Greg's Solo 2026 E-bike Tour Across America
Gregory's Journey: The 2026 Tour in Numbers
Total distance: 7,460+ miles
Average mileage per day: 65+ miles
Average speed: 12 Mph
When: March - July 2026
Did you meet Gregory, and did he give you a viewing code
to watch "Only Lazy Americans E-bike?
Social media photo credit: www.freepik.com
Dr. Gregory Maassen biked 7,460 miles from West Palm Beach in Florida to Los Angeles, California, in 2026, in support of the Merkin Peripheral Neuropathy and Nerve Regeneration Center at Johns Hopkins.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE JOHNS HOPKINS MERKIN CENTER
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Click on the map below to learn more about one of the 10 segments of the 2026 Merkin Tour
The Planned and Real Route
The planned route is labeled with "Segments." The actual daily cycled routes are labeled "Trip 2026 - ."
I am Gregory Maassen, a Dutch-American cyclist living in Washington, DC. Linkedin.
I e-biked solo across the United States from West Palm Beach, Florida, to Los Angeles (March - July 2026), a 7,460+ mile journey to raise awareness and support research programs for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy.
LIVE ONLINE TRACKER
THIS MAP SHOWED THE REAL-TIME LOCATION OF GREGORY AS HE CYCLES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
Gregory cycled from Florida to California, from the East to the West.
I am raising funds for the Johns Hopkins Merkin Peripheral Neuropathy and Nerve Regeneration Center for research and education.
Peripheral neuropathy is a debilitating condition that affects over 30 million Americans. Join the journey to find answers—your tax-deductible donation supports vital research and care.
Be Part of the Journey
Be part of the journey by donating to the center, tax-deductible. All proceeds go directly to the Merkin Center. Learn More!
Donate to the Johns Hopkins Merkin Peripheral Neuropathy and Nerve Regeneration Center.
As Gregory was born in the Netherlands, this ride is also a tribute to the long-lasting Dutch-American friendship — with his trusty wooden shoes tagging along for the adventure.
Did you know? The United States' longest unbroken, peaceful relationship with any foreign country is with the Netherlands!
"On the Dutch island of St. Eustatius in the Caribbean, the first foreign salute to the American flag took place on November 16, 1776; John Paul Jones was received as a hero in Amsterdam in 1779 when he landed with two captured British ships; and the Dutch Government entered into secret negotiations with the Continental Congress, starting in 1778, on the draft of a Treaty of Amity and Commerce.
But, most important, on April 19, 1782, John Adams was admitted by the States General of the Dutch Republic as Minister of the United States of America, thus obtaining the second diplomatic recognition of the United States as an independent nation. Adams also succeeded, on October 8, 1782, in signing the first Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the two countries. This recognition of the United States as an independent nation can be regarded as a key step in our country's efforts to take its rightful place in the world community of nations as a sovereign state."
In recognition of this long and fruitful relationship between our two countries and peoples, President Reagan designated April 19, 1982, as Dutch-American Friendship Day.
Source: https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/speech/proclamation-4928-dutch-american-friendship-day-1982
John Paul Jones (born John Paul; July 6, 1747 – July 18, 1792) was a Scottish-American naval captain who was the United States' first well-known naval commander in the American Revolutionary War.
Image credit: A 1781 painting of Jones by Charles Willson Peale.
We Have Cycled Across America Before
Documentary Screening Tour
We show the film in select cities across the United States as part of the Johns Hopkins-Merkin Center E-bike Tour.
If you are interested in a free screening, please contact Ms. Lale Akca of Johns Hopkins via Linkedin or Dr. Gregory Maassen of E-bike Lovers via Linkedin.
E-bike Lovers Cross-Country Touring bike.
Be Part of the Largest Facebook Support Community for Peripheral Neuropathy
You Are Not Alone. Find Inspiration From Others! Visit the websites of the Merkin Center at Johns Hopkins, the Western Neuropathy Association, the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy, and the Facebook Page of Peripheral Neuropathy Success Stories!
The Journey
E-biking across the US requires serious planning!
Training
A cross-country trip requires months of training to avoid injuries.
It also takes time to learn how to handle equipment on a trip that is fully self-supported.
Equipment
It took over a year to prepare for the journey. Fitting the bike and learning camping and bear survival skills are essential steps in preparing for the tour.
The Dutch E-Cyclist
Gregory Maassen is a multimedia, strategic digital marketing, videographer, documentary maker, author, and manager. He lived in the Netherlands, Armenia, South Africa, Botswana, Afghanistan, Russia, Iraq, Macedonia, and Jordan.
And now: He is an E-Cyclist who travels across the United States, raising funds for research and awareness of peripheral neuropathy in partnership with the Merkin Center of Johns Hopkins.
Gregory founded E-bike Lovers to provide members with free, high-quality e-bike travel experiences. The social group is the largest and most inclusive group of e-cyclists in the United States. Read more about E-bike Lovers and e-bike technology in a BBC interview.
He has a Ph.D. in Business Administration and a Master's degree in TV and Film Production (2024). He lives with his wife, Janet, and their cat Queenie in Washington, DC. Linkedin.
About Peripheral Neuropathy
A debilitating disorder that deserves more funding
Peripheral neuropathy is not a single disease. It’s a general term for a series of disorders that result from damage to the body’s peripheral nervous system.
Some types of peripheral neuropathy develop suddenly, while others progress more slowly over many years.
Causes include diabetes, chemo treatment, COVID-19 and other viral infections, hereditary diseases, and idiopathic causes.
Source: www.foundationforpn.org
Peripheral Neuropathy symptoms usually start with numbness, prickling or tingling in the toes or fingers. It may spread up to the feet or hands and cause burning, freezing, throbbing and/or shooting pain that is often worse at night.
The pain can be either constant or periodic, but usually the pain is felt equally on both sides of the body—in both hands or in both feet. Some types of peripheral neuropathy develop suddenly, while others progress more slowly over many years.
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy often include:
Symptoms such as experiencing weakness or not being able to hold something, not knowing where your feet are, and experiencing pain that feels as if it is stabbing or burning in your limbs, can be common signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
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Peripheral neuropathy affects millions of Americans, but research is underfunded. We need to find a cure for all those who silently suffer from this debilitating disease.
And I know how hard it can be. I was inflicted with a post-infectious small fiber neuropathy in South Africa. E-biking helped me restore my strength and sanity.
We need your support. Donate now!
Dr. Gregory F. Maassen
Founder E-bike Lovers