Cyclists 'Escape to Lake' to help combat MS
JACKSON TWP — The parking lot in front of Seneca Valley High School served as the launch point for a tradition renewed Saturday morning.
Three hundred cyclists gathered there before embarking on the Bike MS: Escape to the Lake journey, an event which raises money for multiple sclerosis research and to support people living with the disease, which attacks the nerves throughout the body.
This is the 36th year for the event, which was one of many casualties of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
“We're excited to get back together,” said Chris Pfeiffer, the event's manager. “A lot of these people support this event every year. They train together and become family. Last year, it felt like we took a year off from a family reunion.”
Cyclists chose one of two routes to follow. The longer one, 73 miles, took riders to Grove City and back while a 46-mile ride went to Slippery Rock and back. Both courses were completed in one day using back roads and included a section along Lake Arthur's North Shore.“The course is challenging, there's some elevation with the hills,” Pfeiffer said.In years past, the event took place over two days.Organizers went ahead with planning this year's event, though it wasn't until a month ago that it was a definite to be held.Registration fee to participate ranged from $20 to $70, depending on when a person signed up, which could be done as early as January.“That money covers the cost of logistics to hold the event,” Pfeiffer said. “Each rider is asked to raise a minimum of $300 through donations from family, friends ... but we have participants who have raised over $1,000.“Our goal is to raise $275,000 this year, and I believe we hit it.”
Saturday's ride provided participants a chance to support a worthy cause while feeding their passion for cycling.“I've met some wonderful people due to my involvement,” Pfeiffer said. “It has brought me closer to the cause, but some riders do have a personal connection to MS. A lot of them are riding for a family member or a friend.”Count Butler resident Tom Clendaniel among them. He was riding in the event for the 14th time.“A man named Bill Gallagher got me involved with this in 1997. He rode in this until he was in his 70s,” said Clendaniel, who estimated it would take him four hours to complete the 46-mile course. “My friend's wife has MS, so do two coworkers of mine.”Emily Skamla, an ultra runner from Cranberry Township, saw a long bike ride as a good way to stay in shape for her competitions, which can reach 50 miles in length.“My uncle, Albert Lee, is a biker, and he knew about this event,” Skamla said. “I grew up in Harmony, so I know the area well.“I think the cause is super-important. A lot of people don't know much about MS.”Lee, from Sewickley, biked this event before, but it's been a while.“Thirty years,” he said. “Emily and I started getting out and doing things together a few years ago. We were looking for an event and here we are.”Between 75 and 100 volunteers worked the event, including medical volunteers and those who handed out water at one of four rest stops.
