May 10, 2025 • 19 mins
This warmer weather is the perfect time to dust off the bike and hit the road for a good cause. Bike MS is holding its annual "Cape Cod Getaway" next month to raise money for the National MS Society, which works each and every day to find a cure for multiple sclerosis. The Getaway is a two-day affair, and you won't even have to rent a vacation house! Jennifer Dowdy, the Development Director of Bike MS, and Liam Kennedy, captain of Liam's Lucky Charms, join Nichole to talk about it.
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend.
Each and every week right here, we come together and
talk about all the topics important to you and the
place where you live. Gad to be back with you
again this weekend. I'm Nicole Davis. We're now in warmer
weather where you can just go out there to the garage,
dust off the bike after work, or if you're out
there on the weekend and it's not braining like it
(00:29):
seems to be every weekend and go on the trail
or go down the street, get some fresh air, do
your body good. You can also do some good by
spending your time on the bike raising money for a
good cause. Next month, Bike MSS is holding its annual
Cape cod Get a way to raise money for the
National MS Society. If you're not familiar with multiple sclerosis,
we'll talk about it more in a minute, but as
(00:50):
a bit of an overview, this is a chronic illness
and it impacts your central nervous system, which over time
causes debilitating symptoms. The money raised from events like this
go towards a future, hopefully where MS is no longer
quite so devastating. Let's talk about this upcoming event in June.
Jennifer Dowdy is the development director for Bike MS. Liam
Kennedy runs one of the biggest teams in this event,
(01:12):
Liam's Lucky Charms and it is great to have you
both here. Jen, We'll start with you. I want to
learn a bit more before we start talking about the ride,
about the MS Society in general, and a little bit
more about MS. Talk about that and just tell me
about the work you're doing to fight back against it.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, absolutely so, National MS Society.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
We're actually just celebrating close to eighty years since our
national nonprofit started. Really started with our founder, Silvia Lari,
who placed an ad in the New York Times and
she was looking for some answers about her brother who
was diagnosed with MS. And eighty years later, we are
(01:54):
a powerful nonprofit that is leading the way and leading
the charge for those living with MS. We have a
very you know, clear and bold mission and it's pretty
straightforward that we're gonna cure MS and the way we
cure MS is doing that through the generosity of people
(02:15):
with their their time, their donations, and their skill set
to really make a difference for people living with MS,
for those.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
That are not familiar with MS.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
MS stands for multiple sclerosis, which is a really an
unpredictable in many cases, a disabling disease of the central
nervous system and it disrupts the flow of information from
the brain and the body.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
The exact cause for.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
MS is unknown, but through with the MS Society and research,
we are able to find earlier diagnoses for folks and
we have dozens of treatments out for MS, all through
research and getting us closer to a cure.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
So one of the pivotal.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
Ways that we raise funds to go towards that research
are through fundraising events.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Like Bike MS. Bike MS is.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
The largest charity cycling series in the world, and very
proud that our Bike MS Cape cod Getaway is our
largest Bike MSS ride in the New England area.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
I love that, and Liam, before we get into the
details about us bike and MASS and everything like that,
tell me a little bit about you and why you
choose to take part in these activities with Bike and MASS.
Speaker 4 (03:40):
Well back in two thousand and eight, I was actually
diagnosed with multiple scrosis and so friends rallied around me,
a friends called the Carter family that I grew up
with rallied around me and want to show support, and
so they found this ride I don't know where they found,
I think on the Internet somewhere and said, hey, we
want to support you. Would you like to do this
ride with us? And so, you know that year we
(04:02):
had about five or five to ten riders. I wasn't
really a cyclist, so I guess they just found an
event that might be something that we could do together
as a group of us. And you know, we started
back in two thousand and eight with ten of us.
We call ourselves the Bad News Bearers of biking, most
mainly because none of us had.
Speaker 5 (04:18):
Been on a bike since we were probably in our
teen years.
Speaker 4 (04:22):
And our team has grown, you know, since then, and
this is our sixteenth or seventeenth ride with the bike
MS Cape Caud Getaway.
Speaker 5 (04:31):
So it's grown in size and scope.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
Over the past many years, raising a lot of money
for those living with MS and to support you know,
those individuals, and also to fight MS to ultimately end MS.
