Meet Eli Sykes, an athlete with multiple sclerosis from Wenatchee, WA and a Choose Your Own Adventure rider for Bike the US for MS. This year, he’s already raised over $2000 and is tearing it up in multiple races while repping our signature jersey!
Eli doesn’t let MS stop him — he leans into the challenge and learns from living with it.
Why Eli Rides for Bike the US for MS
It’s been a longtime dream of Eli’s to bike across the country after hearing stories from people who have ridden across the US. He loves listening to a close friend who reminisces about the kindness of strangers and memories of incredible scenery.
Eli remembers a transformative documentary that set his adventure in motion: “Truly, it was when I watched a series on PBS called Shadow of a Wheel that I realized how transformative a journey can be supporting people with MS. I wanted to support an organization out there that supported this fantastic journey. That’s how I landed on supporting this cause.”
Mechanical Failure and a Life-Changing Phone Call
Last May, Eli knew there was something wrong: “my body had a mechanical failure…I woke up with clouded vision in my right eye.”
After what felt like a million tests, a doctor called Eli and diagnosed him with Multiple Sclerosis. Eli was on a bike ride with his friend Bart in Winthrop, WA. The realization shocked him and he got off his bike to listen to his doctor.
What happened next changed how thinks about life: “Bart, knowing we had many miles to go, yelled out to me, ‘we have to keep going’. He was right, I needed to keep going. I need to keep fighting. I got off the phone and kept riding. And from that day, I’ve adopted what he yelled at me as a motto: do the right thing, do the next thing and keep going.”
“New Eyes”: advice for those recently diagnosed with MS
Eli explains, “Your signs and symptoms mostly don’t make sense at first, and you are allowed to have questions.
Find yourself a journal to write down anything new that you have started to notice, but don’t get lost in them. You should bring up new things to your doctor and send a message. I felt peace even in the uncertainty of knowing what was happening to me and you can too.
You’d be amazed at the support of my wife and friends. I’ve received so much when I have opened up about my journey. I can’t control the MS, but I want to end it for others. I’m now fighting my MS and you join the fight by helping out organizations like this one.
If MS has given me anything it has given me new eyes and I see things differently now and I want to help.”
Who inspires Eli?
Eli is following in the footsteps of his grandfather Jack Rogers and his uncle Lee, who used to do long bike trips. His grandfather encouraged him to ride without training wheels and taught him the value of always wearing a helmet – something that we at Bike the US for MS can absolutely agree with!
His uncle passed away from Parkinson’s disease and Eli remembers that “watching him degrade from the neurological disease was hard for all of us. He was so funny and athletic.”
Eli credits his father as well: “My dad gave me the boldness and knowledge to not be afraid to fix anything, an essential skill when on a bicycle journey.”
After years of hand-me-downs, Eli purchased his first brand-new bike in 2020 and started bikepacking.
Eli’s Bucket-List Rides
Eli shares that he would love to participate in a Tour Divide, a self-supported race from Banff, Alberta to Southern New Mexico: “The challenge and scenery are a definite draw to me.”
Eli also wants to explore his home state and ride across the country from West to East. We think he’s more than capable! Comment below if you’d also like us to introduce a West to East ride…
Eli’s positive attitude, grit, and commitment to himself and others inspires us immensely. We’re so glad to have Eli wearing our jersey this year and raising money for people with multiple sclerosis.
Support Eli and people living with MS by donating to his fundraising page. Follow Eli on Instagram to keep up with his adventures.
