Local Filmmaker Makes Documentary Connecting Positive Effects of Cycling on Parkinson’s Disease

A San Diego based filmmaker, Andrew Rubin, is currently co-directing and producing an inspirational documentary, Ride with Larry, on the positives effects that cycling has on patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a disease that affects the nervous system and hinders movement. Recent studies have found that cycling can delay some aspects of the disease.

Ride with Larry is an inspirational documentary that puts a human face on the day-to-day fight against Parkinson’s disease. Larry Smith, an avid cyclist, retired police captain, and beloved small-town baker has had Parkinson’s disease for the last 20 years. This spring  filmmakers will follow him with cameras as he bikes across his state of South Dakota to  raise awareness about the benefits of recumbent cycling and Parkinson’s.

Ride with Larry (trailer) from Ride with Larry on Vimeo.

The film is sponsored by the Davis Phinney Foundation (created by cyclist Davis Phinney after his own diagnosis with Parkinson’s), and endorsed by the National Parkinson Foundation.  Executive Producer on the project is Stephen Nemeth of War/Dance, Fuel, Flow, an d many more films.

Edit:The filmmakers are also trying to raise $50,000 by February 2, 2011 on Kickstarter.com. The funds will be used in the following manner:
1. Film Larry in South Dakota this February to document his winter training & begin his video blogs
2. Travel to Europe to film two very important research studies
3. Interview geneticists studying Parkinson’s and collecting 10,000 genetic samples of Parkinson’s patients
4. Interview Larry’s neurosurgeon in San Francisco
5. Travel to states such as Ohio, Georgia, New York, Connecticut and more to film doctors and researchers that are working on curing Parkinson’s and improving lives
6. Find the youngest person with Parkinson’s
7. Travel to South Dakota this May & June to follow Larry as he rides across his state
8. Many more interviews with experts, spokespersons, and patients in the Parkinson’s field