Speaker 5 (04:44):
As Jena had mentioned.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
Yeah, it's a very personal topic to me because very
close people in my life have MS, and I've watched
how this disease essentially ravages people and it's either progressive
or it's relapsing remitting. Everybody has a different experience with MS,
but at the end of the day, it can it
changes your life and tell me a little bit about
your experience. How however much you feel comfortable sharing your
(05:07):
experience with MS. I mean, obviously you've been doing this
almost twenty years, which is incredible. But the disease does progress.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Yeah, I'm an open books, all answer anything, but yeah,
so I luckily have relapse remitting. Through my journey with
the MS society, I've met a lot of people with
progressive MS. You know, there's a lot of inspiring stories
about what they're going through and how they battle every day.
You know that, you know that keeps keeps me motivated
to keep doing this and keep raising money. I feel
very fortunate that I am in the relapse remitting stage
(05:36):
of MS. I'm not saying that I'm not going to
move to the progressive you never know. So a part
of it is selfish, I guess, in terms of raising
money to make sure we do have a cure by
the time that might happen to me. But you know,
meeting the people that we've met along the way, whether
it's with the ride or other events that the MS
Society hosts and manages. You know, it's an it's inspiring,
(05:58):
and I think that's that's really why we do why
we're doing this. You know, the ride itself is a
very fun ride. I know we're gonna get a little
more detailed with the ride, but you know, it's a
fun ride with a lot of energy.
Speaker 5 (06:08):
But you know, ultimately, what we're doing here is trying
to end MS.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
And the treatments have come so far. As Jen just mentioned,
there are dozens of treatments out there now. And I
think that people with MS, I mean, obviously, like we mentioned,
it is a debilitating disease. But at the end of
the day, there is more hope now than there really
has ever been, I.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Feel absolutely, I mean sadly, right, people are getting diagnosed
every day. Yeah, and a diagnosis today is very different
than a diagnosis was even just you know, ten twenty
years ago, right, And that hope is is because of.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
The progress that we're making.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
You know, I think we get goosebumps sometimes when you
can see your dollars in action, right the fundraising through
Cape cod Getaway. You can see the tangible impact, right,
We're seeing more medications. We're seeing more you know, different therapy.
We're seeing more advocacy and more awareness so that when
(07:05):
someone has symptoms, that they're getting a diagnosis earlier and
they're not losing precious time.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
So it's not it's not the same diagnosis as it
was years ago.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
And that's that's really the power of what we've been
able to do with fundraising that's going to research. It's
really it's again it's get goosebumps. Yeah, you can see
that in action.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
It's awesome.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
Yeah, let's talk about the event. Because I am not
a biker or a cyclist. I know, biker and cyclist
are very different things. If it was on a motorcycle,
it would probably be easier, but it is not. It
is a ride from Quinsy all the way out to Provincetown.
I mean, Cape Cod is gorgeous this time of year.
This is going to be happening in June next month,
so I mean it's going to be stunning. But for
(07:50):
those of us who are not exactly athletes, I mean, Liam,
talk to me a little bit about the course here
and what you see and what you experience when you're
on that course from Quincy all way out to Peetown.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
Yeah, I would say what I tell people to when
they're joining is it's a weekend celebration party with a
bike ride in between. Because there is a lot of
us celebrating and parting going on throughout the weekend, it is,
it seems challenging, it seems daunting. I would say that
it is actually not as difficult as you might think.
There's tremendous support staff throughout the ride. So starting Quinsy
(08:25):
all the way down to Bourne for day one, every
ten to fifteen miles there's a stop. You get food,
you get drink, you re energize, and you keep going.
So even if you can do it in ten to
fifteen mile increments, it makes it a lot easier. To
kind of break it down that way I've often had.
I think it's actually easier than the marathon, even though
it's you know, one hundred and fifty miles versus twenty six,
because you have a lot of breaks.
Speaker 5 (08:47):
You're on a bike.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
The bike is constantly moving, so even if you're not
moving your legs, the bike is moving in the direction
you need it to. But the weekend itself, I think
the motivation I get throughout the weekend is the energy
you feel, the emotions, the inspiring stories as I mentioned,
but you have all these people, hundreds and hundreds of
people riding for the same purpose, right to fight MS,
(09:09):
to support those living with MS, but having fun while
you're doing it with friends and family or people you
just met, you know, throughout the ride weekend. I have
my team, but we also meet so many people along
the ride. I'm just excited to be there and you
meet these people and it's hard not to be excited
about the weekend.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
No, I can only imagine and just feeling that energy,
the adrenaline it gets you through and you know, thankfully
it's not too hilly in that part of the state,
so that helps as well. And you know, Jennifer, let's
talk about then, the details that people need to know
when they are taking this bike ride again, Quincy to Provincetown.
