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K+S MS Bike brings record number of cyclists to Waskesiu for multiple sclerosis

Sep 19, 2015 | 4:45 PM

Prince Albert National Park is no stranger to cyclists out for an afternoon ride, but the roads were packed with cyclists today as part of the K+S MS Bike event.

A record-breaking 361 cyclists came out to Waskesiu to enjoy the fantastic weather on their 55 or 81 kilometre bike ride. Riders had gathered pledges to support multiple sclerosis over the last year and came out to enjoy the fruits of the labour and also get a good workout.

“They’re here to meet other cyclists, share their stories, and enjoy the fun afternoon we have planned,” said Maggie Lens, organizer and manager of development at the MS Society of Canada’s Saskatoon
Division.

Part one of the trek took riders from the Waskesiu Community Hall to the intersection of Saskatchewan Highway 2 and Highway 264.

They then returned to the Community Hall for lunch before embarking on part two of the tour, which took them from the Community Hall to the Waskesiu Marina and back.

“I have total respect for those riding 55 kilometres,” Lens continued. “I think they’re amazing because I’m not sure I could do it. I’m proud of them.”

Riders making the 81 km trip biked the second part twice.

According to the MS Society of Canada 50 per cent of people know someone with MS. Of the 361 riders, only a handful suffered from the disease.

Tracy Wahba is one of them. Diagnosed in 2011 while pregnant, this is her fourth year as a cyclist, and her second as the top pledge earner.

This year she raised $12,835.

“I cycle to support everyone in the province,” she said. “This is a great event, and the people organizing it are amazing. It’s so much fun I keep coming back…and I fundraise for the fun of it.”

46 teams took part, several of which were families enjoying a long weekend at Waskesiu.

Many teams were much larger.

Wayne Nowoselski’s team had 12 bikers, one for each year that Wayne and his family has undertaken the challenge. Diagnosed with MS in 1998, Nowoselski has trouble balancing, so he rides in a special bike fitted with a chair and powered by his arms.

“I think Waskesiu is so important because it’s exactly how my day goes in a lot of ways,” he said.

“It’s like a rollercoaster. One minute you’re up, the next minute you’re down. MS is more like a journey than a disease and if you look at that part it’s not so bad at all.”

When asked what kept drawing him to the K+S MS Bike he said “It’s the people. It’s a lot of fun. It’s a challenge for your own sake but it’s not a race at all.”

Nowoselski wasn’t the only one riding a specially fitted bike.

Roger Koert, a paraplegic rider from Ontario, rides a specially fitted recumbent bike that is also powered by his arms. His also the co-founder of the Handcycling Club of Canada.

“It’s all the regular cycling parts just turned upside down,” he explained while taking a quick break at one of the rest areas.

A veteran on MS bike tours in support of his aunt who suffers from MS, Koert was planning a trip to Saskatchewan already when he saw the opportunity.

“I thought it would be great to bring my bike along anyway, and when I saw the MS bike tour was in Waskesiu I signed up.”

Funds raised from the event go towards MS services and programs such as yoga and strength training. Money will also go to zeroing in on a cure for MS.

 

UPDATE: Organizer Maggie Lens has confirmed with paNOW that having 361 cyclists in the K+S MS Bike was not the only record broken that day.

With two weeks left to fundraise the event has raised a record $258,000.

The record for largest team was broken by the Remyelinators with 41 cyclists. 

3 cyclists raised more than $10,000 each, brekaing another record. 

ssterritt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit