Carsten Boesmann of Cleveland has been riding his motorcycle around the country to spread awareness and collect donations for Parkinson's disease across the country for the past month.

Yesterday, he stopped in Henrico County.

"This is by far the most warm welcome I've had," he said.

Unless otherwise scheduled, Boesmann, 36, would stop in every location at the City Hall steps. In some areas, including Baton Rouge, La., and Los Angeles, no one showed up, Boesmann said.

"Some cities, there was a bigger turnout or no turnout at all," he said, "so I was just stretching my legs at City Hall."

As the 30-day trip nears an end, Boesmann said he hopes to do another motorcycle tour in the future and to be able to publicize his trip better next time.

About 25 people attended the Henrico stop, which included a police escort to the Chickahominy YMCA in Sandston, introductions, refreshments and an exercise class just for those who have Parkinson's. Weekly exer cise classes for people with Parkinson's are held at the John Rolfe YMCA, 2244 John Rolfe Parkway, in western Henrico.

Those attending the event also signed a flag with an outline of the state of Virginia that was presented to Boesmann.

Bikers also rode with Boesmann to Washington.

Cheryl Majeske, a part-time employee at the front desk at the Chickahominy YMCA, 5401 Whiteside Road, heard about Boesmann through the Richmond chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association.

When she checked Boesmann's Web site, she saw that they had something in common.

"I noticed he's a physical therapist and has [young] onset Parkinson's," she said, adding that she is also a therapist and has young-onset Parkinson's.

She asked the YMCA's executive director, Celia Givens, if they could have Boesmann stop there.

"Celia was all in favor," Majeske said, "she was supportive to help -- the Y is also a resource for the community."

Boesmann's mission is to raise awareness and money to donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

His goal is to raise $10,000. He said he has raised about $8,000 so far.

"I think I'm achieving my goal," Boesmann said, adding that he's talked to many bikers and non-bikers along the way about biking and raising awareness about Parkinson's.

Boesmann left for Washington at 2 p.m. yesterday, then planned a stop in Philadelphia before his final stop in New York City on Sunday before returning to Cleveland.

Keith Lewis and his wife, Mary Sullivan, of Lynchburg said they came to the Sandston event because there aren't many people or events in Lynchburg that deal with Parkinson's.

Lewis also has young-onset Parkinson's disease.

"I mean, if he can travel across the country," Sullivan said of Boesmann, "we can certainly get up and make breakfast."

Contact Sarah Alfaham at (804) 649-6435 or salfaham@timesdispatch.com.