What are we looking at here?
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Bike and mess Cape Kaigawa.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
It's the last weekend in gym June twenty eighth and
June twenty ninth, and you know, we hope are that
everyone wants to do those two days right all the
way from Quincy to Provincetown.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
But we have options also.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
For those folks where let me, let me start slower,
so I can definitely do just one day, not a problem.
We also have a shorter route which is just under
forty miles. So and we also partner with different bike
shops across the state, including rental bike rentals.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
So also if you don't even own a bike yet,
we've got you covered. So what really makes Bike and
Mess so special is you.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
Are completely supported from you know, from go all the
way to the end. So like like Liam said, we've
got rest stops, We've got if you're doing the two days,
well let's you we have overnight accommodations at our finish
line on Saturday and born at mass Maritime Academy. We
(10:44):
have if you can't make it the full length distance,
like say something, oh.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
You know I today ended up being yeah, well.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
Sidnt train as much as I thought, or you know what,
I want to support the mission. I know I don't
even have forty miles in me right, we have volunteers
that will drive you to the finish line.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
You're never you know, you're never stranded something goes wrong.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
So even if you can't do the full forty miles
or the full one hundred and seventy five.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
We've got you covered.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
We've got transportation to get back to the starting line,
so we have some ac coach buses. And then the
fan favorite for especially for Liam's Lucky Charms and others,
is we also have a privately charted ferry that will
also go from Provincetown back to Quincy's startling too, So
that's that's usually that's the party, that's the real fun celebration.
(11:33):
So we have a lot of you know, wonderful opportunities
and again where you're supported that entire way. And like
Liam said, it's just a wonderful, wonderful community. So you know,
even though it can seem intimidating when you think, wow,
really just to look back and see that distance from
Quincy to Provincetown, we really have it for all all
levels of ability. And again say it's a you know,
(11:56):
someone's having a tough day, don't worry.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
We got you.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
You know we had We'll keep yet, We'll make sure
you're going to get to that finish line and back.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Home literally supported the entire way. You're never alone. And
that's kind of like how life is with MS in
a way. If you think about it, Liam.
Speaker 5 (12:12):
Yeah, absolutely, I mean that's amazing.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
I like how you said that. Yeah, it's an amazing event.
I know I've said that probably too many times, but
it is something. It's probably the most meaningful weekends of
the year for me overall, when you don't need to
be a serious cyclist. I think out of the one
hundred on my team, sixty to seventy percent pick up
their bike just to train, to be ready and to
survive the weekend. So it's not like it's, you know,
(12:35):
a bunch of serious cyclists making their way down.
Speaker 5 (12:38):
It's very family atmosphere.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
When you get down to the finish line after day
one and day two you have the party, as Jen
mentioned on the way back on the ferry, which is
a lot of fun. But you don't, like I said,
you just need, you know, want to be part of
something bigger than yourself. You want to be part of
something that's a lot of fun throughout the weekend and
raising money for.
Speaker 5 (12:56):
An amazing cause.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
I mean, I think about when I started, you know,
I started with a bar a bike and very low
cycling ability.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Oh wow, okay, now you know we're.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
Part of something, you know, truly making a difference. In
having fun in the process.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
And I noticed here by the way, Jen, that the
finish line is in a new location. So tell me
a little bit about why that moved and where this is.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Yeah, so our day to our our final finish line
is that Pilgrim Monument right there in Provincetown, and so
we moved it.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Just just slightly.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
We always finish in Provincetown, but Pilgrim Monument is so
iconic for pe Town.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
You get some.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
Gorgeous views, and we really knew it it'd really make for.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
An even better finish line experience.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
Right crossing that final final finish line, that adrenaline that's
moving you forward again. Our hope care is that you know,
each rider has goosebumps as they're crossing that finish line
with the excitement and the pride and you know, probably
some some.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Good sweat going on too.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
But we want, we're we're really excited to really you know,
we like to be part of the local communities that
we're in. That's what's also makes seeing all the cape
and you know through South Shore on a bike, you
just get a really different experience. There's things that you
notice that you don't notice from a car. From a vehicle.
So we we really take pride in making sure we're
(14:19):
part of our local communities that we're going in and
the Pilgrim Monument is such a great part of Peatown
as well.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Let's then talk about the most important part here. I mean,
the bike ride is great and the party is fun
and all that stuff, but we're fundraising here. So Jen
tell me about what we need to do for fundraising.
If you sign up for this.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
Yeah, absolutely, So we ask each participant to raise a
minimum of five hundred dollars and we've got so much
support and tools and resources to help you get there.
So it's based on for those familiar with a peer
to peer fundraising model. So there's some folks that can
just write you know, do you know, run their credit
(14:58):
card and pay five hundred dollars. But the goal is
that you're going to tell people about what you're doing.
You're going to tell folks and share Hey, I'm doing
bike MS Cape cod getaway. Would you be interested in
donating to my for me for this ride? And in
doing so, it's engaging others to make a donation to
the MS Society. It's raising awareness. So hopefully it's a
(15:20):
great conversation starter. Wait what did you say?
Speaker 2 (15:23):
MS? Tell me more about that. I've never heard of MS.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
It's a great way for people to share their story
and share their connection for why they're doing Cape god
get Away, because those are the best stories, right, There's
so many different reasons and so those are the great ones.
So that's really the power of again where it's called
this peer to peer fundraising model, which is what bike
MS is based on. So we have lots of tools
(15:47):
and resources to make sure that that five hundred found
raising minimum is going to feel good and you know,
not going to be a deterrent in what you're doing.
And then of course we want to recognize and and
really celebrate those folks that go even beyond the five
hundred fundraising minimum. So we've got some great things. We've
(16:07):
got some Bike and mess branded prizes based on different
fundraising levels for those folks that fundraise one thousand dollars.
We've got customized Cape kid Getaway jerseys that you get
to rock and.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Support, which are are a lot of fun.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
We have a massage at our Day one finish line
to really help with the muscles and recovery, and lots
of other fun perks and prizes to help motivate for
some of those first that fundraising and then again to
really apprecia, show appreciation to those folks that are going
above and beyond to making a difference.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
So where can people then find out information about not
just the ride itself, but the fundraising, the the tools
that you've got everything and to sign up for this
because there's still plenty of time, but you've got to
get going now. If you want to get that fundraising going.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
You've got it.
Speaker 3 (17:00):
Bike ms dot org. Okay, that'll bring you. You'll be
all to find Cape Cod Getaway and.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
All of our bike MS resources as well.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
Okay, and LIAMMSS dot org, bike ms dot org And Liam,
I guess my last question for you. You know, what
is your advice for somebody who's listening to this and
kind of mulling it over in their head, Like you
know a lot of us know somebody with MS and
we're like, well, I don't know, I'm not really a
big cyclistn't that baby? But what would you say to
this person who maybe just needs a little bit of
a push?
Speaker 5 (17:30):
Yeah, I mean, don't fill overwhelmed by it.
Speaker 4 (17:32):
I mean one hundred and fifty miles seems like a
lot whenever I mentioned to someone, they're like one hundred
and fifty miles. But it's, like I mentioned before, it's
a well supported ride.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
You know.
Speaker 4 (17:42):
As an example, we had a few years ago, we
had a couple of eighty year old riders that finished
full two days. They're eighty years old and they finished,
you know, day one. He wrote, eighty miles versus seventy
five because the birthday day two seventy five.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
Then his wife two.
Speaker 4 (17:58):
Years later rode eight at eighty years old. So if
they can do it, anyone can do it. I mean,
it's honestly, it's it's a it's a weekend. Where I
mentioned before, it's a very inspiring, fun, energetic weekend.
Speaker 5 (18:12):
So don't be overwhelmed by the mileage.
Speaker 4 (18:16):
If you need any support, you know, call the MS Society,
call me Liam's Lucky terms dot com. I'll make content.
Information is there as well. But again it's if you
want to do something that's bigger than yourself, you know,
come ride with us. You don't need to be a
serious cyclist. There are ways of getting a bike. If
you don't have a bike, you can rent a bike,
you can borrow someone's bike like I did that first year,
(18:37):
and so you know, don't be overwhelmed.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Okay, Well, Jen and Liam, thank you so much for
all the information. Have a great race this time, it's
not even a race. I'd say, have a great weekend.
Enjoy yourself, and I hope it all goes well. And
what is this your seventeenth eighteenth race at this point, Liam,
so enjoy for me.
Speaker 4 (18:54):
Yes, it's my seventeenth. I think it's over the fortieth further.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
A wow, the forty first part.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
First, well, I hope it all goes swimmingly. And thank
you for all you do for people who are dealing
with MS. And thank you for raising money for the cause.
