Cindy Hemenway prepares for "Ride MS Off"
A promise made - a promise not broken.
One young girl, 28 years old, diagnosed with MS 10 years ago, has an older sister pushing for a cure since that time. She has organized charity events in the hope that money raised will help not only her sister but many others withe Multiple Sclerosis.
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This year, Terry Felts, a 1985 graduate of MIT is leading the way as team captain of the cyclists riding for those with MS.. The event is called "Deception Pass Classic, 2019."
Felts, who sister has MS also has a good friend, who is originally from the Melrose area, but currently a resident of Stoneham.
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Cindy Hemenway.
Relaxing at Mt. Rainier before pedaling with a goal of raising funds to find a cure for MS.
Terry and Cindy became friends when in college in Boston. Hemenway is a 1973 graduate of Boston State College.
This weekend she, too, will be riding for MS in the state of Washington.
It is part of the promise she made to her friend. The pledge made by Cindy was that once she retired, she would join a ride for the cause. Currently, the disease that has led to Cindy's friend's sister having to live with a decade of dealing with MS issues that have now progressed to the point affecting her right eye and leg muscles.
Cycling has been in Hemenway's life since she was introduced to a bicycle. The eldest of eight in her family, she says, "I learned to bike when I was about 8. Got around on my bike like most kids, until I got my license and commuted by car to attend college in Boston.
Later in life, pedaling called her back ,"I got back on my bike for exercise when I was in my mid 50’s, and also because I wanted to explore the newly constructed bike trails that were starting to pop up in the New England area."
Now an avid cyclist, who still "loves to explore the rail trails, " she began training in earnest, on her own, following her retirement as an Instructional Assistant for the Lexington Public School System. " I started training when I retired on 1/1/18. A few of the places she frequents are within the North Shore area. she says she exercises at "Mike's Gym in Wakefield. I do not have a (personal) trainer. I do Spin classes three times a week, group exercise classes and water aerobics four or five times a week at the Reading Y."
Their team, "Riding MS Off," Hemenway explains, " is going to take them through a 59 mile route on day one and a 52 mile route day two."
She added there are other riders at various skill levels as well," There are 4 distances to choose from depending on the riders skill level and conditioning level."
Deception Pass Classic team members of,"Ride MS Off" will bike this weekend.
Many other teams and riders will also be out there.
(September 7th and 8th, 2019) in Seattle, Washington.
To learn more about the cyclists, MS and how you can become involved, follow the link below.
