Northern California Bike MS: Waves to Wine September 12 - 13
August 8,2009
Bike MS: Waves to Wine is a fun, fully-supported ride from San Francisco to Healdsburg where cyclists can choose from route options ranging from 40 to 175 miles.
Proceeds from the ride support research and people living with or affected by MS in 40 Northern California counties.
2008 Escape from Alcatraz winner in the physically challenged division, William Nystrom encourages anyone who owns a bike to participate in this year’s Bike MS: Waves to Wine.
“Don’t let the distances or fundraising scare you off,” he says. “If you’ve only ridden 15 miles before, you can ride 40; if you’ve only ridden 50, you can go 75; and if you’ve only gone 75, you can do 100.”
He encourages riders to take advantage full of the Waves to Wine rest stops and fill up on the fruit, drinks and bars and rest. “You’ll be able to ride further than you’d ever imagine.”
~Check out the Silicon Valley Fitness Calendar for August
Nystrom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1992 and he dealt with it by focusing on keeping physically fit and has continued to win scores of triathlons over the years both in the physically challenged division or in his age group if that category is unavailable.
MS is a chronic, unpredictable often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system. Symptoms vary from person to person and may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. Today, new treatments and advances in research funded by the National MS Society are giving new hope to people affected by the disease.
~Be sure to give your bicycle a fitness check up too
Nystrom is now is raising money for Bike MS ride and encouraging others to join him. “By participating in Waves to Wine I hope to raise awareness and inspire others who have been diagnosed. We don't have to sit on the sidelines.”
For more information on cycling technique, safety, building fitness, sports nutrition and to register for the Bike MS Waves to Wine Ride, visit
www.wavestowine.org or phone 1-800-344-4867.