Speaker 5 (19:08):
Thanks, Nicole, really appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (19:09):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
Have a safe and healthy weekend. Please join me again
next week for another edition of the show. I'm Nicole
Davis from WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio.
From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend.
Each and every week right here, we come together and
talk about all the topics important to you and the
place where you live. Gad to be back with you
again this weekend. I'm Nicole Davis. We're now in warmer
weather where you can just go out there to the garage,
dust off the bike after work, or if you're out
there on the weekend and it's not braining like it
(00:29):
seems to be every weekend and go on the trail
or go down the street, get some fresh air, do
your body good. You can also do some good by
spending your time on the bike raising money for a
good cause. Next month, Bike MSS is holding its annual
Cape cod Get a way to raise money for the
National MS Society. If you're not familiar with multiple sclerosis,
we'll talk about it more in a minute, but as
(00:50):
a bit of an overview, this is a chronic illness
and it impacts your central nervous system, which over time
causes debilitating symptoms. The money raised from events like this
go towards a future, hopefully where MS is no longer
quite so devastating. Let's talk about this upcoming event in June.
Jennifer Dowdy is the development director for Bike MS. Liam
Kennedy runs one of the biggest teams in this event,
(01:12):
Liam's Lucky Charms and it is great to have you
both here. Jen, We'll start with you. I want to
learn a bit more before we start talking about the ride,
about the MS Society in general, and a little bit
more about MS. Talk about that and just tell me
about the work you're doing to fight back against it.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, absolutely so, National MS Society.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
We're actually just celebrating close to eighty years since our
national nonprofit started. Really started with our founder, Silvia Lari,
who placed an ad in the New York Times and
she was looking for some answers about her brother who
was diagnosed with MS. And eighty years later, we are
(01:54):
a powerful nonprofit that is leading the way and leading
the charge for those living with MS. We have a
very you know, clear and bold mission and it's pretty
straightforward that we're gonna cure MS and the way we
cure MS is doing that through the generosity of people
(02:15):
with their their time, their donations, and their skill set
to really make a difference for people living with MS,
for those.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
That are not familiar with MS.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
MS stands for multiple sclerosis, which is a really an
unpredictable in many cases, a disabling disease of the central
nervous system and it disrupts the flow of information from
the brain and the body.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
The exact cause for.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
MS is unknown, but through with the MS Society and research,
we are able to find earlier diagnoses for folks and
we have dozens of treatments out for MS, all through
research and getting us closer to a cure.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
So one of the pivotal.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
Ways that we raise funds to go towards that research
are through fundraising events.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Like Bike MS. Bike MS is.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
The largest charity cycling series in the world, and very
proud that our Bike MS Cape cod Getaway is our
largest Bike MSS ride in the New England area.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
I love that, and Liam, before we get into the
details about us bike and MASS and everything like that,
tell me a little bit about you and why you
choose to take part in these activities with Bike and MASS.
Speaker 4 (03:40):
Well back in two thousand and eight, I was actually
diagnosed with multiple scrosis and so friends rallied around me,
a friends called the Carter family that I grew up
with rallied around me and want to show support, and
so they found this ride I don't know where they found,
I think on the Internet somewhere and said, hey, we
want to support you. Would you like to do this
ride with us? And so, you know that year we
(04:02):
had about five or five to ten riders. I wasn't
really a cyclist, so I guess they just found an
event that might be something that we could do together
as a group of us. And you know, we started
back in two thousand and eight with ten of us.
We call ourselves the Bad News Bearers of biking, most
mainly because none of us had.
Speaker 5 (04:18):
Been on a bike since we were probably in our
teen years.
Speaker 4 (04:22):
And our team has grown, you know, since then, and
this is our sixteenth or seventeenth ride with the bike
MS Cape Caud Getaway.
Speaker 5 (04:31):
So it's grown in size and scope.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
Over the past many years, raising a lot of money
for those living with MS and to support you know,
those individuals, and also to fight MS to ultimately end MS.
Speaker 5 (04:44):
As Jena had mentioned.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
Yeah, it's a very personal topic to me because very
close people in my life have MS, and I've watched
how this disease essentially ravages people and it's either progressive
or it's relapsing remitting. Everybody has a different experience with MS,
but at the end of the day, it can it
changes your life and tell me a little bit about
your experience. How however much you feel comfortable sharing your
(05:07):
experience with MS. I mean, obviously you've been doing this
almost twenty years, which is incredible. But the disease does progress.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Yeah, I'm an open books, all answer anything, but yeah,
so I luckily have relapse remitting. Through my journey with
the MS society, I've met a lot of people with
progressive MS. You know, there's a lot of inspiring stories
about what they're going through and how they battle every day.
