Bike ride aims to raise $275K for MS research
Despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999, Gibsonia resident Cathy Schantz still was able to fulfill one of her dreams of riding a motorcycle.
In 2008, Schantz bought a Can-Am Spyder, a three-wheeled motorized cycle that she can ride even with multiple sclerosis, which has weakened the left side of her body.
“It's a semi-automatic Spyder, so the brake is on the right side, and I don't have to raise my left foot,” Schantz said. “I am fortunate because my MS doesn't make me completely immobile.”
While Schantz rides the bike for leisure, she also uses it to volunteer at the annual Bike MS: Escape to the Lake, which takes cyclists on a route from Seneca Valley High School through Slippery Rock and Grove City and back.
Chris Pfeiffer, Bike MS manager, said 500 people participated in the 2019 ride, and the organization raised more than $500,000. This year, the Bike MS organization is expecting about 300 riders and at least 75 volunteers, and has a donation goal of $275,000, which is raised by participating teams.
The event was canceled last year because of COVID-19. In order to keep it as safe as possible this year, the 36th annual ride will be one day instead of two.
“This year is only a one-day ride as we build the ride back, host the safest ride possible and continue to raise needed funds for the cause,” Pfeiffer said.
The ride has a 46-mile route and a 73-mile route. The 46-mile route takes riders to Plain Grove and back to Seneca Valley High School, while the 73-mile one goes to Grove City and back. Both take riders past Moraine State Park and Lake Arthur.
The 73-mile ride starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, and the 46-mile one starts at 9 a.m. Participants might see Schantz waving them through an intersection along the route.
“Every year, we support them with volunteers to do the intersection,” Schantz said. “Since I have had MS, I thought maybe this is where I could do my part.”
Schantz said she always enjoys volunteering with her husband at the ride, in part because she gets to speak directly with participants.
“I can stop them and say, 'This is what you are doing for me,'” Schantz said. “It's to raise money, so others don't have to go through MS. It's a fight for a cure.”
People can register to volunteer or participate in Bike MS: Escape to the Lake by Thursday at noon, and find more information at NationalMSSociety.org.
