2nd Annual Silver Valley Ride to Defeat ALS
- Steve Russo
- Jun 9, 2015
- 3 min read
The start of the 2014 Silver Valley Ride to Defeat ALS. Registration at RIDEALS.org.
The 2nd Annual Silver Valley Ride to Defeat ALS, a fundraising cycling event, will be held on Saturday, June 27 along the scenic Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, in Kingston, Idaho. The one-day cycling event is a major fundraiser for the Evergreen Chapter of the ALS Association to fight ALS—amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The Silver Valley Ride is one of only eight ALS Association sanctioned cycling fundraising events across the country. “Our inaugural Ride in 2014 was a great success,” said Cindy Moore, who is co-organizer of the event and serves on the Evergreen Chapter Board of Directors. “We raised more than $82,000 for local families living with ALS, and 117 cyclists participated. This year, our goal is to have 200 cyclists ride for ALS.”
Moore is no stranger to the disease, as she was diagnosed with ALS in 2010. “Most people are given only two to five years to live.” Moore said. “The neurological disease gradually paralyzes its victims, causing them to lose their ability to walk, speak, eat, and eventually breathe. Yet the person’s mind remains sharp and aware of the total paralysis that is setting in.” Moore has accepted her fate in living with ALS, but continues to work for the cause, “So it doesn’t have to be that way for future generations.”
The funds raised from the Ride are used within the region to provide care services for “PALS” –Person with ALS– and their families. According to the Evergreen Chapter, more than 500 people in Idaho, Washington, Montana and Alaska are currently living with the disease.
The Silver Valley Ride is family-friendly and takes place along the scenic Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, beginning and ending at the Enaville Trailhead, across from the Snake Pit Resort. Participants can choose from twodistances—27.2 or 42.6 miles. A safety team, several staffed refreshment stops, and Ride volunteers will be present along the route. Participants can create a team, join a team, ride as an individual, or be a “virtual” cyclist (raise funds without participating in the Ride). The event is open to anyone 12 years or older, and children under 12 years can participate as a ride-along with an adult, if riding on a tandem-, trailer-, or tag-along bike.
Ride organizers are encouraging PALS to participate as well. The paved trail has options for the mobility disabled, and wheelchairs, manual assistance devices, and mobility scooters are all permitted on the Trail.
“I would like to personally invite PALS to join in this event,” Moore said. “Many people registered for the Ridehave no connection to ALS. The involvement of PALS will inspire them to continue to support the ALS cause.”
In conjunction with the Ride, a Silent Auction and Raffle will be held. “We have autographed photos of former and current NFL players and coaches: Kellogg native Mike Hollis (Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills and New York Giants), John Beasley (Minnesota Vikings), Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos), and Pete Carroll (coach of the Seattle Seahawks).
The registration fee is $50 through June 26 and $60 the day of the event, and includes a catered lunch provided by the Snake Pit. Registration and additional information is available online: http://www.RideALS.org, and on the Ride’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SilverValleyALSRide.
The ride is sponsored by Hecla Mining Company and the Evergreen Chapter of the ALS Association. Additional sponsors include BDO, Grant Thornton, Numotion, Integrity Print Resources Inc., and Pedal Pushers.
2014 Cindy's Cyclists team members rally around Cindy Moore, co-founder and organizer of the Silver Valley Ride to Defeat ALS. Moore was diagnosed with ALS in 2010.
About ALS: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that typically strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70. Common first symptoms are a painless weakness in a limb, or difficulty with speech, swallowing or walking. Post-diagnosis life expectancy for a person with ALS is three to five years. There are more than 500 ALS patients living in Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Alaska. The Evergreen Chapter and theALS Association provide critical assistance for patients and their families at every stage of the disease through patient care management, assistive technology, medical equipment loan programs, support groups, and multidisciplinary ALS clinics.
About Hecla Mining Company: Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) is a leading low-cost U.S. silver producer with operating mines in Alaska and Idaho, and is a growing gold producer with an operating mine in Quebec, Canada. www.hecla-mining.com.
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