You know that, you know that keeps keeps me motivated
to keep doing this and keep raising money. I feel
very fortunate that I am in the relapse remitting stage
(05:36):
of MS. I'm not saying that I'm not going to
move to the progressive you never know. So a part
of it is selfish, I guess, in terms of raising
money to make sure we do have a cure by
the time that might happen to me. But you know,
meeting the people that we've met along the way, whether
it's with the ride or other events that the MS
Society hosts and manages. You know, it's an it's inspiring,
(05:58):
and I think that's that's really why we do why
we're doing this. You know, the ride itself is a
very fun ride. I know we're gonna get a little
more detailed with the ride, but you know, it's a
fun ride with a lot of energy.
Speaker 5 (06:08):
But you know, ultimately, what we're doing here is trying
to end MS.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
And the treatments have come so far. As Jen just mentioned,
there are dozens of treatments out there now. And I
think that people with MS, I mean, obviously, like we mentioned,
it is a debilitating disease. But at the end of
the day, there is more hope now than there really
has ever been, I.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Feel absolutely, I mean sadly, right, people are getting diagnosed
every day. Yeah, and a diagnosis today is very different
than a diagnosis was even just you know, ten twenty
years ago, right, And that hope is is because of.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
The progress that we're making.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
You know, I think we get goosebumps sometimes when you
can see your dollars in action, right the fundraising through
Cape cod Getaway. You can see the tangible impact, right,
We're seeing more medications. We're seeing more you know, different therapy.
We're seeing more advocacy and more awareness so that when
(07:05):
someone has symptoms, that they're getting a diagnosis earlier and
they're not losing precious time.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
So it's not it's not the same diagnosis as it
was years ago.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
And that's that's really the power of what we've been
able to do with fundraising that's going to research. It's
really it's again it's get goosebumps. Yeah, you can see
that in action.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
It's awesome.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
Yeah, let's talk about the event. Because I am not
a biker or a cyclist. I know, biker and cyclist
are very different things. If it was on a motorcycle,
it would probably be easier, but it is not. It
is a ride from Quinsy all the way out to Provincetown.
I mean, Cape Cod is gorgeous this time of year.
This is going to be happening in June next month,
so I mean it's going to be stunning. But for
(07:50):
those of us who are not exactly athletes, I mean, Liam,
talk to me a little bit about the course here
and what you see and what you experience when you're
on that course from Quincy all way out to Peetown.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
Yeah, I would say what I tell people to when
they're joining is it's a weekend celebration party with a
bike ride in between. Because there is a lot of
us celebrating and parting going on throughout the weekend, it is,
it seems challenging, it seems daunting. I would say that
it is actually not as difficult as you might think.
There's tremendous support staff throughout the ride. So starting Quinsy
(08:25):
all the way down to Bourne for day one, every
ten to fifteen miles there's a stop. You get food,
you get drink, you re energize, and you keep going.
So even if you can do it in ten to
fifteen mile increments, it makes it a lot easier. To
kind of break it down that way I've often had.
I think it's actually easier than the marathon, even though
it's you know, one hundred and fifty miles versus twenty six,
because you have a lot of breaks.
Speaker 5 (08:47):
You're on a bike.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
The bike is constantly moving, so even if you're not
moving your legs, the bike is moving in the direction
you need it to. But the weekend itself, I think
the motivation I get throughout the weekend is the energy
you feel, the emotions, the inspiring stories as I mentioned,
but you have all these people, hundreds and hundreds of
people riding for the same purpose, right to fight MS,
(09:09):
to support those living with MS, but having fun while
you're doing it with friends and family or people you
just met, you know, throughout the ride weekend. I have
my team, but we also meet so many people along
the ride. I'm just excited to be there and you
meet these people and it's hard not to be excited
about the weekend.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
No, I can only imagine and just feeling that energy,
the adrenaline it gets you through and you know, thankfully
it's not too hilly in that part of the state,
so that helps as well. And you know, Jennifer, let's
talk about then, the details that people need to know
when they are taking this bike ride again, Quincy to Provincetown.
What are we looking at here?
