Phil Nagle: 48 in 48

Phil Nagle always wanted to do something in honor of his uncle who died of leukemia. One day he hopped on a bike and took a ride. Little did he know the ride would take him 50 days and across the country.

Nagle’s journey began in October 2008 when he approached the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with a rough plan.

“It was the perfect time to do it,” said Nagle, a senior working toward his second bachelor’s degree. “I was in between my two senior years and was in the best shape of my life.”

Once he ran his idea by the society, Nagle, who graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in architectural engineering in June, began to build a framework for sponsorship, fundraising and training.

Then, on July 20, he began the ride of a lifetime: attempting to ride across the continental U.S. in just 48 days.

Nagle started in Tipp City, Ohio, his hometown, and traveled east toward Maine. From there, he took a turn south, then west, to create an 8,180-mile circle.

Nagle made stops in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and the Four Corners.

Once he was cycling through Virginia, the pace became more comfortable.

“It’s all about finding that rhythm,” Nagle said.

During the trip, Nagle, 23, burned a total of 530,000 calories, or about 9,000 per day, according to his GPS made specifically for cycling. His diet included energy drinks, pancakes, fruits and vegetables, turkey sandwiches and the occasional candy bar, which totaled more than 10,000 calories per day.

Nagle spent a total of 645 hours on the bike and rode an average of 148 miles per day.

While he didn’t make it in 48 days, Nagle managed to complete the trip in 56, only eight days more than his goal.

The trip took its toll on Nagle’s bike, which went through eight tires and one chain.

It also had an effect on Nagle, who admitted to being sleep-deprived during the trip. He slept about six hours per night, but still got back on the bike each day.

The possibility for injury was also high, especially given the lack of recovery time.

“I was tired and sore,” Nagle said. “But once I got on the bike, I was fine because the endorphins kicked back in.”

Staying positive was also an important part of the trip, Nagle said.

“It’s just a big mind game,” he said.

Nagle’s father and two friends accompanied him on the trip, traveling in an RV. There was also a trailer that held supplies and necessities.

“We were honest and brutal with each other, which was great,” Nagle said. “If I started to get lazy or drag, they would tell me.”

Out of the 56 days and 10 hours Nagle traveled, he only encountered four days of rain.

“We hit some pretty bad thunderstorms in Arkansas and had to call it an early night,” Nagle said.

The trip consisted of promotional events in both the big cities and the smaller towns. He had random encounters with people who saw his trailer and asked him about it while he was at a gas station. There were conversations with kids riding bikes around their neighborhoods.

Meeting survivors of leukemia along his journey was a great experience, Nagle said.

“It was great hearing their gratitude and stories,” he said.

Nagle, who is in the UC honors program, did not originally intend for his trip to be part of his honors experiences, but it ended up being an unexpected bonus.

As part of the honors program, each student must complete six experiences, which can include a variety of things. Students can enroll in honors seminars or participate in experiential learning projects. Some also propose their own ideas for experiences, which must be approved by a review committee.

“The fundamental idea behind experiential learning is the individual student’s engagement in an activity or program that has been designed to initiate the process of inquiry and understanding,” according to the honors program Web site.

“[Honors students] are so talented, and should have the opportunity to give back and leave a legacy on and off campus,” said Jen Lile, assistant director of the honors program.

Lile first heard about Nagle’s journey from a staff newsletter, ECurrents. She contacted him and explained that what he was doing could count as an experience.

Now that Nagle has returned to Cincinnati, Nagle is still working on his campaign to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

He has raised $8,000 and is hoping to reach the $10,000 mark. His original goal was $48,000.

Nagle is also returning to UC to complete his second major, construction management.

Despite the strain on his health, Nagle said he is almost completely recovered. There is some occasional soreness and stiffness, but Nagle said he is relieved he doesn’t have any joint damage.

Nagle will be visiting several middle schools in the upcoming months. He also presented the story of his journey at the District A Street Festival on Saturday, Oct. 10.

Meanwhile, he is researching other possible journeys in other areas of the world.

“We had a saying throughout the trip,” Nagle said. “‘When in doubt, pedal. When in more doubt, pedal harder."

For those interested in donating to Nagle’s cause, the campaign’s Web site, go48in48.com, will be accepting donations through the winter.