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Pedaling for a cause; Kentwood man rides bike across country for ailing grandson

"He'll never know but I will, and all the time I just keep thinking about him."

KENTWOOD, Mich. - Ken Smith and his cycling partner rode through West Michigan Wednesday. The duo are biking across the country to raise awareness and money for Ken’s 16-year-old grandson Jakob Smith.

Jakob is unable to speak and requires around-the-clock care because of his neurological damage.

Ken is riding his bike from the Pacific to the Atlantic and has recorded more than 2,000 miles. He was in Kentwood Wednesday, Aug. 29 making a pit stop before biking out to the East Coast.

Along the ride Ken has come in contact with plenty of other news outlets, police and fire departments who help share his story.

"I had this crazy thought, I said I am going to ride my bike from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and I am going to put a GoFundMe together, and I am going to raise some funds," he told valleynewslive.com.

As of Wednesday the GoFundMe has raised more than $8,000.

Ken told us it's his grandson who keeps him going all these long miles.

"He'll never know but I will, and all the time I just keep thinking about him," Ken said.

Ken said he planned the pit stop in Kentwood to happen this week, so he could be with his wife on their anniversary.

Follow Ken's journey here as he travels from Oregon to Boston on bike.

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