Route 93 ‘end to end’ to End MS

My name is Greg Van Tighem, the Fire Chief in Jasper Alberta, a born again Biker and an MS Society Ambassador, a top fundraiser in the Hinton MS Bike Tour and I am on a mission to help End MS.

In the past 7 years I have raised over $145,000.00 through numerous fundraiser initiatives such as, barbeques, carwashes, e-mail campaigns, farmers markets, bottle drives, raffles, auctions etc

But now it’s time to kick it up a notch,,,

THE RIDE:

The ride commences on April 22^th  in Wickenburg, it will be a solo, unsupported cycling trip (my Mom says I am crazy)I will be soliciting donations to the MS Society before during and after, any pledges/funds received will go 100% to the MS society. (I buy my own food and beer). I will be peddling my bicycle some 3,000 km from Wickenburg Arizona to Jasper Alberta all in support of those living and dealing with the effects of Multiple Sclerosis.  Jasper (my hometown) is physically connected to Wickenburg Arizona USA via Highway 93. Jasper is the northernmost point of Highway 93 and Wickenburg marks the southernmost point. Along the way I will be visiting and networking with Fire Departments, Rotary Clubs, Chambers of Commerce, MS Society offices, local newspapers, fellow bikers etc. I will be documenting this amazing journey on Facebook and Twitter and will be maintaining a detailed travel blog and photo-journal and Video blog. (www.endms93.com)

SPONSORS:

I am soliciting for  tax deductible donations and actively seeking sponsorships for some of the major expenses  and to-date have Tourism Jasper as the major promoter, WestJet airlines as the flight sponsor,  Wild Mountain (the North Face) donated an awesome tent and sleeping bag, Jasper Motorcycle Tours, Mitch at Tekarra Color Lab providing graphic design talents and Freewheel Cycle Jasper just donated a Kona Sutra touring bike (my road bike won’t cut it), my friend Johnny Mac is providing Optic Nerve sunglasses, the Jasper Brewing Company providing IPA, t-shirts and over the bar counselling sessions etc.

OBJECTIVES:

There are a few objectives for this crazy journey, first to raise funds and awareness for the MS Society and to assist Wickenburg Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Jasper in promoting Route/Highway 93 as a destination vacation journey by car, motorcycle, bicycle. There are a couple of other objectives I will pursue, such as to visit with as many Fire Departments and Rotary clubs as possible, to find the best micro-brewery’s IPA and best comfort food restaurant on Route 93, to ride my bike down the Vegas strip, to play an Old-Boys Rugby match at the Missoula Maggot fest (we won it in 83), to have beer and peanuts at Moose’s Saloon in Whitefish (for old times’ sake) also to learn as much as possible about the people, local history and attractions along the way (and blog about it). Oh,,,  and also to avoid getting a flat tire (ha ha) avoid being hit by a truck, avoid running out of water in the desert, avoid getting major sunburn (in the desert) and last but not least avoid being bitten by a poisonous snake (don’t like them).

WHY AM I DOING THIS?

I am doing this because I am fairly healthy right now (but I could use a bit of exercise) and also because my many friends who suffer from MS are in need of a cure very soon so they can enjoy a healthy life like you and me take for granted, and I really think it’s time for a world free of MS! (MS Sucks)

I do it because my friend Luigi has told me of are reoccurring dream he has, he dreams he can walk, he wakes up feeling positive and energetic and truly believing that he can walk again, but when he tries to swing his legs off the bed to get up he can’t move, then reality sets in, the hopeless feeling comes back and washes away the euphoria of his dream, the hopeless feeling he has lived with for the past 20 years since being diagnosed with MS.

I do it because researchers are at the cusp of finding a cure and they need funding to continue.

I do it because MS is a terrible condition, people inflicted with MS start life just like you and me, until they receive the horrible diagnosis.

I do it because the people living and dealing with MS every single day require support and resources to ease their pain and suffering.

I am doing this to help spread Hope!

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

First off I want to say this is not all about raising money, this is also about raising awareness. Yes I am trying to raise $93,000.00 but just as important I want to raise awareness about Multiple Sclerosis. The more people with an understanding of the challenges faced by people dealing with MS, the sooner we will have a cure.

I am not only looking for people who will sponsor this journey but also folks who will help spread the word by circulating my info amongst their many contacts. It is extremely important the news of my adventure reach as many people as possible so please help me out and spread the word

Anyone can contact me anytime for more info and in the mean time I will keep planning, training and working on the web-page.

gvantighem@gmail.com

Thanks very much for your support, until there is a cure help me provide HOPE!

Let’s do this!

/gvt