6th Annual rideATAXIA NorCal Cycling Fundraiser Rolls Into Davis May 30

PHOTO: Billboards are up for rideATAXIA NorCal, courtesy of Clear Channel Outdoor, near the Galleria at Roseville and the corner of Highway 65 & Galleria Blvd. Image via Ride Ataxia on Facebook.

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News from Ride Ataxia NorCal 2015:

On May 30, 2015, families, cyclists, and food enthusiasts will gather for the 6th Annual rideATAXIA NorCal, a single day, multi-route cycling fundraiser presented by Outback Steakhouse to benefit the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), a non-profit dedicated to research leading to treatments and a cure for Friedreich’s ataxia (FA).

Celebrating its 6th year, rideATAXIA NorCal kicks off at Davis Veterans Memorial Center on Sunday, May 30, and offers 6, 19, 40, and 60 mile cycling routes on scenic country roads and a delicious post-ride lunch prepared by Outback Steakhouse.

Founded by Sacramento native Kyle Bryant, rideATAXIA provides hope and a way to take action in the face this debilitating disease for many local young adults living with FA.

Kyle Bryant, 33, carefully holds the straps on his bike helmet in each hand as he concentrates to align the buckle before snapping it in place. This simple act requires his full attention because at age 17, Kyle was told by doctors that he would lose his abilities over time, would soon be in a wheelchair, would lose the ability to take care of himself, and would likely die a premature death due to heart failure. Kyle was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), a degenerative neuro-muscular disorder with no treatment or cure.

FA causes a progressive loss of coordination and muscle strength and can also include life-threatening heart conditions, diabetes, and severe scoliosis. Symptoms usually start between the ages of 5 and 18, and most young people diagnosed with FA require mobility aids such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair by their teens or early 20s.

Growing up in Northern California, Kyle excelled at many sports but slowly lost the ability to participate as FA progressed and affected his mobility. Although scared for his future, Kyle was determined to move forward and went on to graduate from the University of California at Davis in 2005 with a degree in civil engineering. It was at UCD where he first met a researcher who was investigating FA—someone who understood the devastating disease and was working on a way to treat it. “It was the first time I was filled with hope,” said Bryant.

At that point, it was unsafe for Kyle to ride a bicycle. Filled with optimism, he decided to put a stop to the loss of the activity he cherished. Kyle took back control, purchased a recumbent trike, and resumed his riding with passion. In 2007, Bryant and his family decided to raise much needed awareness and funds for FA research by cycling 2,500 miles from San Diego to Memphis—and so rideATAXIA was born.

Since then, Kyle has grown rideATAXIA into a marquee fundraising program of FARA, creating a nationwide series of multi-route cycling events presented by Outback Steakhouse to benefit FARA in Dallas, Northern California, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Orlando. In 2014, rideATAXIA welcomed over 2,300 participants and raised over $800,000 to advance FA research, bringing total fundraising to $3 million since its inception.

“Starting rideATAXIA was a way that we could take action, moving my family and me out of a place where we felt alone, helpless, and threatened,” said Bryant. “Cycling allows me to take back control and feel empowered, and now that feeling is shared with others.”

Through rideATAXIA, local young adults Ashley Hartigan, Sean Baumstark, Megan McCandless, and Sean Mazeres can join Kyle in moving forward towards treatments and a cure as they directly support FA research while maintaining coordination and muscle strength by training for this milestone ride.

Ashley Hartigan, 19 years old (Fair Oaks, CA): Ashley Hartigan was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) at the young age of 9. FA has turned the everyday activities most of us take for granted into daily challenges for her. As difficult as the disease is, Ashley refuses to let it rob her of her spirit, making the most of every day and inspiring those around her.

Sean Baumstark, 34 years old (Sacramento, CA): Diagnosed with FA at the age of 25, Sean Baumstark is determined to defy all odds against him and inspire thousands of others to do the same. Sean teamed up with Kyle as part of a four-person team to complete “The World’s Toughest Bike Race,” the 3000 mile Race Across America (RAAM), which he and Kyle finished in 8 days, 8 hours, and 14 minutes. In 2013, Sean founded the organization and movement de:terminence to improve the quality of life for those jeopardized by disease or disorder through athleticism and physical achievement.www.seanbaumstark.com

Megan McCandless, 28 years old (Rancho Cordova, CA): Megan McCandless was diagnosed with FA when she turned 19. She is now 28 and faces many daily obstacles that FA brings, including being easily fatigued, muscle weakness, slurred speech, dropping things, falling, and not having the energy to do the activities she loves--like shopping! Megan and her family are raising awareness and money for FA research to nip this disease in the bud.

Sean Mazeres, 23 years old (Woodland, CA): Sean Mazeres was diagnosed with FA at the age of 16, and is still going strong. Although his abilities have changed since he was first diagnosed, he doesn’t let having FA define him as a person. Sean stated, “It can be hard at times knowing that it can never be the same, but you have to make the best out of what you have. I choose not to let FA stop me from doing what I love to do or slow me down with everyday life.” Sean’s family and supporters are riding at rideATAXIA NorCal as part of Team Sean. Team Sean is full of supporters who are all fighting to make a difference to find a cure.

Ride to cure FA with Kyle, Ashley, Sean B., Megan, and Sean M. For more information or to register, visit www.rideATAXIA.org/NorCal.

About Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance
The Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) is a national, public, 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to curing Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) through research. For more information about FARA, visit them online at www.curefa.org.