine years ago, Bob suffered a massive heart attack that nearly cost him his life. Those 16 stints and pacemaker defibrillator now help keep him alive. Despite the issues with his heart, he pushed through the journey, thinking about his mission at hand to raise money for charities he cares about.

At one point during the trip, he says he collapsed and didn't know if he'd be able to continue his quest.

"The heart just went into survival mode," Bob said. "My legs went numb, I laid down, I slept. He didn't know if I was going to make it."

But he did make it, and when back on his bike, the father and son duo rode alongside local firefighters from city to city to make sure they stayed safe. Bob said they are the men and women who watched over him years ago and over the last three months, and they are the people he knows as heroes.

At the end, Bob asked them to autograph his bike.

"I think I can prove to all people, because of these heroes right here, that you can get up off the couch and do something," he said.

For now, Bob said he's ready to get home, and it feels great knowing he accomplished so much, especially with his son by his side.

"In the words of my hero, Forrest Gump, 'I'm done. I'm tired now. I'm gonna go home,'" Bob said. "Only he said he was going to go home and see Jennie. I'm going to go home and see my beautiful wife Julie of 33 years."

Bob is urging people to donate to these charities. He has a "Donate Now " option on his website, www.bobquicksjourney.com. He said every cent goes to those charities.


About the Author:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.