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Anthony Mestre Why I Ride During this past MS150 biking trip from Tampa to Orlando (184 miles) in two days, I encountered a self-discovery and a personal evaluation of my life. There seems to be something unique about events which test your will power and personal integrity. All of a sudden a ‘clearer’ picture emerges in your head prioritizing the values and other so-called important things in your life. As I pedaled up and down the somewhat endless roll of hills, I realized some important things. Life is short. I may not be on the Earth 100 plus years as I have planned . A passing car, sudden illness or the unknown may end my life tomorrow. What relationships have I truly committed myself to? Do the people in my life know how much I love them? I doubt it. Secondly, I believe laughter cures all alignments. From sore legs to a numb pair of hands to having just fallen off the bike and busted your face, laughter can help ( or maybe it’s about humility). Next, As I look around me, I see people like Don Easterday (53), Edgardo Valentine (43) all having the best time of their lives. I trust I will have the courage and zest for life to squeeze on a pair of biking shorts and ride 150 plus miles when I am “too old to do that.” Last but not least, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to do. That is an amazing concept, isn’t it? I think two of God’s best gifts are personal vision and determination. How else could a person cycle 184 miles in two days a couple of times a year? As I participate in April's ride, I will continue to intentionally think about the purpose of my efforts as well as the 1000 plus other riders dedicated to this cause. So as I spend personal therapy time on my bike , I will remain in awe of the personal and family challenges and opportunities associated with multiple sclerosis. Thanks to the Awopaspicalimey’s for your efforts In raising money for a great cause. -Anthony Mestre
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Scott Tempesta Why I ride I've been on three MS150 rides so you would think I'd be able to nail this down to ONE SOLID reason but, alas, I find myself unable to do so. Year One: (Orlando to Daytona Beach.) This was simple. Peer pressure. Some of my Mountain Biking buddies had done some previous MS rides. They were once again taking on the challenge and tricked me into doing it with them. AWESOME experience even though it POURED rain the entire first day! I can only describe this as the best miserable time I've ever had.
Year Two: (Busch Gardens to Sea World) This one was to relive the magic. The first ride was so challenging, so much work but so rewarding I simply HAD to do it again and as expected it was another great experience. This was the first year I did the Century Ride.
Year Three: (Busch Gardens to Sea World) The Growth Year. This was the year we started AWOPASPICALIMEY and THIS year my motivation was to bring as many people to the experience as possible. This was certainly my most rewarding year by far because so many people were brought into the fold who had a fantastic time IN SPITE of it being the most difficult year ever. The headwinds were insane. This was also the first year that I really appreciated exactly what it was we were doing to help out those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.
So here I am again, preparing for another MS150 season and trying to pin down why I ride and it goes a little something like this...
First of all it's a blast. I honestly enjoy every minute of it. The ride, the dinner, the hotel stay, the friendship and simply being part of something so big. Second is getting people involved. I've talked a lot of people into doing this and seeing their faces cross the finish line is very rewarding. Being able to make this kind of a difference in people's lives is amazing to me. I feel I've been able to inspire (OK, possibly trick) people to do something that they did not feel they were capable of doing and in most cases I feel it's been "life changing". Last but not least is the cause. I'll be honest here. The ride is SOOO much fun and so well organized and supported that the cause has been secondary to me in the past. I never knew anyone with MS before getting involved with this event. Since being active in this, however, I've come across MANY people with MS and the "thank you's" are invaluable. I'm not good at asking for money and would simply pay the minimum contribution JUST to take part in this event if I had to but being able to get so many people involved which, in turn, raises that much more money is certainly a very rewarding experience. The only real downside to this is the amount of money I spend on bike gadgetry! Why do I ride? There are so many reason TO ride it might be better to ask why I would NOT ride.
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I have always wished I could give more to those who have been riding in the MS150. Each year I would be asked to come join in the ride. Each year when asked to ride, I would think about growing up. My father lived with MS. It finally took him from us days before my seventeenth birthday. Nearly every year my father would end up in the hospital for about two weeks. He would be Paralyzed and have to work his way back. He would have to re-learn so much. Learning to feed yourself, to walk, to write when a child had no pressure, but a whole new meaning as an Adult.
That caused a reconsideration. The first choice was right, riding is the right thing to do. There was some work to do to get ready for the ride. More then once while doing training rides I asked myself again, 'why are you doing this'. After getting a few miles of riding I decided it was time to sign up for the MS150 ride. I had been told the mental high after doing something like the MS150 for the first time was un-believable. That
statement barely covers the feelings that flood through you when you realize
you are about to complete something so significant. At the end of the
second day of riding in the MS150, when the team Captain said thank you for
joining, I gave him a hug and thanked him for allowing me to be a part of
the team and part of the MS150.
I may have started out to do the ride
because I know first hand how MS can take its toll on individuals and
families. Of how the effects actually carry to the next generations. Now I
wish to continue to do this. Part of me says, I could do this to recover
some of my youth and maybe loose a few extra pounds. Part of me says, I
could do this to learn to appreciate what I do have, health and family.
Part of me says, I could do this to help provide for those who still suffer
the affects of MS. So as long as I am able to do this, it is a win, win
setup. Thank you for letting me be a part of the team. I will continue to ride each week and to ride in the MS150 hopefully for years and years to come.
Don Easterday |
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