Why We Ride to Benefit Alzheimer’s Research
We, at Ready2Roll Cycling (Steve & Robbie Moskowitz and Marshall & Jan Cohen), have been directly affected by Alzheimer’s and are fully aware that many of our fellow riders have been too. Over the years we have helped cyclists get in better shape, become excellent cycling advocates, and have raised awareness and millions of dollars for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). With our leadership, influence and experience, our desire was to expand beyond MS and make a big impact in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
We decided that we would capitalize on our expertise and organize a bike ride that would raise awareness and funds to help fight this horrible disease. As the leaders of the Ready2Roll Cycling fully supported cycling training series, it is well established that we definitely know how to organize bike rides. For over the past 25 years, we have been offering a fully-supported 12-14 week training series to help riders prepare for the MS 150 and other cycling events with 1,700 enrolled riders last year alone. Our exposure in the cycling community has been significant and we thought that if we reached out to this community offering a new ride that benefits Alzheimer’s, the community would respond. And yes they have, as the response has been overwhelming with 762 riders in 2017 (two weeks after Hurricane Harvey), 1,202 in 2018 and an over 900 in 2019. Best of all, we have already made a significant impact with the Alzheimer’s Association as the event is now established and well respected.
When we began building out the concept for this event back in 2017, we decided that we wanted to offer various routes that were on beautiful, quiet roads, with a few challenging hills and a welcoming community. We also said that we wanted to host a fun-filled post ride party with great sponsors. Fortunately, we identified the Austin County Fairgrounds in Bellville for the start/finish with cycling routes through Cat Spring and New Ulm that are about as good as it gets.
The Austin County Fairgrounds is an ideal location to host the start and finish given the expansive grounds for parking, the covered pavilion for packet pickup and the post ride party, and the hospitality by the Fairgrounds management team.
With this event, we needed important sponsors that were committed to be part of the ride and could help deliver an exceptional experience for the participants. Proudly, we have secured extremely gracious and generous sponsors that not only believe in the cause against Alzheimer’s, but see a great connection to be an integral part of the cycling community. Specifically, we must take a moment to acknowledge our title sponsor Linscomb & Williams who has been the ideal partner for this event. They are fully-committed, providing financial support as well as with riders and volunteers, and are compassionate about the battle to end Alzheimer’s. As leaders in the wealth management arena, they have seen firsthand how this horrible disease can impact a family and are truly supportive of the event and all it stands for. We can only request and hope that our participants engage with our sponsors which will further deliver the value of their participation.
To put on the Linscomb & Williams Pedal Away Alzheimer’s ride requires a large number of volunteers that are willing to give up their valuable time to support the ride. We never underestimate the value of the volunteers and of course, the participants sincerely appreciate all the support. Without amazing volunteers like we have, the event simply cannot happen so we are grateful for all they do.
So, we hope that you now have a better understanding about the ride and how we got here, but more importantly, hope that you will reach out to your own community and ask that they be part of this growing event by riding, volunteering or even sponsoring. Thank you for your generous support in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
Our Company joined the Ready2Roll Cycling program as we trained for the BPMS150, all of our employees had such a wonderful experience they requested the training series again. The Ready2Roll Cycling Team is highly organized, has excellent routes and distance for your team to train, including, EMS, Ride Marshals, break stops and snacks. The owners of Ready2Roll Cycling take a vested interest to work with new teams and ensure we are all safe and ride safe. If you or your company is looking for a top notch training series, Ready2Roll Cycling should be at the top of your list.
First of all, I love everything you and your team are doing. I’m not new to cycling, but this is my first year participating in Ready2Roll training. It is top notch! Everything is so well organized and your regular communication is great and informative. When I signed up, I wasn’t sure if it would be worth driving out from Pasadena every Saturday, but it totally is.
It would have been impossible, or dangerous for me (an amateur rider) to get in these routes and miles without the support of the rest stops, police support, and safety volunteer assistance that Ready2Roll Cycling offers.
My experience with Ready2Roll Cycling was like a baby elephant getting pushing up by mama’s trunk. The program has a natural cadence and it took me comfortably from a beginning rider (<10 miles per ride) to confident (50 miles+) within my first spring season. I’m ready for the MS 150, and I had a lot of fun getting there. Thanks Ready2Roll Cycling for delivering a top shelf program.