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Bike and mess Cape Kaigawa.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
It's the last weekend in gym June twenty eighth and
June twenty ninth, and you know, we hope are that
everyone wants to do those two days right all the
way from Quincy to Provincetown.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
But we have options also.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
For those folks where let me, let me start slower,
so I can definitely do just one day, not a problem.
We also have a shorter route which is just under
forty miles. So and we also partner with different bike
shops across the state, including rental bike rentals.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
So also if you don't even own a bike yet,
we've got you covered. So what really makes Bike and
Mess so special is you.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
Are completely supported from you know, from go all the
way to the end. So like like Liam said, we've
got rest stops, We've got if you're doing the two days,
well let's you we have overnight accommodations at our finish
line on Saturday and born at mass Maritime Academy. We
(10:44):
have if you can't make it the full length distance,
like say something, oh.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
You know I today ended up being yeah, well.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
Sidnt train as much as I thought, or you know what,
I want to support the mission. I know I don't
even have forty miles in me right, we have volunteers
that will drive you to the finish line.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
You're never you know, you're never stranded something goes wrong.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
So even if you can't do the full forty miles
or the full one hundred and seventy five.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
We've got you covered.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
We've got transportation to get back to the starting line,
so we have some ac coach buses. And then the
fan favorite for especially for Liam's Lucky Charms and others,
is we also have a privately charted ferry that will
also go from Provincetown back to Quincy's startling too, So
that's that's usually that's the party, that's the real fun celebration.
(11:33):
So we have a lot of you know, wonderful opportunities
and again where you're supported that entire way. And like
Liam said, it's just a wonderful, wonderful community. So you know,
even though it can seem intimidating when you think, wow,
really just to look back and see that distance from
Quincy to Provincetown, we really have it for all all
levels of ability. And again say it's a you know,
(11:56):
someone's having a tough day, don't worry.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
We got you.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
You know we had We'll keep yet, We'll make sure
you're going to get to that finish line and back.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Home literally supported the entire way. You're never alone. And
that's kind of like how life is with MS in
a way. If you think about it, Liam.
Speaker 5 (12:12):
Yeah, absolutely, I mean that's amazing.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
I like how you said that. Yeah, it's an amazing event.
I know I've said that probably too many times, but
it is something. It's probably the most meaningful weekends of
the year for me overall, when you don't need to
be a serious cyclist. I think out of the one
hundred on my team, sixty to seventy percent pick up
their bike just to train, to be ready and to
survive the weekend. So it's not like it's, you know,
(12:35):
a bunch of serious cyclists making their way down.
Speaker 5 (12:38):
It's very family atmosphere.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
When you get down to the finish line after day
one and day two you have the party, as Jen
mentioned on the way back on the ferry, which is
a lot of fun. But you don't, like I said,
you just need, you know, want to be part of
something bigger than yourself. You want to be part of
something that's a lot of fun throughout the weekend and
raising money for.
Speaker 5 (12:56):
An amazing cause.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
I mean, I think about when I started, you know,
I started with a bar a bike and very low
cycling ability.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Oh wow, okay, now you know we're.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
Part of something, you know, truly making a difference. In
having fun in the process.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
And I noticed here by the way, Jen, that the
finish line is in a new location. So tell me
a little bit about why that moved and where this is.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Yeah, so our day to our our final finish line
is that Pilgrim Monument right there in Provincetown, and so
we moved it.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Just just slightly.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
We always finish in Provincetown, but Pilgrim Monument is so
iconic for pe Town.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
You get some.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
Gorgeous views, and we really knew it it'd really make for.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
An even better finish line experience.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
Right crossing that final final finish line, that adrenaline that's
moving you forward again. Our hope care is that you know,
each rider has goosebumps as they're crossing that finish line
with the excitement and the pride and you know, probably
some some.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Good sweat going on too.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
But we want, we're we're really excited to really you know,
we like to be part of the local communities that
we're in. That's what's also makes seeing all the cape
and you know through South Shore on a bike, you
just get a really different experience. There's things that you
notice that you don't notice from a car. From a vehicle.
So we we really take pride in making sure we're
(14:19):
part of our local communities that we're going in and
the Pilgrim Monument is such a great part of Peatown
as well.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Let's then talk about the most important part here. I mean,
the bike ride is great and the party is fun
and all that stuff, but we're fundraising here. So Jen
tell me about what we need to do for fundraising.
If you sign up for this.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
Yeah, absolutely, So we ask each participant to raise a
minimum of five hundred dollars and we've got so much
support and tools and resources to help you get there.
