Bike MS, Minus One Banana-Seat

Early.

Volunteering means getting up early, 

Wiping the sleep out of your eyes and driving.

Sometimes I drive just a few miles, while other times I travel a distance.

The difference is that even though it's early, and the eye goobers are thick, I feel energized.

There is something about helping others that makes me feel charged up and ready to go.
 

Weird? 

Yes, I know.

But haven't we already established in previous posts that I'm weird?

I wear it like a badge of honor.

A bright, sparkly weirdo badge...and it blinks.

Yeah. Weird.

But there is nothing weird about today's event.

It's filled with amazing people,
raising awareness and money for a something that I pray will go away.

MS- Multiple Sclerosis

I've known and know, way too many people that have and are managing the symptoms. 

But I want a cure.

Until there is a cure, I will volunteer and I will help where I can.

Sadly, I won't be riding a bike.

Now, since we're friends,
or I hope we will be, I'm going to tell you a little secret...

I don't ride bikes.

I know.

Remember we've already establish my high level of weirdness.

I grew up where riding bikes equaled pain.

Eventual pain, because as a clumsy, not so steady girl, pain was inevitable. 

I was going to fall at some point and it would be in gravel.

I have many memories of flicking out gravel from my knees and elbows.

It hurt. Bad.

I hate gravel.

So I tossed aside my banana-seat bike
for something much more steady...a horse.

In my world horses were safer
and I was less likely to fall into gravel.

That was enough of an argument,
plus, the bike would also be safe from me and my wobbly balance.

 

So as I watched riders zip down country lanes, steady and confident...

Leaning around curves, pedaling up and down hills..

I felt honored to see that kind of bravery.

People, there was gravel, EVERYWHERE!

In front, behind, and along each side...gravel! 

I shiver at the thought, but they wave, cheer,
and encourage one another to complete the course...
whether there was gravel or not.

Yes, the countryside was beautiful.
There were acres of wheat, corn, and hay fields stretching the route,
but the riders, now that was truly beautiful. 

Each time I volunteer, I still get this overwhelming feeling of pride.

Not in myself. Geesh, I'm afraid of gravel and admit it! (Embarrassing.)

The pride I feel is for our community.

It is a beautiful thing that joins together people with single goal and vision...

to ride 30-100 miles to raise money so that we can be one step closer to a world without MS.

They come from all walks of life and
very different reasons for way they participate, 

but the end is the same. 

They want change.

They want to bring healing, hope,
and love to everyone effected by MS.

How awesome is that?

See, it's amazing and I'm proud to be living here.

Now it's your turn...

Whether you're a professional biker,
a weekend warrior,
or a bell-ringing farmer's market rider,
you should join in the fun!
Maybe start practicing for next year...
it's not to early.

If you're like me and have a strange phobia to bikes,
can we be friends?

Hehe...just kidding.

Wait, can we?
I can always have another in my weirdo army.

No, seriously, no matter what the nature of the event, volunteer!

You'll be a part of something fabulous. 

But, the best part is that you meet these big-hearted,
beautiful people that inspire.

It's the best way I can think of to spend a day.

Won't you join me?

To find out more information about the amazing work happening at Oregon: National MS Society.

Trust me, you'll be inspired to help in your own way...even if you don't ride a bike.