Why We Ride

Bike MS is more than an event; it's an experience. Read stories from our participants and volunteers about what Bike MS means to them and share your story.

 

Mighty Striders are Making a Mighty Impact

Toni Colvin began her journey with MS in 2004. After two years of tests and multiple doctor visits, she was presented with a diagnosis: multiple sclerosis. Determined not to let MS bring her down, Toni began pushing herself to try new things and accomplish goals on her bucket list. Her resolve to live life to the fullest eventually led her to Bike MS.

Toni started team Mighty Striders at Bike MS: Coastal Challenge 2012 with 6 team members, and her story was featured in the Bakersfield Californian newspaper. Another Bakersfield resident, Hazel Bergtholdt, whose uncle had MS, read the article and sought out Toni at the ride. Together, they decided that the best way to maximize their efforts in 2013 was to join forces and create an even mightier team. Mighty Striders already has 37 team members this year.

The Mighty Striders are focused on making a serious impact while having a great time. Their goals include raising $10,000 to get a team tent and having team members on every route option during the ride. Their first team meeting brought cyclists of all ages and abilities and they found that there were a lot of connections to MS within their group. The teams aims to host at least one event per month. Their debut fundraiser was an Oscar Party, which raised over $800 and caught the attention of local media. Other fundraisers include hosting booths and raffles at Bakersfield events, partnering with restaurants for giveback nights, collaborating with the Walk MS team to hold yard sales, and doing what they do best: having fun!

Bike MS is more than an event for Toni, Hazel and the team; it’s a chance to stay active, spread awareness and raise funds for a cause that has touched so many of their teammates. In fact, in 2011, Toni’s 39 year old daughter was diagnosed with MS. Toni said, “My symptoms are different than my daughter’s but I feel like I need to do everything I can to be an encouragement for her.” She continued, “[Doing this event] makes me feel better and more like I’m doing something help eliminate MS eventually. Before my diagnosis, I’d never done a half marathon but now I’ve completed five or six. I’d never ridden 100 miles before but I’ve done that twice now.”

And so the Mighty Striders move forward, increasing awareness and raising money as they prepare to tackle 160 miles in October.

Mighty Stiders 2012


"Hard at play while the symptoms are away."

Matt Bullard is a 39 year old father of four, husband, brother and son. Matt was diagnosed with MS in August 2012. His first symptom of MS was double vision which thankfully has subsided. Since then he has been symptom free and we are deeply grateful for that. Despite having MS, Matt lives a healthy and active life.
Matt enjoyed riding bikes even before he was diagnosed with MS. He rides every week both on the roads and down mountains. Two days after Matt was diagnosed, he learned about Bike MS. Since a 100 mile ride had always been something Matt aspired to do, he was excited at the thought of participating in a ride that would be so personal to him.

After announcing to his friends and family his recent diagnosis, it was easy to recruit members for his Bike MS team. Matt contacted his friends and family on Facebook and asked everyone to consider joining his team. Thirteen people responded and signed up to support him. Having a fundraising goal of $5,000 Matt asked everyone he knew to consider donating money to the cause. Friends and family were very generous in their giving. Matt was surprised at how generous people were. He was very grateful for their generosity. Matt’s Bike MS team was able to raise over $6,000 last year. This year his goal is to have a twenty person team and raise $10,000.

For Matt, Bike MS is an event that he looks forward to all year. Bike MS brings loved ones together to bring awareness to the disease and it also is a way to spend a day doing a fun, physical activity together as a team of friends, all the while supporting a wonderful cause. Matt’s Bike MS team, Team SCV, will be having a Pancake & Waffle Breakfast fundraiser on Friday, March 22, 2013 from 8-10am at 13903 Maryton Ave., Santa Fe Springs, Ca. 90670. Everyone is invited to attend and enjoy a delicious breakfast for only $5.00. For more information, please contact Matt at mbullardscv@aol.com. Help Matt reach his $10,000 goal.

teamscv


It's Time to Stop MS NOW

David Shaul of Team Long Beach shares why Bike MS is important to him: 

"I raise money and participate in Bike MS (first time rider) because I have known people in my life with MS for all my 51 years and it's time to stop that! Growing up, my Uncle George Hadcock had MS for 25 years before his death. Then, 25 years ago, my oldest friend in the world, Barbara Gokey Perkins, who I was put in the crib with (our mothers were also best friends) was diagnosed with MS. I watched Barb's almost 20 year struggle with the disease up until her death 5 years ago. It was horrible to lose a friend at what was supposed to be the prime of her life after watching the disease wreak havoc on her. Barb was the closest thing I ever had to a sister and the loss was huge. I miss her every day.

"Bernice Detig, Development Coordinator at the National MS Society, and I trained last year for the AIDS/LifeCycle ride and during one of our training rides she told me about Bike MS. I instantly knew I had to do it and shared some stories with her about my dear friend, Barb. Facebook has put me in touch with many people from my hometown including childhood friends who also knew Barb. The support has been incredible and I am thrilled to ride in her honor. I am still VERY close to Barb's mom and sister, who still live in my hometown of Herkimer, New York. I can't wait to take on Bike MS and have a rest stop named after BARBARA GOKEY PERKINS. I can hear her infectious laughter now at the news of hear my team will have a porta potty all to ourselves thanks to her."

David Shaul and Team Long Beach


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