I have trained with the Ready2Roll Cycling organization (and its predecessor, ConocoPhillips Bike Club) for 8 of the last 10 years. Its preparation, attention to details and experience at organizing weekly training rides is the best and they get better every year. Whether you are training to ride the MS 150 or simply want to 12 week exercise regiment to get into shape, I would highly recommend this training series. The positive energy at the start of every ride is invigorating.
Thank you for everything you do to make these training rides safe, friendly and enormously satisfying. The leadership, organization, attention to detail and resulting just plain joy in these rides is remarkable. Many aspire to this level of excellence – you all deliver week after week, year after year.
Ready2Roll Cycling is absolutely worth the investment to prepare for the MS 150. The 12 rides were well structured to prepare for the hills and distance required – especially for me as a first time MS 150 rider. Weekly communications, ride safety and well stocked rest stops are top notch. Very enjoyable and highly recommended.
I would like to say that last week’s ride was a beautiful example of excellence in organization and coordination. I cannot express how grateful I am to the Ready2Roll staff and volunteers for coordinating this training series. It is pure joy to roll up to an intersection and see a police officer, ready and waiting to control traffic….cars and cyclists alike….to maintain safety for all.
And great to see the SAG drivers, carefully positioned along the route. And also the rest stops (with port-a-potties!) perfectly placed on a quiet road.
Well done, Steve and Marshall, spouses and staff. I am looking forward to this training series!!
Well organized ride series with full ride support including police at key intersections, and good community relations make this a great way to get in shape for the MS 150.
We appreciate the dedication of our Ready2Roll Cycling team! You guys ROCK!!
I wanted to thank you, Steve, Robbie, Jan, Marshall and the entire support staff we staging such a wonderful spring riding season. This was my first year with Ready2Roll Cycling and I can’t praise enough the coordination and thoughtful planning that went into the series of rides. What a great opportunity for new novices like myself. My best to all and have a great MS 150.
“Jan, I appreciate what you and Marshall and Steve and Robbie do to promote safe, fun cycling opportunities for all of us, you guys rock !!!”
The only Important safety tip missing from Steve’s long emails: Don’t step in an ant pile just before you start your ride.
I had been cycling for only 14 months when I started the Ready2Roll Cycling series. After riding all spring, I know I’m ready for the BP MS 150; I can ride those hills, I can go the distance, I have the confidence to ride in a group with speed, and I am a courteous rider. In short, Ready2Roll is THE group to prepare for the MS, and meet some great people!!
Whether or not you are training for the MS 150 or just going along for the ride, the series is great for building endurance and speed.
I did it! 76 miles on Day 1 of the BP MS 150. I had some hills to climb! I had the wind in my face! Ready2Roll Cycling you trained me well! No SAG! Did NOT walk any hills! I climbed them like a boss!
Ready2Roll Cycling provides an amazing training series. The courses are well planned for to optimize safety as well as training benefit. The rides and communication promote a culture of safety and community. Ride support, both volunteer and corporate sponsors is incredible. I am grateful to have access to such an incredibly affordable and complete training series. Thank you!
Thank Ready2Roll Cycling for your awesome training and inputs. This (almost 63 year) Grandpa completed his Rookie MS 150 yesterday. The best decision I could have made is to join Ready2Roll. No way could I have done it otherwise. You guys rock!!!!
Ready2Roll Cycling does such an amazing job! Really impressed with every aspect of their volunteer coordination, ride organization, and communication. Had so much fun volunteering at Rest Stop 2!!!
Ready2Roll Cycling does it right! Informative emails so there are no surprises, excellent communication and organization, fabulous volunteers and sponsors, plus we know they care about us and have our backs when we are out on the road. No one could ask for more!
This series is always fantastic. It’s so nice to get out of the city and train in some of the beautiful countryside areas that the series takes us to. I’m an experienced rider now, 11 years training for the MS 150, but as a new rider, this series and Steve’s emails really taught me group riding skills and how to do pretty much everything to do with cycling, from how to dress to how to eat to how to stay SAFE. I greatly appreciate it.