Kevin Jaspers:

   The reason I ride is I am capable of riding. When I saw Pat and others afflicted with MS, I felt this was the least I could do. The ride provides motivation for me to stay in shape. The people you meet on the ride are just great. I rode along side people of all walks of life. People from all over the country. I even had the opportunity to ride with people from Ireland and England. It becomes a social event, but most importantly it is an event we are able to raise money for someone far less fortunate than you and I.

Lori Waldner:

   Why I ride….funny how I had no idea what that meant when I first decided to participate in the MS150 Bike Tour three years ago. My friend, Mike Lynch, talked to me about the tour, and I thought, “Wow, 150 miles..in two days??? Could I do it?” I love a good challenge, so I signed up. And Mike certainly made it sound like fun! Seems pretty selfish to me now, because I had no idea that my “challenge” of riding the MS150 is not a challenge but an honor for me to be able to do this for those afflicted with MS. THEY are the ones who know what a REAL challenge is..to just stand some days or open a door; some even to talk.

I’ve since met some wonderful people; from the volunteers at the rest stops to the other riders to the employees of the MS office, but mostly the people with MS. For those people, I want to go after this disease with a vengeance. I want Pat to walk without canes or a wheelchair; I want Anna S and Sherry VL and Scott N and all the others I know and don’t know for that matter to never feel the pain, despair, and frustration that this disease brings. I want MS to be nothing but a bad memory for my kids’ generation. These are just a few of the reasons I ride and will continue to ride until a cure is found.

Maria Pischke:

   Why I rode is simple...I got suckered into it by Lori...LOL.  Why I'll ride again...because I can :-)  Besides the obvious, riding to raise much needed money for a good cause, it was an amazing feeling...Saturday morning, I get up, get ready, and have a bite to eat but not too much cause my belly is doing the flip flops. What was I thinking…I’m 43; shouldn’t I be home knitting or something? I can’t believe I let Lori talk me into this! Oh, well, I’m here now so might as well try. Looking around the parking lot, I notice there really are all kinds of people doing this, younger and older than me. Maybe I can do this. And we’re off.  Oh my, too many people; have to keep my cool.  I don’t want to run into anyone and cause a major pileup. WOW, the 10-mile stop.  Not bad; 65 more to goooo!!! Welcome to MADISON!!!… Oh, my gosh, I forgot about the Orland Mountains; yes, I said mountains, and with the wind pushing against me, I wasn’t sure I’d make it, but I did. 7-1/2 hours later, I coasted into DSU. Feeling kind of good, oh yeah, I done it! (I do the happy dance in my head). Sunday morning, all right this is going to be fun. Nottttttt…I have to say it was a little harder going back.  Besides the very hot sun and the long lonely road, my butt was killing me. Hill after hill, I moved forward counting the remaining miles and praying out loud for some help to get there. I ride over the last hill, and I hear someone over the loud speakers, and then the big brown building comes into view. I do some thanking to the Big Guy upstairs. I pull into the parking lot, and I see the one person that can make me forget the pain of the last 8 hours. My husband, David, greets me with a big smile, and I smile back and know I did something good.

I’ll be riding again this year, and so will David, because we can!

Sydnie Waldner (Age 9):

I want to ride this year because I want to help raise money to help find a cure!  Also I want to ride because I love and care for Pat and all his family and everyone that has MS.

Bruce Smith:

    I’m riding to do some good by fighting MS, and to motivate myself to get into better shape.

David Pischke:

   This will be my first year in the MS150. Thanks to my best friend and wife, Maria, I was talked into this ride for a cure. But what she didn’t know was, the day I saw her and her teammates pull into the finish line with the emotions and sense of pride that I can only imagine at that time, I was hooked! I was so proud of everyone involved; I had to be a part of it! I am so looking forward to being part of team FoMo with Pat leading the way. We will not get into the fishing stories at this time, Pat, but perhaps the story of the sinking boat at Lower Brule would make a good conversation piece. That’s for later. But seriously I have recently been told that my first cousin's wife was diagnosed with this unfair disease. And to see others afflicted likewise, that’s enough for me.  That’s why I will ride.

Mike Waldner

   I like to ride the MS150 tour because: Selfishly it helps motivate me to exercise and keep healthy.  It is the friendships built along the way that keep me doing this year after year.  I've done other benefit races etc. but I love the MS150 because the rest stops are the best and the people affected by MS that are at the event are so appreciative of what you are doing - it makes it all worth while.  And one other reason is that Diabetes is the disease that cut my fathers life short, so while I'm riding for MS, I'll also be thinking of him as well, hoping that somehow my simple efforts of riding will indeed help others down the road.

Lisa McNeely

   I began riding in the MS 150 because I wanted a challenge. I'd taken up distance bicycling to exercise, and to recover from knee surgery. I enjoyed it so much, that I began to look for a reason to ride. When I saw the MS 150 advertised, I didn't know if I could do it. I arrived with my bike, completely clueless as to how this whole thing would work. After I finished the first day, I knew I would be back for more, and I will continue to ride as long as my body and schedule allow.

I like to be physically challenged, and I can make choices with regard to those challenges that I pursue. Those afflicted with MS are physically challenged without choice. My efforts are rewarded through hugs, thank-yous, and smiles of appreciation from those who have this disease, yet who are volunteering on the route. Most of them cannot ride, but they are still there; encouraging and supporting us as we pedal the miles. The rewards of participating in this event cannot be measured, as they go far beyond dollars raised and miles cycled.

Raelene Bucholz

   When my grandpa was still living, he used to be a very active member of the TOSA (Texas Organ Sharing Alliance) I think that's what it stands for. I wanted to get involved with something like that to raise awareness for a good cause. I ride for Pat. I don't know what it is like to have MS. I don't know the challenges he faces daily. I do know, however that when I ride for 150 miles (on a Mountain bike), I am facing challenges of my own physical shape. When I feel like quitting, like I can't take it anymore, I just think that Pat is out there riding. He is building up huge arm muscles. It is a great way to meet other people, a great way to learn about MS, and a great way to raise others' awareness of MS. I ride to help other people and maybe find a cure for MS.

Jon Bonner

This is the second year I am participating in the MS 150. I do so for four reasons:

1. It is a great cause! Fighting MS is something we can all agree on.
2. It is an awesome way to get myself in shape. Riding for a cause is a good motivator to get out and ride.
3. It is a challenge! Riding 150 miles in 2 days is not the way an average person spends their weekend. Riding in the MS 150 gives me a sense of accomplishment.
4. It’s fun! Last year I really enjoyed getting to know my teammates better during our team training rides. I also enjoyed meeting new people during the event and at the rest stops.
 

Rachael Miller

This is my first year (2006) riding in the MS 150 and I loved it! The volunteer crew was so great and everyone was so nice. You get to meet so many different people from all over working together to reach a common goal. I ride for Mark Stephenson, Pat Lynch, and others afflicted with MS. I ride so that: one day we will know the cause, treatment, and cure for MS. The MS 150 is a challenge, but it does not even compare to the challenges that individuals diagnosed with MS or their families face each day. Riding in the MS 150 gives you a great sense of accomplishment and pride. The team spirit is so amazing! I can’t describe how awesome it was to cross the finish line with Pat leading the way. This is why I ride and will continue to ride.