Cyclist Raises Awareness for Peripheral Neuropathy

Gregory Maassen's e-bike journey aims to educate doctors and patients about the condition.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Gregory Maassen, a Dutch native living in the U.S., embarked on a 5,800-mile e-bike journey from West Palm Beach, Florida to Los Angeles to raise awareness about peripheral neuropathy, a condition he was diagnosed with in 2019 after experiencing unexplained symptoms for nearly two years. Maassen's journey will connect him with people living with the condition as well as doctors who may diagnose different types of neuropathy, in an effort to increase education and understanding around the "silent epidemic" that affects over 35 million U.S. adults.

Why it matters

Peripheral neuropathy is a common but often misunderstood condition that can have a significant impact on people's lives. Maassen's personal experience of struggling to get a diagnosis highlights the need for greater awareness and education, both for patients and healthcare providers. His cross-country e-bike ride aims to shine a light on this issue and provide support and resources for those affected.

The details

After experiencing unexplained symptoms like weakness, voice loss, and burning sensations for nearly two years, Maassen was finally diagnosed with a postinfectious form of small fiber peripheral sensory neuropathy. This type of neuropathy, which can be caused by factors like tick bites, is difficult to diagnose as it affects the small nerve fibers rather than the large nerve fibers assessed by standard tests. Maassen began treatment, including medications and exercise, which helped him recover. Now, he's embarking on a 5,800-mile e-bike journey to raise awareness and connect with others affected by peripheral neuropathy.

  • In April 2019, Maassen received his diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy.
  • Maassen started his first cross-country e-bike ride in 2022, covering 4,685 miles along the Lincoln Highway.
  • On March 1, 2026, Maassen will depart from West Palm Beach, Florida on his latest e-bike journey, covering over 5,800 miles to Los Angeles.

The players

Gregory Maassen

A Dutch native living in the U.S. who was diagnosed with a postinfectious form of small fiber peripheral sensory neuropathy in 2019 after experiencing unexplained symptoms for nearly two years.

Ahmet Hoke, M.D., Ph.D.

The director of the Merkin Peripheral Neuropathy and Nerve Regeneration (PNNR) Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine, who diagnosed Maassen and has been guiding research initiatives to discover new treatments for peripheral neuropathy.

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What they’re saying

“I know what you have. I see it all the time,”

— Ahmet Hoke, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Merkin Peripheral Neuropathy and Nerve Regeneration (PNNR) Center

“By two years, he was a changed man. That approach had a big impact on him.”

— Ahmet Hoke, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Merkin Peripheral Neuropathy and Nerve Regeneration (PNNR) Center

“He told me I had to exercise. I was thinking, are you out of your mind? This is crazy. How could I even think of exercising?”

— Gregory Maassen

What’s next

Maassen's upcoming e-bike journey will connect him with people living with peripheral neuropathy as well as doctors who diagnose different types of the condition, in an effort to increase awareness and education around this "silent epidemic."

The takeaway

Maassen's personal experience and subsequent e-bike journeys highlight the need for greater awareness and understanding of peripheral neuropathy, a common but often misdiagnosed condition. By sharing his story and connecting with others affected, he hopes to empower patients and support medical research to improve treatments and outcomes.