Website and Blog for the Sam McMahon Trust

The second Ride Ataxia Philadelphia event takes place today.

With 10, 25 and 50 mile routes through scenic country roads there will be something for every level of fitness. That said the 50 mile route involves 3,000 feet of climbing and is suitable for experienced riders only! Lunch, sponsored by Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill and Carrabbas Italian Grill, will be served between 11.30 and 2.30.

All funds raised will go to the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA).

We hope that everyone has a great day and we wish you well!!

Since Saturday 4 brave men and a road crew of 13 people have been making their way across America in what is regarded as ‘the world’s toughest bike race’. What is more shocking is that two of the riders have FA! They want to raise awareness about Friedreich’s Ataxia and I for one am mesmerised by their challenge. They are almost at the halfway mark and I find myself logging on to their blog morning and evening to get an update. You too can follow their progress by clicking here.

Kyle, Sean, John and Mike we think that you are 2010 hereos!!!

Another date has been added to the ‘Ride Ataxia’ calander for 2010. The Philadelphia event will take place on Sunday October 10th. Further details will be made available in the coming weeks. At the Symposium last November there were hopes that the 2010 Symposium would take place at the same weekend. Nothing has been confirmed yet but fingers crossed. Those of us who travel great distances to attend the Symposium might just get the chance to be part of the great Ride Ataxia event!!

Congratulations to all of those who were involved in the Ride Ataxia Tampa Bay on April 13th. With 75 riders and over $30,000 raised, the event was a great success. Kyle Bryant, the man behind Ride Ataxia was there to participate and inspire. Thanks Kyle! Check out Marc Dahl’s short film of the event here.

We wish we could be part of the Ride Ataxia events that are taking place across America this year, particularly the ‘Race Across America’ event. The Ride Ataxia Tampa Bay takes place on April 13th and the North California Ride will happen on May 15th and 16th.  With all of the miles between us all that we can do is to keep you up to date on the news and  encourage you to follow the team’s progress here. Of course you can always donate online on the Ride Ataxia site….

For more information about the ‘Race Across America’ and the four members of the FARA team click here.

The Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) is fielding a team of four cyclists in the “world’s toughest bicycle race”. The annual transcontinental bicycle Race Across America (RAAM) begins on June 12 2010 in Oceanside, California and finishes in Annapolis, Maryland approximately 9 days later. This race from the west to east coast of the USA is not a stage race but rather a time trial. Athletes from around the world participate in this feat of endurance. Over 215 RAAM competitors will travel more than 3,000 miles with 100,000 vertical feet of climbing at an average minimum speed of 14 mph.

October 25th saw the first Ride Ataxia event in Philadelphia. With 350 riders over $100,000 was raised for research. Founded by the inspirational Kyle Bryant (who suffers from Friedreich’s Ataxia), the Ride Ataxia team has been raising awareness and much needed money for research since 2007.

This event raised approximately $55,000 online and the Northeast Philadelphia area Outback restaurants raised $41,000. The $100,000 mark was surpassed with the generous support of sponsors such as Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Hank’s Beverages, Allied Beverage, G&R Mechanical, F&F Mechanical, Faraco Knife and Slicer Co., Santhera Pharmaceuticals, Miller Coors, Heineken, and Dr. Holly Hedrick.

The day started at 7.30a.m with registration where everybody was able to gather and meet before the ride started. The 50 mile riders started at about 8.45a.m and encountered a tough course. The first riders came in at about 11a.m. While the riders were out on the course there were plenty of activities back at the park. The kids enjoyed a bike loop around the park, crafts, face painting, and hay rides by horse drawn buggy.

It’s clear that the ride had a little something for everyone. The course was challenging even for the experienced riders but there were shorter options which helped get everyone involved.

In the end this ride had huge participation from many people who had never heard of FA before and a huge amount of money was raised. Awareness and fundraising are the key ingredients to finding a cure for this rare disease. Well done to all who took part. We wish we could have been part of the event.

The first Ride Ataxia event on the East Coast of the USA takes place in Philadelphia on October 25th 2009. Activities include 10, 25 and 50 mile routes on scenic country roads.

Founded by Kyle Bryant, who suffers from Friedreich’s Ataxia, the Ride Ataxia team has travelled 3300 miles over the past three years. They have raised awareness about Friedreich’s Ataxia and $700,000 in research funds.

Supported by Outback Steakhouse, the event will benefit the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Friedreich’s Ataxia Programme. Both are non-profit organisations dedicated to research and working to find a cure for FA.

For those who can’t sign up to take part in the event donations can be made online.