Bike MS PGA TOUR Cycle to the Shore
Donation protected
No one invites MS into their lives, but it shows up anyway, and it always wears out its welcome. MS barged in on my dad over six years ago, and even though he has passed away, the unfortunate presence of the debilitating disease lingers. In an effort to address the grief I’ll always have for the loss of my dad and to address the injustice of MS and its effects on those diagnosed with it, I’m going to ride 150 miles along the coast of Florida in the Bike MS: PGA TOUR Cycle to the Shore 2016. I’ll be amongst my sister Corrie, Kenyatta and other riders who wish to support people living with MS and their families and to one day, see a cure.
Every time I hop on a bike to train, I remember my dad and how he loved the outdoors. When I am climbing those gnarly San Francisco hills, I remember how in sickness and in health, he busted his ass; he struggled and he overcame. My dad couldn’t beat MS, but participating in this race allows us to keep fighting back, deal with and refuse to accept its inevitable presence and the hardship it brings.
This ride is a journey that allows me to act, to react, to associate some kind of action with an unbearable pain and sense of injustice. It allows me to do something versus suffering idly. It provides me with a community of people who have also suffered, who understand and who refuse to remain still.
A dear friend has lent me her hybrid bicycle, on which I’ve been able to kick off my training with local cycling groups. I would have never gotten serious about making this happen had I not had her help getting on a bike and just going (Thanks Marsha!). I’m up to 50 mile rides and am quickly outgrowing the bike that was generously provided to me. I need to graduate to a road bike to prepare for the 150 mile ride and to continue to train safely.
I’ve got a lot of work to do before October and could use some help meeting the economic demands of this new endeavor. A few dollars from a bunch of people would help me fundraise for groundbreaking research focused on stopping MS progression and ending MS forever and support programs and services helping people affected by MS live their best lives. Your contribution will also help me purchase a roadbike and the propper cycling equipment that will take me 150 miles across the finish line and beyond.
I can feel your love and support in many other ways, so please don’t feel any pressure to participate. I appreciate you listening to my story, and I know you all care! Any help that comes my way will be generous addition to what you already share with me. I will keep you posted on how training goes!
Love from SF,
Katie Jo
Every time I hop on a bike to train, I remember my dad and how he loved the outdoors. When I am climbing those gnarly San Francisco hills, I remember how in sickness and in health, he busted his ass; he struggled and he overcame. My dad couldn’t beat MS, but participating in this race allows us to keep fighting back, deal with and refuse to accept its inevitable presence and the hardship it brings.
This ride is a journey that allows me to act, to react, to associate some kind of action with an unbearable pain and sense of injustice. It allows me to do something versus suffering idly. It provides me with a community of people who have also suffered, who understand and who refuse to remain still.
A dear friend has lent me her hybrid bicycle, on which I’ve been able to kick off my training with local cycling groups. I would have never gotten serious about making this happen had I not had her help getting on a bike and just going (Thanks Marsha!). I’m up to 50 mile rides and am quickly outgrowing the bike that was generously provided to me. I need to graduate to a road bike to prepare for the 150 mile ride and to continue to train safely.
I’ve got a lot of work to do before October and could use some help meeting the economic demands of this new endeavor. A few dollars from a bunch of people would help me fundraise for groundbreaking research focused on stopping MS progression and ending MS forever and support programs and services helping people affected by MS live their best lives. Your contribution will also help me purchase a roadbike and the propper cycling equipment that will take me 150 miles across the finish line and beyond.
I can feel your love and support in many other ways, so please don’t feel any pressure to participate. I appreciate you listening to my story, and I know you all care! Any help that comes my way will be generous addition to what you already share with me. I will keep you posted on how training goes!
Love from SF,
Katie Jo
Organizer
Katie McCoy
Organizer
San Francisco, CA