9TH ANNUAL IN

NEW BERN, NORTH CAROLINA

I made it folks but it's getting tougher at age 80 trying to hang in with large groups of young cyclists moving along at 20 mph.

I was surprised to find my stats about the same as last year although it was the first year that I didn't cycle 100 miles (Century trip) on the first day. 

Saturday September 12 - 75 miles:

Great weather with temperature in the 80s. My saddle average was fine at the beginning with 18.6 mph at rest stop #1, which I bypassed, and 18.3 mph at rest stop #2.  But from thereon, I often became exhausted and had to drop out of groups and go it alone. This resulted in my overall saddle average dropping to 15.5 mph for the 75 miles. I also developed intermittent leg cramps at 68 miles that slowed me down for the last few miles of the tour. 

I returned home exhausted as usual, showered and took a long nap and missed going back the Convention Center for the hi-carb buffet.

Sunday September 13 - 76.9 miles:

What a screwy start from Union Point Park. The lead group went the wrong way and hundreds of cyclists followed as we wandered around on numerous streets in the vicinity of the library. We finally returned to the start but the mistake added over an extra mile to the trip. I did fine hanging in with fast groups all the way to Brices Creek and Pollocksville, but after that we turned into the wind and had to cycle on very rough roads so I often found myself riding alone. I was lucky that no leg cramps developed, which for some reason never seem to occur on the 2nd day of the Tour.              

Click Here to see photos I took with a cheap throwaway camera

Below is my original web page soliciting sponsors for the 2009 MS Bike Tour

          Dave at Sunday start of 2008 MS Bike Tour

What Is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. We have two family members with MS.

What Causes MS?

While the cause (etiology) of MS is still not known, scientists believe that a combination of several factors may be involved. Studies are ongoing in the areas of immunology (the science of the body’s immune system), epidemiology (that looks at patterns of disease in the population), and genetics in an effort to answer this important question.

Who Gets MS?

In the United States today, there are approximately 400,000 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) - with 200 more people diagnosed every week. Worldwide, MS is thought to affect more than 2.5 million people.

How is MS Diagnosed?

At this time, there are no symptoms, physical findings or laboratory tests that can, by themselves, determine if a person has MS. The doctor uses several strategies to determine if a person meets the long-established criteria for a diagnosis of MS and to rule out other possible causes of whatever symptoms the person is experiencing. These strategies include a careful medical history, a neurologic exam and various tests, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), evoked potentials (EP) and spinal fluid analysis.

What are Possible Symptoms of MS?

In multiple sclerosis , damage to the myelin in the central nervous system (CNS), and to the nerve fibers themselves, interferes with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and spinal cord and other parts of the body. This disruption of nerve signals produces the primary symptoms of MS, which vary depending on where the damage has occurred.

How is MS Treated?

Although there is still no cure for MS, effective strategies are available to modify the disease course, treat exacerbations (also called attacks, relapses, or flare-ups), manage symptoms, improve function and safety, and provide emotional support. In combination, these treatments enhance the quality of life for people living with MS. Currently there are 6 FDA approved disease modifying agents: Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, Novsantrone, Rebif and Tysabri.

What is Bike MS?

It used to be called MS-150 because it consisted of two 75-mile loops out of New Bern with the option of adding 25 miles each day to make what cyclists call a Century trip. This still exists but a 30 and 50-mile route was added each day so it's now called Bike MS.  Each day's tour starts and ends at Union Point park in New Bern. It's not a race but despite all ages and types of bicycles it's still a race for many. I always start with the lead group and try to hang in as long as I can, usually to the first rest stop around 12 miles - which fast cyclists bypass. 

I need your support

The purpose of the tour is to raise money for research to find a cure (yes , a cure) for the devastating disease of Multiple Sclerosis. What I need are sponsors that will pledge a donation to the MS Society provided I complete the tour, which this year will be 150 miles of cycling in two days. Go to http://pages.suddenlink.net/davew/dave.htm and you'll see my previous MS web pages, how the tours went, and who my sponsors were that contributed $635, $1449, $1562, $1555, $1640, $2747, $2856 and $3389 respectively over the past 8 years.

I know times are tough with rising gas and food prices. My hopes are that I'll get many more folks pledging smaller amounts this year to the MS Society and make up the difference. Any amount is appreciated. How about a couple bucks and I'll add you to my sponsor list. I'm not kidding.

How to pledge via e-mail

To pledge a fixed amount or an amount per mile please send a message to me at davewallace@XXXsuddenlink.net (remove the XXX before sending) with your name, address and the pledge amount. Don't send money to me. I will then post your name (less the amount pledged) on the list of sponsors below and show the cumulative total pledged. 

When and where do I send the money?

When the tour is over in September and I complete 150 miles I will notify everyone by e-mail and update this web page with a narrative on how the tour went. At that time you may send your pledge check to the following address with a note "Sponsor Dave Wallace" on it. If I don't complete the tour you owe nothing. But don't count on it. 

Hey, you can cycle the MS Bike Tour too!

Check out the MS Society's Bike tour web site and register at www.msbike.org  You'll see all ages and about every kind of bike but I must warn you that you'll have a tough time keeping up on a heavy fat-tire bike because most are light weight road bikes with skinny tires. If you have questions about cycling and the tour send them by e-mail to me and I'll try to answer them. Also take a look at my article in the RIVER BENDER titled "Cycling the MS-150 at 77" at http://pages.suddenlink.net/davew/2006%20ms150%20at%2077.htm

Can't cycle long haul? Then how about volunteering to help run the tour by helping at rest stops, sorting, loading supplies or helping at the convention center, etc. Give Phoebe Coggins a call at 1-800-344-4867. 

 MY SPONSOR LIST

All addresses are in North Carolina unless shown otherwise

Buster Bell (Elizabeth Brinson's father)- age 93 in '06 was a regular fan of the  Pickin & Grinin Group when we played at Twin Rivers Mall and a supporter of the MS Bike Tour. Buster passed away on 1/28/07.

PLEDGE AMOUNT TOTAL    = $3,478

                               74 Pledges

       Multiple Sclerosis Society received  = $3,308 (95.1%)

                   Thanks folks for your great support!

NOTE: This was the last year for me cycling the MS Bike Tour. In all 9 years of cycling the tour, never less that 150 miles each year, I completed 10 CENTURY (100 mile) trips and raised a total of $19,141 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, thanks to my many sponsors in River Bend and out of town.    Dave Wallace

Webmaster: Dave Wallace davewallace@XXXsuddenlink.net (remove XXX)

Web page originated: May 23, 2009

Updated: October 9, 2009

Join New Bern Century Cyclists (NBCC) at http://pages.suddenlink.net/davew/nbcc.htm