Attention all Wheel Brothers! We know you have been waiting for it, so here it is! The Bike MS Valero Ride the Rim interview! April M. Brownlee took time out of her busy schedule of getting this race ready, and gave us all the best details about this sweet ride on June 21st and 22nd!
Why join your ride?
Bike MS is the ride of a lifetime, no matter which Bike MS across the country you choose. But Bike MS: Valero Ride the Rim 2014 is an especially extraordinary ride because of its focal point, PaloDuroCanyon. Day 1 is a 104 mile loop that takes cyclists around the rim of the canyon, giving them views of the west, north and east rims. The east rim is particularly amazing! It is 10 miles of absolute breathtaking beauty. But those 10 miles also include a category 3 climb and descent. We provide tons of support to help cyclists of all skill levels, including plenty of SAG opportunities if they don’t feel comfortable riding up or down the steep climbs and we have official finishes at 35 and 75 miles along with the century finish. We’ve really worked to boost our finish line this year, adding a hamburger cook-off, ice cream service, battle of the bands, vendor expo, jersey contest, and silent auction. On day 2, cyclists ride to the entrance of PaloDuroCanyonState Park, where shuttles take them down into the state park. They then enjoy a cowboy breakfast in Pioneer Amphitheater, which is home to the outdoor musical drama, “Texas.” Many have said the day 2 breakfast is the highlight of the event.
How long has your ride been around?
This is the 27th year for Bike MS in the Texas Panhandle, but only the second year for our PaloDuroCanyon route.
What was the motivation behind starting the ride and who benefits from it?
Bike MS is a long-standing official event of the National MS Society. Our mission is to mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. Our vision is a world free of MS. The Amarillo office of the National MS Society has been in operation since the 1950’s and we held our first Bike MS event in 1987.
How have they been able to utilize funds in the past?
Our national organization has a very thorough and well laid out timeline for designated initiatives, which includes focus on research and the development of new treatments. Additionally, we offer scholarships, vital programs and services for those living with MS, their families and caregivers, and a wonderful direct financial assistance program to help offset the extreme cost of living with MS. Current estimates say it costs about $70,000 per person, per year to live with MS. In 2013, our region funded 879 financial assistance requests totaling more than $300,000.
Logistically can you give us an idea of how many volunteers, finances and planning it takes to put on this event?
To support our 250+ riders we have a volunteer force of about 300 people. That includes nurses and ham radio operators at every rest stop, law enforcement support at every intersection and key areas of the ride, rest stop crews, route crews, SAG drivers, massage therapists and more. We have a great planning committee that meets throughout the year and helps leverage community resources and contacts to pull this event together with the attention to detail and focus on safety that Bike MS is known for.
Do you have a map of the start facility showing registration, parking, all toilets, water/snacks, start line?
What is the most rewarding experience of hosting this event?
I almost want to cry each year when I head out on the route the morning of the ride and see our hundreds of volunteers not only in place, but excited for the day. We get so many compliments on our volunteer support. I’m always amazed and humbled to see hundreds of people show up and do such an amazing job. We never have issues with people not showing up when they’re supposed to. They always show and they’re always excited and it just amazes me. I think that means we’ve done a good job of providing a great volunteer experience, as well as a great participant experience. But also that we’ve done a good job of communicating what the National MS Society is all about and why those living with MS need their support.
What is the average number of participants?
250
What can folks do to support you and your mission?
Ride, donate and volunteer!
Do you ride, and if so, what kind of bicycle do you have? I ride recreationally with friends and family on a Specialized hybrid. I can’t ride my own event, but I’d love to ride a Bike MS event someday when I can carve out some time. I’m a total wanna-be and in complete awe of our cyclists.
Anything else you’d like to tell folks about this ride? This ride is difficult. For many, finishing the full 104 miles on day 1 is a bucket list item because of the climbs, the scenery, and the challenges of the PaloDuroCanyon area terrain. Several people last year said it was the toughest ride they’d ever completed, but also the most rewarding because of that challenge. However, we offer enough route support and official finishes at 35 and 75 miles that this route, though challenging, can accommodate any rider of any level and still give them an opportunity to take in the gorgeous red rock views, so there really is something for everyone.
CLICK HERE – for more info on this awesome ride!
If you attend this event, and want to give us a ride report of how it went, please let us know! We would be happy to share your experiences, and make you a WheelBrothers superstar!