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Keystone branch plans Bike MS event

Members of the Link Computer team for the Bike MS are (from left): Linn Kotermanski, Jim Park, Art Sauerland, Alex Rosmus, Dan Papi and Corey Buckner

The 24th snnual Bike MS: Glimcher Key-stone Country Ride is expected to host at least 400 cyclists from Pennsyl-vania and surrounding states for a two-day event that will take place Saturday and Sunday.

To register, visit

mspakeystone.org or call 696-1017 for a discount code.

Information regarding hotel accommodations and transportation of luggage will be available in the registration package.

Cyclists will check in Saturday morning at the Hollidaysburg Senior High School from 6 to 7 a.m. and then begin a 150-mile trek to raise money to help fund research and support for people affected with multiple sclerosis. This year’s goal is $430,000.

Throughout the ride, safety personnel and support vehicles will be readily available. Bicycle support will be provided by Pedal Power and Spokes N Skis of Blair County, as well as The Bicycle Shop of State College.

Saturday’s route will take cyclists through Roaring Spring, Martinsburg, Williamsburg and Spruce Creek to Centre County.

Lunch will be provided both days and rest stops with snacks, drinks and restrooms will be available every 15 miles along the route, the most notable being the “Cookie Rest Stop” where cyclists can enjoy homemade cookies and fruit.

The first day’s ride will end at the Penn Stater in State College

A dinner for the cyclists, emceed by WTAJ-TV State College bureau reporter Evan Hinkley, will be held Saturday evening at the Penn Stater. The featured speakers are Jennifer Andrews and Diane Kramer.

Andrews was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in October 2016. As a senior learning and development consultant for the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland, Andrews was motivated to join the Pennsylvania Keystone Chapter Bike Ride through her association with Robert Glimcher.

“While it is still early in my diagnosis, the Multiple Sclerosis Society has provided a ton of research and resources for me to be able to understand my disease,” Andrews explained. This is her second year as a participant in the event.

Kramer was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in October 2010 while working as a nurse at Blair Plastic Surgery. The physicians at her place of work formed a team called The Myelin-ators, which has participated in the bike ride for several years.

“The Multiple Sclerosis Society has impacted me on multiple levels from helping to navigate insurance denials to my participation in clinical and research trials,” Kramer said.

Her story has appeared in the Spring 2019 issue of the MS Society publication, Momentum Magazine, and she has been a guest speaker in several training webinars.

On Sunday at 7 a.m., cyclists will gather at the Penn Stater and begin the return journey.

The third rest stop will feature snow cones courtesy of Link Computer.

After the cyclists arrive back at the Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School, a celebration with food, beverages and entertainment will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event was recently renamed the Bike MS: Glimcher Keystone Country Ride to honor Robert Glimcher, a long-time supporter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Glimcher, who is involved with numerous charitable and civic organizations, began riding in 2009 as part of “Lou’s Crew” and has since raised more than $1 million for Bike MS.

Committed to increasing public awareness of multiple sclerosis, he has challenged all team captains and their cyclists to recruit new teams and meet the minimum fundraising pledge of $300.

This year’s sponsors include:

Presenting sponsor — PNC Bank.

Gold sponsor — Janney Montgomery.

In-kind sponsors — Imler’s Poultry, Best Way Pizza, Tastykake, Utz, Roaring Spring Bottling, Pedal Power and Spokes N Skis and The Bicycle Shop, State College.

The national sponsor is Primal Cycling Apparel.

A special thank you goes out to The Horseshoe Amateur Radio Club and the Nittany Amateur Radio Club for providing communications support.

The Pennsylvania Keystone Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society serves Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Indiana and Jefferson counties.

Individuals and groups interested in registering for the bicycle event and individuals wanting more information about the Multiple Sclerosis Society can call the Duncansville Office at 696-1017 or visit BikeMS.org.

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