Archived News

UPDATE AUG. 6, 2010:

Local resident Daniel Palazzolo left metro Atlanta July 23 for a six-week journey to Alaska and back. The reason: to raise money for awareness about breast cancer, a disease that his sister Kris is currently battling. Listen and watch as Daniel shares his story. 

Producer: Gale Hortan Gay; Photos: Daniel Palazzolo and Travis Hudgons

Well on his way to Alaska

With tears and cheers, Daniel Palazzolo took off from the metro area last week on his Atlanta-to-the-Arctic motorcycle journey.

As of July 27, Palazzolo had ridden through Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. The six-week 13,000-mile ride to the Arctic and back is expected to take him about six weeks.

Atlanta to the Arctic is Palazzolo’s way of paying homage to his sister Kris, who is fighting breast cancer, and raising funds for breast cancer research. A resident of Druid Hills, Palazzolo said he wanted to endure something hard and tough like the struggle his sister is going through.

Palazzolo’s blog (www.atltothearctic.com) entries provide an insightful look into enduring such a formidable ride:

Monday, July 26

RAIN... and lots of it 

Leaving I-40 was great. I now know where all of the nation’s corn comes from–northwest of Dumas, TX. I was in and out of rain all day. Leaving Texas and entering Colorado was all rain, all the time. I stopped for an early lunch in Trinidad, CO at the “Cafe”. The whole time I was eating it was raining. 

If you look close you can see it - a double rainbow [photo from his bike on the road with mountains and rainbow]..  Of course, when I stopped to take the pic, I dropped the bike.   Actually, to be honest, that was the second time that day that I dropped the bike.  After the ride up from Durango to Silverton I was attempting to park, it was raining, I was tired, and what do you know... I dropped the bike.  A slow, standing-still kind of drop. Yes... the bike is very heavy, and it was very hard to lift again, but I did it.  After both of those little incidents.  The fuel gauge seems to be showing “Full” all the time now and so I will have to figure that one out this morning.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Rolled past 1000 miles today... 

This morning I decided to stop and get some breakfast at the Cracker Barrel. As I got off my bike I had some nice folks inquire about the bike. We talked for a bit I told them about my cause and purpose. Next thing I know my check was taken care of. I have to say I am very thankful. It was a great start to a long day in the saddle. Thank you. 

Palazzolo provides photos and commentary from the road daily. On his Web site, there’s also tracking software that shows his location at various points each day.

TRACK DANIEL'S PROGRESS:

Read about the beginning of Daniel's journey: Atlanta to the Arctic