Japanese cyclist rides across America to spread hope

A Japanese man is cycling on Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles all with the goal of showing the kindness of strangers. Tonight he's enjoying rather an early Thanksgiving meal with a host family in Fontana who just like me found his posts on social media. Raul Murata challenged himself two years ago to cycle from New York to Los Angeles. Chicago, I couldn't go any farther. The Japanese man with limited English only made it to Chicago. In September, he returned to his old bike to start again. This time, we're finishing it together. Chicago to Los Angeles. The 26 year old documents his journey on Route 66 and all the people he meets along the way. The kindness of strangers is impressive. Oh you are very, very The police officer who helps him move his bike off the highway, the convenience store that allowed him to pitch his tent in the back only to have a social media follower book him a hotel. Take care. Thank you. Thank you. I want to spread happiness through my journey. I think that so I keep going and I'm traveling by myself. He endures flat tires, bad weather, and steep hills, but he's still on track to get to the end of Route 66 by his goal date of Wednesday. So many people, you cannot do this. Sunday, two and a half months after leaving Chicago, and after almost 2,400 miles, Murata arrives safely to Fontana. His host family connected with him on TikTok, happy to play a small part in his personal challenge. He's an inspiration to everybody. To get on a bike or just do something that makes a difference, that makes everybody, you know, feel special and feel a part of. Now he's just 66 miles from his final destination. Wednesday, he'll celebrate his birthday and the 100th anniversary of Route 66 on the Santa Monica Pier. But until then, he'll enjoy a home-cooked meal and the warmth of his new friends. Since he will miss Thanksgiving this time around, we're doing a Thanksgiving feast for him. The turkey meatloaf, the whole spread mac and cheese.