Why I Ride to Defeat ALS

by Marcia Telthorster

Every year, I take my bike out, gather my friends, and participate in The Ride to Defeat ALS. The event is always a terrific and positive day, with routes that are just challenging enough, riders of all ages and experience, and a fantastic end point with Morey’s Piers and Waterparks. Even though the ride itself is such a wonderful event, none of those reasons are why I ride.

I started team Legs for Greg after my husband Greg was diagnosed with ALS. The bike ride was a perfect opportunity to raise money and awareness for the ALS cause. Friends rallied to our side in ways that still surprise me to this day. Riding into Wildwood always leaves me with feelings of pride for completing another course and hope to end this disease.

Team Legs for Greg continued to ride and raise money after my husband passed away. Over the years, we have been fortunate to raise tens of thousands of dollars as a team through this event. In that same time, I’ve met so many others affected by ALS. Other teams and families don’t just become competitors, they become like family.

I joined the Ride to Defeat ALS because of Greg and I continue to ride because of him, but now I ride for Greg and for all of the families whom I’ve met along the way. Now I want you to do two things.

First, if you have not done so already, please register for the Ride to Defeat ALS now at www.gpRidetoDefeatALS.org Every year this ride is one of the highlights of my year, but this year could be the best ride ever with improved courses, a new 100 mile route, and the fact that the ride will both start and end at Morey’s Piers and Waterparks.

Second, and this is also important, I want to know why YOU Ride to Defeat ALS. Email ALSAssoc@alsphiladelphia.org with stories and pictures and tell us who you are riding for and we will post on the Greater Philadelphia Chapter’s social media accounts with the hashtag #WhyIRidetoDefeatALS. Let’s motivate each other to accomplish more than ever before and raise money and awareness to make a big impact for the ALS cause this year.

On June 15, I’m going to Ride to Defeat ALS for Greg and for all of those who have been part of my journey. Join me and sign up now at www.gpRidetoDefeatALS.org

See you in a few weeks!