Who needs to don a cape and leap tall buildings when you have a bicycle? Betsy Albright and her cycling team, St. Simons Spinners, show that superheroes ride bikes too. On October 13-14, they’ll be participating in Bike MS: PGA TOUR Cycle to the Shore 2018 in Ponte Vedra, Florida. As promotions for Bike MS events state, “It’s more than a ride,” and they could use your support to help complete their mission, which goes far beyond completing the pedaling trek along the Florida coast.
St. Simons Elementary School teacher Betsy Albright was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2007. She says, “I decided to keep a positive outlook and adopted the saying, ‘I might have MS, but MS doesn’t have me.’” While maybe not a superpower, this is not an easy feat, and anyone who knows Betsy also knows that she does it amazingly well. Betsy says that in those first years after her diagnosis she began participating in several MS fundraising events. Then
something completely unexpected occurred. In 2010, Betsy’s husband, Chad, a teacher and coach at Glynn Academy, was also diagnosed with MS.
Instead of letting Chad’s diagnosis knock the wind out of their sails, Betsy said, “This created an even greater desire for us to raise money for MS research.” Betsy and Chad formed their own Walk MS team: Albrights for a Cure, Everything is Going to be ALBRIGHT. The team was supported by their immediate and extended families as well their schools.
Fast forward a couple of years, and the St. Simons Spinners Bike MS cycling team emerged. Betsy explains, “The Spinners are a group of my co-workers who bike recreationally and were more than happy to support the Bike MS event. We began doing the Cycle to the Shore ride in October 2015.” The men and women who once were simply co-workers, quickly became close friends. In addition to Betsy and Chad, the St. Simons Spinners members include Mary Ann Pruett, Lynn Truluck, Theresa Johnson, Preston Powers, Megan Counts, and Jessica Childers. Betsy says, “Although I am not able to participate in the actual ride, Missy Vail, who also has MS, has ridden every year. They are all rock stars in my opinion and will never know the value of their time and support in helping raise funds for MS research.”
Bike MS: PGA TOUR Cycle to the Shore is a two-day fundraising cycling event from TPC Sawgrass to Daytona Beach and back. There are multiple one and two day route options that range from 36 to 160 miles, with each route well supported to include fully-stocked rest stops, a lunch stop each day, and safety provided by medical personnel, HAM radio operators, law enforcement and motorcycle escorts. Riders travel along the scenic Florida coastline and finish day one with a beachside celebration on the Daytona Beach Boardwalk. Participation supports the National MS Society, driving MS research forward faster and delivering services to those who face the challenges of MS every day to help them live their best lives. The Bike MS cycling series includes events nationwide and raises more money than any other cycling event for any other cause. To date, Bike MS cyclists, volunteers, and donors have raised more than $1 billion toward stopping MS in its tracks. That’s how superheroes work.
Although Betsy doesn’t ride, she doesn’t let that keep her inactive at the event. She explains, “Each year, the Bike MS event gets more exciting for our team. Even though I am not riding a bike, I am ringing a cowbell, cheering with a megaphone, dancing i
n a tutu, and encouraging my team to ride another mile!” She continues, “I am not alone, I have MY biggest cheerleader by my side – my mom. We put smiles on the other bikers’ faces as we share Bike MS cheer with everyone.”
When prompted, Betsy says if she could be a superhero, it would be Supergirl. “She’s feminine and strong, girly but fierce. She is always on an adventure, and welcomes a challenge with a smile on her face. Supergirl is a role model for young girls and leads by example.” Betsy herself possesses those traits, facing life with MS with a positive attitude, supporting and encouraging others. When it comes to Bike MS, she’s dynamo in generating awareness, spurring participation, and championing the cause through fundraising.
Betsy is grateful for the support of St. Simons Elementary staff, students, and families, as well as other businesses in our community, saying they have truly been a blessing. This year, the Spinners have many fundraisers planned at SSE and continue to seek donations from businesses. Supporters who donate $100 or more will have their logo or family names printed on the back of the Spinners’ t-shirts. On Thursday, September 6, there will be a Bike MS Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A (SSI) from 5:00-8:00 p.m., so come out and eat some tasty food and show your support for Betsy, Chad, and their team!
For more information about Bike MS and the PGA TOUR Cycle to the Shore, visit bikems.org. There’s always room for more riders! For additional information about donations to St. Simons Spinners and their local fundraising events, please contact Betsy directly at betsyannealbright@yahoo.com.
