Next weekend (after Labor Day) I'll be riding for the fifth time in the Bike MS: Deception Pass Classic! This is the one and only stereotypical bike event I do and every year, I feel like more and more the outsider. But who cares? I'm riding a bike for a good cause and it's fun!
First, the reason I'm writing. I need help fundraising! Each year I've done the ride, I've set a personal fundraising goal of $1000. This year is no different, but I haven't been nearly as successful in reaching that goal. I'm currently at $360 and need help reaching my goal!
Please help me reach my fundraising goal! Donate here!!
Some of you might be scratching your heads at this point wondering why I choose to participate in this event, of all the possible mainstream bike events. Well, there are a couple of reasons.
It's easy. My work has a large team every year and it's really easy to sign up and be part of the big team. The whole weekend is supported, including all meals and entertainment. All I have to do is show up and volunteers have already set up my tent!
The route is beautiful. The ride starts in Mt. Vernon and goes through Skagit County to Deception Pass. They shut down the bridge for us so we can ride safely over the Deception Pass bridge, which is a rare treat.
MS sucks as a disease. I count myself lucky not to have it. but I've had more than a few friends diagnosed with this sneaky little bitch of a disease in the past couple of years. The cause is unknown and there's no cure yet, but there is a lot of promising research.
It's fun. Despite being heavily skewed towards upper-middle class men in lycra with really fancy bikes, the weekend is still a lot of fun. Everybody is incredibly supportive and positive, and I've never gotten more comments about my dynamo/basket/brooks equipped bike in one place ever.
Any support you can give is appreciated! And let me know if you'll be at the event. As much as I love hanging out with my coworkers, it's always fun to mingle among the other groups that are up there too.