Hector Picard, man with no arms, biking from Florida to New York

Twenty years ago, Hector Picard lost both his arms in an electrocution accident at a transformer substation. Now he's biking from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to New York City, New York.

"I just try to focus on being centered on the bike," Picard told NBC station WECT-TV during a stop Sunday in Wilmington, N.C.

"I do actually hold on with my stump with just my arm, and I tend to get a lot of stress in the right side," Picard said. "But it's not something I can't do."

Picard's bike has modified brakes — "I use my right knee to apply the brakes," he said — a special gear shift, a drink compartment and other custom devices that help him navigate the roads with the part of his arm that remains.

Picard started biking a few years ago when he took up triathlons. He felt confident running and swimming, but the bike element was a challenge.

"I had to figure out a way to do that and I just got hooked," he said.

Picard has competed in more than 50 triathlons since 1999.

He's chronicling his 1,500-mile, 16-day journey on his website, Don't Stop Living, where he's raising money for the I Will Foundation, a charity that helps physically challenged individuals reach athletic goals.

"This is my journey celebrating 20 years of my accident," Picard told WSVN-TV, adding, "I enjoy what I'm doing. I enjoy competing. I enjoy challenging myself … If I can motivate others, that's great."

A documentary film crew is following Picard's ride.