MS 150

Utah's Best Dam Bike Tour adds century ride option for ‘99

The 13th annual "Utah's Best Dam MS 150 Bike Tour," hosted by the Utah Chapter National Multiple Sclerosis Society and presented by KSTU Fox 13, is Saturday and Sunday, June 26 and 27 in Cache Valley, Utah. Nearly 600 cyclists from throughout the state are expected to pedal 150 miles (75 miles each day) to raise money for the fight against multiple sclerosis (MS).

"Utah's Best Dam MS 150 Bike Tour is our biggest fund-raising event of the year," said Utah Chapter President Tami Featherstone. "We are counting on MS 150 cyclists and volunteers to help us meet or beat this year's fund raising goal of $200,000. This money will help the Utah Chapter fund research into the cause and cure of MS and help provide free programs to Utahns living with MS," added Featherstone.

Cyclists raise money per mile pedaled or by flat donations and are required to raise and turn in a minimum of $150 in donations on or before the MS 150 Bike Tour to participate.

"While recent MS research advances have been very encouraging, we must not lose sight of our ultimate goal: to end the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis. Thousands of Utahns living with MS are relying on us to bring them closer to more effective treatments, and even a cure," added Featherstone.

The scenic two-day route will begin and each day at the Cache County Fairgrounds at 9 a.m. Throughout the route, cyclists are catered with food and drink rest-stops every 10 to 15 miles. Also present throughout the ride will be medical, communication and mechanical support. When cyclists aren't riding, they'll be treated to massage therapists, hearty meals, free camping and festive activities.

For the more recreational rider and family cyclist, an optional, shorter route has been designed. This route will include a 40-mile ride each day, for a total of 80 miles.

New this year, a 100-mile "century ride" option will also be available. Interested riders will complete an additional 25 miles on Saturday to be able to say they completed a century ride.

Presenting sponsor of the 1999 Utah's Best Dam MS 150 Bike Tour is KSTU Fox 13. Other sponsors include: 94.9 ZHT, 101.9 KKAT, Larry H. Miller Charities, Laminating Specialties, Bingham Cyclery, Wasatch Therapy Inc./Wasatch Orthopedic, Frito Lay, Cool Water, Utah Commercial Contractors, Inc., Film Finders, Inc., Ad Centives West, Westminster College, Coca-Cola, Ken Garff Volvo, Autoliv, USU Community Credit Union, Q92, Penske, Wells Fargo, Great Western Business Forms, Inc., Smith's, Active Sports Recycling, Becton Dickinson, and Bicycling Magazine.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms may be mild such as numbness in the limbs or severe as paralysis or loss of vision. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40 but the unpredictable physical and emotional effects can be lifelong. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are giving hope to those affected by the disease.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society's mission is to end the devastating effects of MS. The Utah Chapter raises money to help fund research into the cause and cure of MS and to help provide free services to Utahns living with MS (counseling, physical/hydro therapy, equipment loan, social/recreational activities, newly diagnosed orientation.) For more information you can call 801-493-0113 or 1-800-527-8116. Information can also be obtained by calling the 24-hour national hotline at 1-800-FIGHT MS or by visiting our website at http://www.nmss.org.

NOTE: The "Dam" in Utah's Best Dam MS 150 Bike Tour is in reference to the water dams and reservoirs passed along the route.

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