During the last weekend in June, I joined my company’s team (The Perficient Peddlers) to participate in the Bike MS Colorado event to fundraise for those impacted by Multiple Sclerosis.
While cycling across the roads of northern Colorado for over 150 miles, so many things came to mind. In this blog, I thought I would share some of the insights that I’ve been reflecting on since the ride, while also sharing a bit about the event and MS. (Consider it a personal PSA – Public Service Announcement)
Here is some background information from the MS Society and Bike MS websites.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. (Here is a quick video on What is MS – National MS Society)
Bike MS is the largest fundraising bike series in the world. Each year, nearly 75,000 cyclists and more than 6,000 teams ride together to change the world for people with MS.
Bike MS is the fundraising cycling series of the National MS Society and raises more money than any other cycling event for any other cause. To date, Bike MS cyclists, volunteers, and donors have raised more than $1.3 billion to stop MS in its tracks, restore what’s been lost, and end MS forever.
I learned on the ride that the Colorado event is currently the third largest Bike MS event and it happens to start and finish a block from my neighborhood.
For years, I would watch the teams mobilize and gather early on Saturday morning. Energy and excitement run high as the music plays, team names are announced, and they head out on the road and make the trek up to Fort Collins.
Then on Sunday afternoon, the riders come in for the finish. It’s usually a warm afternoon in June and the final incline of the ride is at the corner of our neighborhood. I would get a first-hand look at the grit, tenacity, and varying level of experience (and conditioning) of the riders. Some are smiling, others are not. They are just minutes from the end of their 150+ mile ride.
So it has been on my bucket list to participate in the event and I decided this was the year to join the ride. I am so glad that I did and when I look back on the experience, there are a few insights that come to mind.
It’s supposed to be challenging: These events are built to challenge your mind and body so that you can have an appreciation for those that struggle with diseases like this. My father is dealing with Parkinson’s disease, another progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement and has changed his lifestyle in the past few years. These diseases don’t just impact a person physically, but it impacts the mind and takes a toll on their confidence and overall worldview.
It’s not that hard to unify around the right causes: Diseases like this don’t target political affiliations, corporations, or any other category we tend to put ourselves in. MS impacts people across ages, genders, and ethnicities. This came to mind while riding amongst a diverse group of people wearing all sorts of jerseys representing different companies and organized groups. There were oil and gas companies like Anadarko and Noble Energy peddling next to NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). I also noticed Johns Mansville, Ball Corporation, Left Hand Brewery, Charles Schwab, and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. It seemed like I was always behind someone that was part of Patty’s Pack, Meatfight.com, or Crank for a Cure. No matter what brands we represented on our backs, there was no doubt about what we were all riding for.
Don’t forget the supporting cast: When you think about events like this, you picture the thousands of cyclists and active participants. However, this was a well-supported ride with volunteers providing food and beverages along the course to ensure us non-elite athletes could make it through. There were volunteers directing traffic, fixing flats, and providing bicycle maintenance at the stops and on the course. Sponsors giving away free goods and it was a well run and organized event and the support was amazing. Those struggling with diseases like this also rely greatly on their supporting cast. The disease impacts the lives of everyone around them.
Mixing pods raises the most money: I was cycling next to co-workers, friends, and strangers. When I made my request for fundraising support, I tapped into each of my pods and that helped me meet the fundraising goal. It wasn’t just a work thing or a personal thing. We are all a part of multiple pods, so don’t be afraid to mix them to get the maximum value in whatever you are doing.
Spend the money on high-quality bike shorts: Fortunately, I learned this lesson before this event. There are some things that it’s ok to go with a cheap alternative. However, bike shorts is not one of them.
Gratitude and Attitude: Most of all, I’m grateful for the ability and capability to participate in events like this. There are a lot of people suffering in this world and just the ability to put on a bike helmet (and those shorts I just mentioned above) is something to be grateful. Something so simple like riding a bike can influence my attitude and perspective on how lucky many of us are. It was a reminder not to take anything for granted.
I’m looking forward to a few more events this summer to support other causes including, Run the Rocks to support the American Lung Association and the Denver Broncos 7K to support the National Sports Center for the Disabled.
Maybe I’ll see you there, or somewhere.
