Barbara Herdon
JOIN TEAM SIMPLY POWER YOGA BY CLICKING HERE!!!
Event: Bike MS
Date: Saturday August 24th and Sunday August 25th
Fundraising Amount: $300
Where: Ride begins at Camp Kern
Simply Power Yoga is excited to be participating in Bike MS 2013! Sarah Festa and Jenni Cox, students of SPY, have created Team Simply Power Yoga! Simply Power Yoga wants to make a difference. Sarah, Jenni and myself have had family members impacted by this disease. This is very close to my heart. My mother, Barbara Herndon, was diagnosed with MS in her early 40's. She is the inspiration behind SPY. When Sarah and Jenni approached me about SPY sponsoring and participating in this event, I was thrilled. Riding a bike for 150 miles completely takes me out of my comfort zone and it scares me as well. However, I have watched my mother be completely uncomfortable for the last 30 some years and I have also watched many moments of fear. I am committed to participating in this event in honor of my mother.
Millions of people are affected by MS and the challenges of living with its unpredictable symptoms. Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body and it stops people from moving. Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with MS, a disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS.
What is bike MS?
Bike MS is this area's premier ride, and the nation's premier fundraising cycling series. Whether you're a hardcore rider, looking for fun, setting a personal goal, or have a connection to someone living with MS - Bike MS: Venture the Valley is the ride of your life.
Bike MS: Venture the Valley is a two-day cycling event through southwest Ohio’s beautiful countryside and small towns. Nearly 1,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities meet at Camp Kern and ride either a 25, 50, or 75 mile-per-day route. A fully-supported ride, Bike MS: has frequent rest stops, bike repair experts and plenty of support vehicles along the route. Each day also culminates with festivities, such as live bands and a beer garden to celebrate everyone’s energy, dedication and commitment toward a world free of MS.
Why Sarah Festa rides?
"Growing up, I had a wonderful loving Grandfather who lived an independent life as a proud Marine, World War II Veteran and General Electric Engineer until his health quickly started to decline. As a child, I remember watching the transitions from cane to walker while living independently in his home, and into a wheelchair by the time he moved into a nursing home. What I didn't know at the time was that he was diagnosed in his early twenties with Multiple Sclerosis. This transition had been one he knew he would have to face, but he fought hard to avoid it for a long time. My Grandfather ultimately passed away in 1990. I ride because he can't, I ride because I want to see a world free of MS.
This will be my 4th year participating in Bike MS: Venture the Valley. My first year I signed up with a friend, I'd never even taken my little hybrid bike off of the Loveland trail before! I didn't conquer all 150 miles that year as I was 5 months pregnant with my 4th child. Why am I telling you this? Because there is a place in this ride for everyone at ANY level!!!!! Show up, have fun, support MS. If you are an experienced biker, I promise these hills will not disappoint. If you are a beginner, the support and comradery at this event can't be beat!"
Why Jenni Cox Rides?
"My name is Jenni Cox and I am riding for my step-brother David. David was diagnosed with MS about 10 years ago at the age of 50. He was in NYC on 9/11 and the depression-like symptoms that followed those events were to be expected, except they didn't go away, and he then became noticeably clumsy. They knew it must be something else. His MS diagnosis was a huge shock to his family. How could a healthy active man in the prime of his life be diagnosed with a disease for which we have no family history and there is no known cause? David is an artist and leather goods designer by profession. He is lucky that he is still able to work for a family-owned business, but his energy is limited due to the disease and his medications. I ride for David because there is still too much we don't know about this debilitating disease. I ride because I can and he can't."
Why Heidi Fricke Rides?
"My name is Heidi Fricke and I am the founder of Simply Power Yoga. My mother, Barbara Herndon, was diagnosed with MS in her early 40's. The progression of the disease was quick. It took over her life before we even knew what was happening. I have witnessed first hand the impact it has on someone's emotional and physical body. I have also watched my father and the way he has cared for her over the years. The disease has impacted him just as much as it has impacted my mother. Over the years, even the smallest daily chore has become a struggle for her. The days when I don't want to get out of bed because life is to much for me to handle, I think of my mother and put both feet on the ground and thank God for the ability to move my body and use my mind. In this moment, my mother is confined to a wheelchair with little physical movement. Each stage of this disease has brought new challenges for her and for my family. Everything I have done in my life is a reflection of my mother and her perseverance.
This will be my first year participating in Bike MS. It is my way of making a differnce and being a stand for everyone who has ever been impacted by this horrible disease. "
How to join?
Our goal is to have at least 50 people join Team Simply Power Yoga and to raise $15,000!! Please help us to make a difference. To participate on the team, each participant must raise $300.
We are currently looking for participants to ride on our team - every level welcomed! Join Team Simply Power Yoga by CLICKING HERE!
Not into cycling? We will need plenty of help setting up and and will have other opportunities to volunteer your time along the way. You can also join our team as a Virtual Cyclist if you would like to fund-raise, but not ride, by clicking on the link above. If you would like to volunteer to help our team, please email us at simplyms150@gmail.com. We are still getting things set up, but we will be offering team training rides, so check our team page often.
We are also looking for corporate sponsors!!!! We are trying to put together team jerseys, and if you are looking for some advertising, we will be cycling all around town in our mobile billboards!