Why I Ride

Clay and Bruce

This was my 4th year participating in the MS Bike Ride from Richmond to Williamsburg.

I ride to support a former colleague’s husband, Bruce, as a part of Team BRUCE (Bikers Ride Until a Cure Exists). In addition, my sister-in-law, Susan, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2006.  I ride to support her as well.  My friend, Sonia, has had MS for years as well, but her spirit is still strong.  She joked about painting flames on her walker.  I ride to support her too.

Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another. Today, new treatments and advances in research are giving new hope to people affected by the disease.  I ride…in hopes that there will be a cure.

This year, I decided to go all out! I went for two days and biked more than 150 miles.  You think that sounds bad? Well it is, but it is nothing compared to what someone with MS endures on a regular basis.  Bruce, after whom the team is named, can no longer pedal a bicycle so for the past few years we have taken turns helping him towards his goal of starting and finishing every race.  He has a ‘chariot’ and others of us have the honor of helping move his chariot toward his goal.  We may not finish the fastest, but it is still a great joy just to cross the finish line each year.  In the video below, you will see Bruce and I together starting at 3:05:

http://blog.metrostarsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/MS_Society.jpg

Not only was the physical ride completed successfully, but our support helped the National MS Society raise over $320,000!

Visit the National MS Society website to learn more about Multiple Sclerosis.

-Clay Calvert