Suicide survivor, veteran cycles through South Bend on cross-country mission
Joseph Dits
SOUTH BEND — Daniel Hurd stopped off on his cross-country bike ride for lunch at the South Blend Cafe in downtown South Bend. A Navy vet (2007-'11), with tours in Kuwait and Iraq, he's survived three suicide attempts, which he says is mostly rooted in sexual, physical and mental abuse as a child, but some military survivor guilt, too.
Cycling became the lifesaver for this 30-year-old man from Carver, Mass. Now he's trying to raise awareness of suicide, having set up a charity, www.opaatmovement.com — with no savings to support his own ride.
He does a lot of wild camping. He says someone stopped him at the University of Notre Dame campus today to ask about his colorful, tricked-out bike and, after hearing his story, gave him $20 for lunch.
"I want to show people that there are still good people," Hurd says. "There are still people offering help."
So far, he says his journey has taken him: 16.5 months, about 12,500 miles and 26 states, covering the East Coast, Gulf Coast and a pass through Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Next up: Maybe 20 more months snaking all across the West. (www.ridewithdanusa.com)