BIKE THE US FOR MS
On May 28, 2014, a group of 24 of us will set out to ride our bicycles across the USA. The plan is to dip our rear wheels in the Atlantic at Bar Harbor and our front tires in the Pacific waters north of Seattle 69 days later--a total of 4295 miles, averaging 70 miles per day. There will be 7 rest days interspersed along the way. I would be much more pleased with twice that many.
In 2013, I rode across Florida, Georgia and N. Carolina. The average across NC was 80 miles per day for 7 days. That was 10 more per day than this ride will average—but I was quite happy when that one finished. There likely will be an even higher level of happiness when this one is completed!
All of us will be riding in support of a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. My sister and several of my friends have MS and it pleases me that I can at least do some small thing to help find a cure. I will be riding for Marion, Dolly, Doc, Pam, Evie and Dawn.
Accompanying me on the journey will be 5 very good buddies that have been with me since birth. They will help me climb the hills and keep an even pace over each day’s ride. They have never let me down in the past and I am counting on them not to do so this time. They are my 2 legs, 2 lungs and my heart. If they do their part, we should all arrive in Seattle together.
In the past, I have always stayed in hotels but this ride will require camping. Having never camped before, I have borrowed a tent and purchased a sleeping bag and other essential equipment for the journey. This inconvenience represents only a small sample of what an MS patient endures daily and it will make the trip that much more meaningful.
Our support team will carry our gear so we won’t have the burden of extra weight when climbing the hills (mountains). They will provide a space measuring 30” x 18” x 16” into which we must fit all of our belongings. It will be a challenge to fit all of my “Stuff” into such a small area—but it must!
Several friends have donated to the MS society in support of my ride. Those who gave their names have been thanked personally. However, a big Thank You to those of you who donated anonymously as well. I will cover all of my expenses for the trip so you can be confident that all of your contributions will go directly toward MS research.
After first telling me that I should have my head examined, many friends have told me that they will be praying for my safe completion of this ride. I appreciate those prayers and, while others in dire situations deserve assistance more than I, God is great enough to handle all of our needs.
It should be a fun adventure—and I can’t wait to get started!
“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
--Ernest Hemingway
