There’s no place like Pittsburg for the 25 cyclists riding from coast to coast as part of Bike the U.S. for MS.
“Cyclists say Kansas is the friendliest state on our route. Without a doubt,” said founder and director Don Fraser, Blacksburg, Va.
Bike the U.S. for MS is in its fourth year of raising funds for Multiple Sclerosis research by riding from Yorktown, Va., to San Francisco.
Each rider is asked to raise $3,000 before embarking on the two-month, 3,800-mile tour. Nearly $1,000 of each rider’s fee is used to fund the expenses of the ride. The group has raised roughly $90,000 so far, with a goal of $100,000, to be donated to the James Q. Miller MS Clinic in Charlottesville, Va.
“My mother has had MS since 1983. She is 64 now,” Fraser said. “I’ve seen her health decrease over time and the treatments have changed over time. The work people do has a tangible effect. Just building a ramp, it’s incredible.”
In 2007, Fraser and some friends left Seattle for Maine on what would be the inaugural ride. Now, in its fourth year, the number of riders have doubled and the amount of money has quadrupled even since last year.
But the riders do more than just raise money. Even after riding 70-80 miles a day, the riders will often get to a stopping point and perform a community service project, such as building a wheelchair ramp.
Just ask Gina Peak. She’s been volunteering to help feed the group as it passes through the region for the last two years.
“Last year, one of the riders said, ‘Let me help you cook,’” Peak said. “i told them, ‘You’ve been riding your bike for 30 days. Sit down and enjoy this.’ I’m sure this group will be similar.”
Peak has been diagnosed with MS, and she said she sees the benefit of the ride at every opportunity.
“This really raises awareness, and it’s giving people hope,” Peak said. “There is someone out there doing something. Research is the key. I’m not sure it’ll be solved in my lifetime, but I’d like to see it happen.”
The group will head to Chanute today to see some of its work in action. The group will see a wheelchair ramp it funded in conjunction with the MS Society.
Peak said the cross-country trip shows what a group of dedicated people can do to for those who have MS.
“This is the type of group that makes you see the good in people out there,” she said. “Most of the riders might not have a connection to MS. We’ll have some with MS talk to the group at dinner a little bit. By the time the riders end their journey, they’re going to have a connection to MS.”
Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 132.
