Ask Me Why I Ride

OCTOBER 1-2 2011
Ventura, CA
San Buenaventura Park

   Although I got my first bike when I was in college, it wasn't until a few years ago that I really began riding with a purpose. I don't know what I was thinking when I was a student and got an apartment four miles off campus. I couldn't afford a car and catching rides to campus was sometimes hit-or-miss. But I did have a bike--a beautiful bright lime green one with 21 speeds and drop handlebars. The bike shop guy said it had the same components as the 'name-brand' bike, but it was cheaper--and I wouldn't have known the difference anyway!

   Riding that bike, and playing on the university basketball and softball teams, helped get my resting heart-rate down to 44. And when I moved to California after graduation, I packed that bike with me.

   But somewhere along the way, it was lost, stolen, given away, or sold at a garage sale. I didn't have another bike until over 10 years ago, when my friend Lisa challenged me to start riding again, and taught me the basics. How to use clips, cornering, cadence--we all start somewhere. Using clips was probably the most difficult. I couldn't seem to get un-clipped and get a foot down successfully without falling!

   I improved slowly and riding became a release of sorts; it felt good to be on a bike!

  Then, one day, Lisa called to say she had been diagnosed with a disease called multiple sclerosis. It was April, 2005. MS affects the nervous system by destroying the myelin sheath and the progress of the disease varies in individuals. According to the National MS Society:

• 400,000 Americans are living with this unpredictable disease
• MS affects 2.1 million people worldwide
• Annual economic cost of MS in the U.S. is approximately $28 billion

   

   While working through the effects of the disease, Lisa began to challenge those around her to step up and join a team to raise money for the National MS Society, riding in the annual BikeMSSocal fundraising event, held in Ventura, California. The team, called TeamChainGang (www.TeamChainGang.com), last year raised over $20,000 and was recognized as "The Most Spirited Team" at the October, 2010, event. Check out our picture (below) and maybe you can see why!!

Ventura, CA.--TeamChainGang celebrates a successful ride at Bike MS-Coastal Challenge in Oct. 2010.

   So, why do I ride? I ride to raise awareness of the devastating effects of MS; to raise funds to fight this disease and make a difference in the lives of those stricken with MS. Any contributions you can make will go to support education, advocacy, research and local programs that will enhance the quality of life for people with MS and their families. It's a privilege to 'pay it forward' and fight this disease by simply riding a bike, and I'm grateful to be healthy enough to do that.

Mission Statement for Team Chain Gang:  A cycling team dedicated to making a difference for people living with MS and to raise awareness about Multiple Sclerosis.

If you would like to make a donation, please click on www.bikeMSSocal.org and locate TeamChainGang or my link: http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/CALBikeEvents?px=6112310&pg=personal&fr_id=16936

Why do I ride? I ride to raise awareness about the devastating effects of MS. I'm grateful for your support and prayers.