Littleton Dad Hopes To Break Land Speed Record
LITTLETON, Colo. (CBS4)- Geoff Giles' goal is to ride his customized Harley Sportster at a speed of 200 mph.
"I'm trying to break a world record, period," says Giles, 41, of Littleton.
His mission is to raise awareness for all children who share his daughter's disease, Type 1 diabetes.
"It's an autoimmune disease you're born with, live with, and it can kill you," explains Giles.
Geoff and his wife Roxanne have a 3-year-old daughter, Hayden, who was diagnosed with the disease. Her nickname is Haydo. Haydo's Heros is the nonprofit foundation created by the couple to generate research funds for battling Type 1 diabetes.
"My thing is I want to help young families with children that get it," adds Giles.
This weekend, with the foundation name emblazoned on his bike, Geoff will head to Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats. He will attempt to set a new world speed record for his type of motorcycle there.
He has only one week available to get the job done. But experience is on his side. Giles says he's been riding motorcycles since age 10.
"You're comfortable, confident, you're relaxed and if you're not, things happen bad," says the racer.
The souped up Harley-Davidson bike is a high profile way draw attention to his worthy cause.
Fortunately, Hayden's outlook is for a normal life because she already gets the medical treatment she needs.
"This is kind of a way for me to give back," says Geoff.
You can learn more about Haydo's Heroes at haydosheroes.org.
