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

Ride Ataxia Remembers Garrett Timbie

Ride Ataxia's success is rooted in many families coming together as one team to ride and raise funds for FA research. At the heart of each family is someone who rallies the family members to action. The family volunteers to scout ride routes; they train for long distances; they fundraise and they get up before dawn to staff the first rest stop. They enthusiastically participate to do their part in changing the research landscape for Friedreich's ataxia. One such family is the Timbie Family, and they do it out of love for their son, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend- Garrett.

Garrett had an independent, positive spirit and always wore an infectious and warm smile. He was an avid sports fan and loved the Philadelphia Phillies. He traveled away to college and always took really good care of himself- working out and staying fit. Garrett was also very active in FA clinical research. Dr. Dave Lynch says: "I remember him being in every study he was eligible for, and always the first to ask about new studies. He was very good natured and laughed at almost all of my jokes." FARA's Executive Director, Jen Farmer adds: "He believed we were going to be successful in getting treatments and he wanted to be an active part of that - he was always participating in research studies and willing to try new treatment approaches."

Since the first ride in 2009, Garrett and his family have been strong supporters of Ride Ataxia Philadelphia. Ride Ataxia meant a lot to Garrett because he knew that it was an important part of the cure for FA.

Team Timbie at Ride Ataxia Philadelphia 2012

In celebration of his determined spirit and commitment to FA research, we dedicate Ride Ataxia Philadelphia 2013 to Garrett Timbie. Every Ride Ataxia Philadelphia jersey will have a remembrance of Garrett on the inside collar:

Thank you Garrett and Team Timbie for your steadfast support of Ride Ataxia and FA research. Together We Will Cure FA!