Koeghan Wraps Up Amazing Bike Ride

"Amazing Race" Host Crosses Finish Line On Early Show Plaza; Rode 3,500 Miles Raising Funds For MS Research

(CBS)  The finale of the latest season of "The Amazing Race" will be broadcast Sunday night.

Call it coincidence -- or the successful execution of perfectly planned timing -- but "Race" host Phil Keoghan concluded an amazing journey of his own Friday -- crossing the finish line in The Early Show plaza of a 3,500 mile, cross-country bike ride that raised funds for Multiple Sclerosis research.

His "Ride Across America" kicked off March 28 in Los Angeles and took him through 39 cities over those 45 days. The ride was sponsored by GNC.

Keoghan raised $400,000 in all. That works out to more than $100 per mile!

He says the best part of the trip was the thousands and thousands of people he and his fellow riders met along the way. "Amazing Race" fans came from everywhere to show their support. People who live with MS every day were in each of the cities, rooting them on.

The worst part? Getting sick in Nebraska and having to go to an emergency room and have saline drips, then having to get up the next morning and pump out 100 miles with essentially little or no water. He couldn't stomach anything.

It was, says Keoghan, definitely the hardest physical challenge of his life. He averaged 100 miles a day which, he concedes, gets pretty grueling after awhile.

[ewconant]

I rode 75 miles with you out of Denver for those whom can't, for the 400,000+ Americans terrorized by MS, for my wife Margy and my daugther Lauren and her generation, for the day when MS means mystery solved. Thank you Phil!!
Whit Conant
Caring Spouse
Loving Father
Volunteer and Board of Trustees Member, Colorado Chapter

[dsurvis]

Thank you Phil. And thanks to everyone who supported, contributed and was involved in making this happen! We are closer to a cure with each selfless act made by people like all of you.

Both my mother and I have MS... The words "thank you" just aren't enough to convey the depth of your contributions, but thank you. It means so much.

Danie'l Survis
Mesquite Nevada
National MS Society Walk Site Coordinator

[pafan]

Thanks so much Phil for raising money for MS. My daughter-in law, who is only in her 30's has MS. As well as her father and brother. Thanks again for doing the ride across America, you are an angel!!!!
Dorothy Powell

[jilljustine]

You DID IT, Phil, you made it all the way Across America!!
I watched you this morning on TV and cried when you rode by everyone and even then still trying to reach out to people with your love and hand slaps! ;)
What a challenge!! YOU are one AMAZING guy!!!
We are all so proud of YOU and thankful for all YOU have done for those of us with MS!!
I will miss follwing YOU on the video blogs daily, but glad you made it in one piece after all those physical demands!!
much love to YOU your team and crew - now please go REST -
Jill Justine Hughes :)