Mar 09, 2009
Every Mile is A Memory
Tony Prete has always been a cyclist. He began riding 27-years ago and would ride 5,000 – 6,000 miles a year. It was not uncommon for him to clock 40 – 50 miles before breakfast. He joined bike MS 15-years ago simply because he loved to ride. “The bike MS event was a great place to meet other people, who shared my passion for cycling, and to ride a wonderful course.”
In January of 2000, Tony’s reason for riding in bike MS changed dramatically, when he was diagnosed with MS. He had always enjoyed cycling, but after his diagnosis this event took on a new meaning. Tony formed a team with his brother and friend and together they rode in bike MS. As Tony’s MS progressed, the simple task of walking was becoming more challenging, but that did not stop him from riding. Last year, after 15-years of participating in the event, Tony made the difficult decision to give up cycling.
Not being able to participate in bike MS truly broke his heart. But, this year he plans to be there to cheer on his fellow cyclists and the friends that he has made over the years. He is especially excited to be there for his daughter, as she bikes in the event for the first time. Tony says: “For the cyclist, bike MS is the highlight of the year. The route, the food and the volunteers all come together to make this ride a perfect event. It always provided me with something to look forward to and a reason to train.”
Tony would personally like to thank everyone for helping such a worthwhile cause. All the time, money and effort put into the event is overwhelming. Every mile that the cyclists ride and every snack the volunteers provide make a tremendous difference in the fight against MS.
Explore our bike MS web page and join Tony.