So it's based on for those familiar with a peer
to peer fundraising model. So there's some folks that can
just write you know, do you know, run their credit
(14:58):
card and pay five hundred dollars. But the goal is
that you're going to tell people about what you're doing.
You're going to tell folks and share Hey, I'm doing
bike MS Cape cod getaway. Would you be interested in
donating to my for me for this ride? And in
doing so, it's engaging others to make a donation to
the MS Society. It's raising awareness. So hopefully it's a
(15:20):
great conversation starter. Wait what did you say?
Speaker 2 (15:23):
MS? Tell me more about that. I've never heard of MS.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
It's a great way for people to share their story
and share their connection for why they're doing Cape god
get Away, because those are the best stories, right, There's
so many different reasons and so those are the great ones.
So that's really the power of again where it's called
this peer to peer fundraising model, which is what bike
MS is based on. So we have lots of tools
(15:47):
and resources to make sure that that five hundred found
raising minimum is going to feel good and you know,
not going to be a deterrent in what you're doing.
And then of course we want to recognize and and
really celebrate those folks that go even beyond the five
hundred fundraising minimum. So we've got some great things. We've
(16:07):
got some Bike and mess branded prizes based on different
fundraising levels for those folks that fundraise one thousand dollars.
We've got customized Cape kid Getaway jerseys that you get
to rock and.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Support, which are are a lot of fun.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
We have a massage at our Day one finish line
to really help with the muscles and recovery, and lots
of other fun perks and prizes to help motivate for
some of those first that fundraising and then again to
really apprecia, show appreciation to those folks that are going
above and beyond to making a difference.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
So where can people then find out information about not
just the ride itself, but the fundraising, the the tools
that you've got everything and to sign up for this
because there's still plenty of time, but you've got to
get going now. If you want to get that fundraising going.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
You've got it.
Speaker 3 (17:00):
Bike ms dot org. Okay, that'll bring you. You'll be
all to find Cape Cod Getaway and.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
All of our bike MS resources as well.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
Okay, and LIAMMSS dot org, bike ms dot org And Liam,
I guess my last question for you. You know, what
is your advice for somebody who's listening to this and
kind of mulling it over in their head, Like you
know a lot of us know somebody with MS and
we're like, well, I don't know, I'm not really a
big cyclistn't that baby? But what would you say to
this person who maybe just needs a little bit of
a push?
Speaker 5 (17:30):
Yeah, I mean, don't fill overwhelmed by it.
Speaker 4 (17:32):
I mean one hundred and fifty miles seems like a
lot whenever I mentioned to someone, they're like one hundred
and fifty miles. But it's, like I mentioned before, it's
a well supported ride.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
You know.
Speaker 4 (17:42):
As an example, we had a few years ago, we
had a couple of eighty year old riders that finished
full two days. They're eighty years old and they finished,
you know, day one. He wrote, eighty miles versus seventy
five because the birthday day two seventy five.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
Then his wife two.
Speaker 4 (17:58):
Years later rode eight at eighty years old. So if
they can do it, anyone can do it. I mean,
it's honestly, it's it's a it's a weekend. Where I
mentioned before, it's a very inspiring, fun, energetic weekend.
Speaker 5 (18:12):
So don't be overwhelmed by the mileage.
Speaker 4 (18:16):
If you need any support, you know, call the MS Society,
call me Liam's Lucky terms dot com. I'll make content.
Information is there as well. But again it's if you
want to do something that's bigger than yourself, you know,
come ride with us. You don't need to be a
serious cyclist. There are ways of getting a bike. If
you don't have a bike, you can rent a bike,
you can borrow someone's bike like I did that first year,
(18:37):
and so you know, don't be overwhelmed.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Okay, Well, Jen and Liam, thank you so much for
all the information. Have a great race this time, it's
not even a race. I'd say, have a great weekend.
Enjoy yourself, and I hope it all goes well. And
what is this your seventeenth eighteenth race at this point, Liam,
so enjoy for me.
Speaker 4 (18:54):
Yes, it's my seventeenth. I think it's over the fortieth further.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
A wow, the forty first part.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
First, well, I hope it all goes swimmingly. And thank
you for all you do for people who are dealing
with MS. And thank you for raising money for the cause.
Speaker 5 (19:08):
Thanks, Nicole, really appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (19:09):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
Have a safe and healthy weekend. Please join me again
next week for another edition of the show. I'm Nicole
Davis from WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio.
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