One is a HRFE volunteer and the other is a emergency dispatcher, but both are dedicated cyclists ready to take on the MS Bike Ride
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He is a volunteer firefighter and interested in policing, and Samuel Gong is ready to tackle the MS Bike Ride. He tells us a little more about the ride and why it’s important to him
(Samuel on the right)
* Hello. Tell us who you are and what you do
Hey!
My name is Samuel Gong, and I am a amateur cyclist who is taking part in this years MS Bike Ride in Windsor Nova Scotia!
* So, what’s with the bike? What are you about to do?
On August 10th and 11th, myself and around 80 other cyclists will leave West Hants Sportsplex at 10am for a 75km cycle in support of finding a cure for MS! This year will be the events 35th anniversary and my first time riding in this event. Canadians have one of the highest rates of MS in the world and, on average, 12 Canadians are diagnosed with this unpredictable disease every day. We don’t know what causes MS, and we don’t have a cure, so fundraising for this fantastic cause is a honor!
* That’s amazing! So is this your first big ride and what got you interested in doing this? (and your inspiration)
This will be my second big ride this year! I also took on the Locomotion challenge earlier this year, which was a 630km endurance race around Nova Scotia. This will certainly feel like a sprint compared to that! I got into cycling in January of this year and have grown to love the sport and my best friend is part of the organizing committee for the ride. I have had many friends in my life that have MS, and I have seen the barriers it puts over their lives. I feel that taking part in this ride is one way to positively spread information and awareness about this disease.
* Tell us about what this trek will entail
The ride kicks off around 10am from the West Hants Sportsplex. The ride starts in Windsor, then to Hantsport, Grand Pre, Wolfville, then all the way back to Windsor. It is a total of 828 meters of elevation over 75KM of Kings County beauty. You can see the route here- https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45141554
I am riding with my team captain Andrew Dennie. We are riding under the team name “Wheel Deal” and will hopefully stick together the entire ride!
* Anything else you’d like to say about this important ride?
If you can, please consider donating to the cause or share this article. Raising awareness and funds is the number one goal for this event, and we would love to see you this weekend or at next years MS bike ride! You can check out more at the official MS Bike website here. https://msspbike.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=996
* We wish you the best and good luck! We hope to do a follow up after this is complete!
Thank you so much for the support and this opportunity!
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Andrew is with emergency dispatch and eager to ride on in support of the MS Bike Ride. Here’s why
(Andrew on the left)
* Hello. Tell us who you are and what you do
Andrew Dennie – MS Bike Windsor Committee Member
* So, what’s with the bike? What are you about to do?
On August 10 and 11th, 75+ riders are gathering in Windsor Nova Scotia for this two day event to ride between 25 and 75km all while raising funds to support MS Research. MS Bike Windsor is celebrating its 35th anniversary in Atlantic Canada.
Riders can participate in either day or both if they choose.
* That’s amazing! So is this your first big ride and what got you interested in doing this? (and your inspiration)
I have been cycling for 10+ years and usually participate in a couple rides in the 100km+ distance a year. This will be the 5th year I am riding in the MS Bike. I initially began participating in MS Walk, but in 2020 when events were cancelled or went virtual, I started participating in MS Bike.
In 2016 my wife was diagnosed with MS and I was looking for an opportunity to raise funds to support vital research while doing something I loved, and thus my commitment to MS Bike was born.
* Tell us about what this trek will entail
I am choosing to complete the 76 kilometer ride. The route begins in Windsor, NS, travels along the old number 1 highway toward Grand Pre, through Wolfville before looping back to Windsor. Through this ride we will be able to raise funds and awareness for this important cause.
I will be riding with Sam Gong, a colleague that I roped into cycling this year and also convinced him to join me for this ride/event.
* Anything else you’d like to say about this important ride?
MS is a neurological disease that over 90,000 Canadians live with. The highest prevalence rate of MS happens to be here in Nova Scotia. On average 12 Canadians are diagnosed with MS every day. That means every two hours, someone in Canada is diagnosed with MS. Canada is home to some of the world’s leading MS researchers and research is key to finding new treatments and pathways to cures. An advancement in MS research helps all people living with MS – in Canada and beyond.
* We wish you the best and good luck!
We hope to do a follow up after this is complete
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