Alumni Tailwinds – February 2024 by Neil McCallum and Kelly Wolf
As we get closer to kicking off the 2024 season, we wanted to celebrate our unsung heros of Bike the US for MS – our Route Leaders. Without your unwavering support over the years, we simply wouldn’t have been able to run 16 years of successful bike rides for MS.
We thought we’d ask you, our alumni, to share stories and insights about the joys of route leading. It is truly a life changing experience and another way for you to show your support for Bike the US for MS and the cause.
Do you have a favorite Route Leader you want to thank, particular memories from the road about your Route Leaders or have stories of your own as a Route Leader you want to share? Add you comments below!
Kaylyn Proctor (formerly Messenger) – 2015 Northern Tier & 2023 Olympic Peninsula
Route Leader – 2016 TransAmerica, 2017 Northern Tier, Pacific Coast & Southern Tier.
Route leading is such a unique experience. I remember riding into Seattle to dip my tires when I finished my Northern Tier ride. I was so overwhelmed with emotion and pride. As a Route Leader, having the opportunity to see your team experience that moment for themselves is so special and rewarding in its own way. Knowing you played a part in helping people complete a life-changing challenge is so rewarding. It kept me coming back!
Dale Johnson – 2010 TransAmerica, 2017 Southern Tier, 2022 Atlantic Coast
Route Leader – 2012 TransAmerica
Here are some positive thoughts I had on being a Route Leader:
- The best part of the Route Leader role is you get to share with others the joy and fun you had on your previous adventure.
- If you like helping and being kind to others, Route Leader is a great role.
- I loved again spending those weeks of living a simple life.
My most positive aspect of the 2012 TransAm ride:
- Here was my biggest accomplishment in 2012. You probably know the story. Like in 2010, we had a few tag-along riders….solo self supported cyclists carrying their own gear. I encouraged them to stop at our stops for water and said it was no problem if they stayed with us at campgrounds and churches.
However, there were a couple of our riders who wanted me to kick them off. They weren’t raising any money was the main issue. They were costing Bike the US for MS nothing. Several were visitors to the US, and to me it was just being friendly and nice. I refused to stop helping the self supported riders.
Our tag-along riders ended up donating and even came back as leaders the following year. One of the riders the folks wanted to kick off in 2012 was James Whateley, now Executive Director of Bike the US for MS and Bike the UK for MS. You talk about a fork in the road from a simple act of kindness. - Don Fraser said that the TranAmerica 2011 was totally disorganized. He wanted me to make sure 2012 was more organized. My wife, Christine, and I put two pages of notes together for each day, in advance. Those 60 days in 2012 were flawless as far as the stops, the accommodations, etc. Of course all that went unnoticed because things ran so smoothly, which was the goal!
Things to be aware of:
- One of the most difficult aspects of route leading is problems that can arise that you could never have anticipated.
- One of the dangers is that returning as a Route Leader will not be the same experience as a rider. This does not mean it’s a bad experience! Simply that the added responsibility of Route Leading will change how you go about the ride.
Ted Yates – 2017 Southern Tier, 2018 Bike the UK for MS, 2019 Northern Tier & Pacific Coast, 2022 Atlantic Coast & Northern Tier
Route Leader – 2023 & 2024 GAP & C&O Trail
When you experience something amazing and extremely worthwhile you want to share it and contribute to it. Riding with Bike the US for MS around America is that experience. After logging over 11,000 miles with BTUSFMS I felt like part of a cycling family and wanted to contribute my time and experience with other riders so I volunteered to become a Route Leader.
That was a great decision. Being a Route Leader gave me a much greater appreciation for the organization and the important duties of the route leaders. I learned so much from the route leaders that had guided me and I enjoyed sharing that knowledge with new riders.
Kelly Wolf – 2017 & 2019 Pacific Coast
Route Leader – 2017 Southern Tier, 2018 TransAmerica & Southern Tier, 2019 Atlantic Coast, Northern Tier & Southern Tier.
I was lucky enough to start route leading the Southern Tier right after completing my first ride. The transition from cyclist to Route Leader was an eye awakening experience. I hadn’t realized all the things the Route Leaders were responsible for; arranging accommodations and service projects, choosing locations for rest stops and calculating daily milage.
I immediately realized how amazing my route leader team had worked together to keep my Pacific Coast ride running smoothly. The first major situation I delt with as a Route Leader was realizing that due to a miscalculation in the mileage, one of our days was 120 miles! We had to scramble to adjust our overnight stops and were grateful we started calculating mileage a week in advance.
Route leading has been an amazing experience to not only assist people through the ups and downs of a cross country ride, but also watch how they grow to become skilled and confident cyclists. It has also given me the confidence that I can deal with any problem thrown at me no matter where I am. I never thought I’d have to help cyclists with things like dehydration, a cracked tooth, broken bones, dog encounters, stollen bikes and then throw in a hurricane, a tornado, and a van accident.
I truly feel like I experienced it all! It is such a wonderful opportunity to be a route leader and get to experience the ride from a whole different perspective.
Larry (Sully) Sullivan – 2016 TransAmerica, 2019 Segments, 2023 GAP & C&O Trail, 2024 Florida Coast & Olympic Peninsula
Route Leader – 2017 & 2018 Pacific Coast and 2018 Southern Tier
Riding my bicycle across the nation was a life altering event for me. I wish I had had the option to do it in my youth! It has been my pleasure to lead the Pacific coast tour 2 years in a row. Being able to ride with the riders and support them during their journeys. Often times one act of kindness by you means the whole trip to a rider. Being their leader, guide, supporter, confidant, and friend makes each and every trip special. The friends you make on the ride will be with you for life!
Neil McCallum – 2015 Northern Tier, 2017 Pacific Coast, 2019 Atlantic Coast
Route Leader – 2022 TransAmerica, 2024 North Lakes Bike Route
As a ride leader, the memories of all of the wonderful people that we interacted with comes to mind. Working with our “Legacy” hosts, those that have been there year after year for us is the most gratifying. Driving into a new town and being greeted like old friends is very memorable.
It is so great to represent an organization and dedicated riders so respected for their efforts to help those living with MS. A special memory is being able to hear the MS stories and then be able to provide funds to ease the burden. A very special time.
Greenbrair Braag – 2018 TransAmerica
Route Leader – 2019 Southern Tier
There is a special satisfaction and challenge in helping a group of cyclists get from one coast to the other. Cycling a big ride for charity is meaningful and impactful, and helping those in need with MS is a great thing. Leading a team of cyclists across the country is ten times as rewarding.
You have to keep them on the route and figure out where the group stays and what service projects the group performs. But you also get to meet and interact with more people as route leaders—the hosts you stay with, the families you help, the communities you visit, and the entire cycling team. You get to experience new places, people, and challenges. It’s fun and exciting, and all for a great cause.
You have to have answers for the cycling team, and you need to be able to help them. All the riders couldn’t make it to the end without you, and knowing that you got them across the country is gratifying and empowering. You will have fun, you will be uncomfortable, and there will always be something you don’t expect. That’s what makes being a Route Leader worth doing.
