More than 100 cyclists dropped by Innisfail for lunch Sunday during a near perfect day at the Innisfail Library Learning Centre for the 2014 Johnson MS Bike Tour on June 8.
The Red Deer MS Society set a fundraising goal of $136,500 for the annual event last weekend, monies that will go into ongoing medical research for new treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS).
Last weekend's event saw cyclists travel between 140 and 150 kilometres from Red Deer to Lacombe and Red Deer to Innisfail over two days. The cyclists stopped in Innisfail in the late morning of June 8.
“This year, we have 105 registered bikers,” said Ellen Geddes, event coordinator for the Central Alberta MS Chapter office, which is based out of Red Deer. “To date our bikers have raised upwards of $114,000 with more to come in yet. Donations come in for at least a month after the event so we will not know the total until mid-July.”
According to the 2014 Johnson MS Bike Red Deer website, the top fundraiser, Tara Frisken, has brought in close to $16,000 with the top team, the Invincycles, at nearly $30,000.
“Our bikers, in addition to helping fund innovative programs and services as well as groundbreaking research, can also earn rewards for their efforts,” said Geddes. “Rewards for raising certain dollar thresholds receive T-shirts, gift cards, and top performers (above $10,000) receive a trip to the Tour of Champions in Denver, Colorado or gift cards from the Co-op or Subway.”
She noted the average biker raised between $800 and $1,100 in 2013 and looked forward to seeing the same this year.
“The weather is almost perfect today,” said Red Deer lawyer Chris Richards. “There is a little bit of a headwind but it is far better than last year.”
Red Deer College teacher Keith McDonald added that last year they were hailed on, rained on, and blown around by the wind but noted this year was a vast improvement.
Participants ranged in age from the late teens to the early '80s.
“There is a team of grandmothers riding today,” said Geddes. “The oldest is 83 and as far as we know they are doing fine.”
Among the riders, Red Deer College Queens hockey players Laura Solomons and Ashley Graff were feeling the draining physical exertion from a second day of long-distance biking.
“This is not our usual sport,” said Solomons. “We are hockey players but want to give back. Our training for the ride has been minimal, a couple of rides out to Innisfail and some biking in Red Deer.”
Solomons raised $1,670 while Graff was able to gather close to $2,000 for her efforts.
Dr. Morne Odenaal, from the Red Deer Clearview Medical Clinic, considers himself an amateur cyclist.
“I am definitely not a serious bicyclist,” said Odenaal, as he and his two cycle mates headed off back to Red Deer after arriving in Innisfail at the head of the pack at around 10 a.m.
Louise Zanussi, of Red Deer, had a special reason to participate in the Johnson MS Bike Tour.
“I have a good friend who was diagnosed with MS last year,” said Zanussi. “Over the last while, I am becoming more of a bicycler, so the MS Bike tour combines both of my interests. I get to help someone I love to be with something I enjoy doing. It's a win-win.”
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, which is composed of the brain and spinal cord. The disease attacks the myelin which is a protective covering wrapped around the nerves of the central nervous system.
For more information on the MS Society, go to mssociety.ca or call 403-346-0290.
