NorCal 2014 dedicated to Lee Mitchell

Sometimes it takes someone who has traveled the road before you to show you the way.

In early 2009 I had a dream to do Race Across AMerica (RAAM) - a 3,000 mile nonstop bike race with over 100,000 feet of climbing. For the race I recruited a team of 3 friends, one of whom also has Friedreich's ataxia (FA) - the energy deprivation disease that is supposed to keep us from accomplishing things like this. It was a monumental task and I knew I would need lots of help. So I put out the call and got an overwhelming response from friends and family. However none of us knew about ultra cycling much less how to survive "The World's Toughest Bike Race."

I had incredible support from many, many, familiar people but it was a stranger who was the key to our success. We met Lee Mitchell at an informational seminar for RAAM riders and crew where we learned everything from proper nutrition, to crew schedules, to all of the rules to keep us safe. The seminar only served to add to the overwhelming stress of the logistics of RAAM. At the seminar I sat next to a skinny guy with a big white beard and red socks. I had no idea who he was but when he spoke, everyone listened. This guy had been a crew chief on RAAM for over 20 years and could tell a story about any "what if?" that anyone could think of. I am pretty sure he sensed my mounting stress throughout the seminar so he offered his phone number and he said he would send me his info pack.

Lee 'Fuzzy' Mitchell

Over the next few months I had many conversations with Lee Mitchell whenever I needed something. He walked us through the process and showed us the ropes. He even invited us out to his house to practice rider exchanges in the parking lot across the street. Lee guided us through everything and asked for nothing in return. Lee lived to help others accomplish their cycling goals; it was sufficient payment when we successfully crossed the finish line - proving to ourselves and the world that we are capable of anything. 

Cycling accomplishments are much more than miles under the belt and increased fitness. It is all about the feeling you get when you think to yourself "If I can do that, I can do anything." Lee knew this and so he dedicated his life to helping others accomplish the impossible. He spent almost every weekend in the summer for over 20 years volunteering at Ultra Cycling Events - double centuries, and 500 mile races lending his time and experience to help others reach the next level in cycling, proving that they can do anything. There are countless people who can say that the only reason they finished was because Lee provided a spare tube, tire, spoke, seat, crankset, or encouraging word. I am one of those. There is no doubt in my mind that Team FARA would have never even made it to the start, much less the finish of RAAM if it were not for Lee Mitchell.

After Team FARA completed RAAM, Lee continued to stay fired up about FARA and Ride Ataxia. He was our SAG chief for Ride Ataxia NorCal in 2011, providing guidance to a group of rookies and ushering the very last rider in behind the wheel of his famous Bike Van. He helped us plan routes, mark the course and ensure the safety of our riders.

Any thank you will fall short of what we owe Lee for showing us that we can accomplish anything. However we are going to give it our best. This year, Ride Ataxia NorCal is dedicated to Lee Mitchell.

On the inside collar of every jersey there will be a tribute to Lee:

and on the back of every jersey will be the famous BIKE VAN license plate:

Thank you Lee. Because of you anything is possible.

You Betcha!

Maximizing Our Impact - Ride Ataxia Relocation; Portland to Seattle

In the past two years our Northwest location,  Ride Ataxia Portland, has been very successful with strong participation and fundraising - over $115,000 raised for Friedreich's ataxia (FA) research! Portland has also shown us huge support from partners such as University of Portland, Oregon Disability Sports, Incight, and Sauvie Island Academy.

We are constantly seeking opportunities to grow the ride and raise more awareness and research funds. During the past year we have come upon the opportunity for potential ride growth by moving the Northwest location to Seattle. It was a challenging decision to move the ride--- one that we wrestled with for over a year. We will hold Ride Ataxia Seattle on August 3, 2014 in an effort to grow in ridership, fundraisers and sponsors.

Registration for Ride Ataxia Seattle is now open and we invite you to check it out at rideataxia.org/seattle, register, and come ride with us as we continue the push toward a treatment and cure for Friedreich's ataxia (FA). 

Ride Ataxia Seattle will take place at the beautiful and spacious Marymoor Park in Redmond, WA.

The ride will feature 4 different routes to span the spectrum of abilities:

• 5 mile route - Beginner. Flat. Samammish River Trail. Map: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4047684 
• 10 mile route: Beginner. Flat. Samammish River Trail. Map: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4047674 
• 22 mile route: Intermediate. Some Climbing. Varried Traffic Conditions. Map: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4047624 
• 53 mile route: Experienced cyclists only. Significant Climbing. Varied Traffic Conditions. Map: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4047641

All routes will feature beautiful Northwest views, fully stocked rest stops and strong SAG support.

The post-ride festivities will feature delicious food from Outback Steakhouse, and drinks from Coca-Cola, Samuel Adams, and Chateau Ste Michelle.

You can find all the details at rideataxia.org/seattle.  See you there!

Ride Ataxia 2013 Reflection

This article is from The Advocate newsletter.  Read the entire newsletter here:  http://curefa.org/_pdf/FARAnewsletterDec2013.pdf

Young Family’s Involvement Is A Team Effort

At Ride Ataxia Chicago 2013, the Young family recruited the largest team in Ride Ataxia history. Team Emily consisted of 76 riders from their central Illinois hometown of Gibson City, which has a population of about 3,400. “We have been here our whole lives and have made some amazing friends so we are able to bring together a lot of people for the ride,” says Emily’s mom, Becky Young.

The strong community support goes beyond the impressive team numbers. “It is important for Emily to know that she has support. We have not been going through this on our own. When you are first diagnosed you go through that period of shock and disbelief. Then it has time to absorb and it just makes you realize how important today is — we try to live for today. After we let it sink in we decided we want to be proactive and that’s what led us to FARA.”

The Young family has been involved in a huge way. They have had two “Barnraisers” (a fundraiser party in their barn), a Team FARA for the Philadelphia Half Marathon and the Chicago Half Marathon, and the largest team in Ride Ataxia Chicago for the past two years.

“Since we have become involved we discovered a great community of doctors and scientists who care about a treatment just as much as we do,” Becky adds. “They are in this with us and that goes a long way when you’re sitting up late at night thinking.”

Along with participation and fundraising, the Young family takes a huge role in planning and execution of the ride: scouting the route, communicating with the venue and police support, passing out flyers, handling web posting, and outreach to local media.

Being involved in the ride is great for the Young family, says Becky. “It’s a good opportunity for Emily to set and achieve goals,” she says. Emily rode her furthest to date with a 12-mile ride on her new Catrike. Fundraising also helps the Youngs know that they are part of the solution — they are pushing the treatment and cure closer and closer to the finish line. The Youngs’ community is a huge part of that solution. “We have had so many friends get involved and touched by the spirit of FARA,” says Becky.

Families like the Youngs have assembled in six Ride Ataxia locations across the country to ride and raise awareness and funds for FA research. And in 2013 they reached some new milestones:

• More people with ataxia cycled on adaptive equipment than ever before in the ride program 
• We reached a new fundraising record of more than $220,000 for a single ride in Philadelphia 
• In 2013, the Ride Program raised over $660,000 (gross)! 

None of this would be possible without the tireless efforts of our FA families, presenting sponsor Outback Steakhouse, and the hundreds of volunteers. We hope you can join us for a Ride Ataxia event near you in 2014 — Ride to Cure FA!

For more information, visit rideataxia.org