Getting ready to train, but what brought me here?

Forty two years later. It’s 7:45 am (Sunday 7/27/2008) in Cibolo, Texas, and I’m sitting on a bicycle for the first time in more years than a number of my friends have been alive! Adding to my amazement is that I’ve lined up with several friends to ride THIRTY miles. OMG! I was reassured that the selected route was relatively flat and so would help me “become one with my new bike!”

Pauline appeared close by, as a beautiful deep orange sun breached the horizon through a mix of low clouds and rising mist. It was inspiring! But that didn’t stop the pounding in my chest and the ever-present question on my mind: “Tony what have you gotten yourself into?” (more on the training ride later).

What craziness brought me to this point? As many know me, I’ll do anything to raise money to find a cure for multiple sclerosis (and until now find a cure for my dear sister Pauline), and hopefully by my antics inspire others to fundraise for the National MS Society Lone Star Chapter. Well, last Thursday (7/24), an individual suggested he would match any fundraising I secured, up to $50,000, but that I had to ride and finish the Bike MS: Valero Bike to the Beach (Oct. 4-5, 2008). Naturally, if you know me, given my blind passion I’m not about to leave that amount of money on the table; I looked over at my future donor, and square in the eyes I confidently said: “Done, I’ll happily take your money.” I’ll show him, right? After a handshake to seal the deal, I then realized I had just 10 weeks to get ready to ride the 160 miles of this 2-day event!

Since then I’ve had lots or hearty slaps on the back with accompanying, “well done Tony” from my well-meaning bicycle friends. And then lots of advice on how to accomplish the necessary level of training to fulfill the challenge, and then lots of invitations to come out and train with many groups and individuals.

Guys, small technical problem, I don’t own a bicycle! Another reality check after agreeing to my donor’s demands.

I’ve made some very good friends in the past 6 years working at the Lone Star Chapter, and one of them stepped up with no coaxing on my part to donate to my cause a 2008 Cannondale Synapse. Thank you Stephanie and Brian at The Bicycle Shack, Boerne.

Now I’m ready to suck it up and pedal down to train for the Bike to the Beach, and achieve my dream of riding with my brother and our nephew (Pauline’s youngest son, both flying in from Australia) to honor my sister’s memory, under my team: Pauline’s Last Hurrah. Anyone can help me fundraise.

My fundraising goal is $50,000, in order to maximize the matching pledge of $50,000 by my donor, which will realize $100,000 once I cross the Finish Line in Corpus Christi!

Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.