Yorktown, Cortlandt Manor Residents to Ride 270 Miles for ALS Cure and Awareness

For people living with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – the disease that results in loss of muscle control, speech loss and paralysis – riding a bike is impossible. 

But hundreds of bikers will go on a three-day ride this week and ride 270 miles for those who can't. They are raising money and awareness to find an effective treatment for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Among the 250 men and women from all over the country are the "The Vicious Cyclists" – a team of four Yorktown residents and a Cortlandt Manor man, who will participate in the ALS Therapy Development Institute's 10th annual Tri-State Trek.

Sabrina Bluestone first joined with a group of friends three years ago because a friend's mother had been diagnozed with the disease. 

"After I completed the ride the first year, the event changed my life," Bluestone told Patch. "The feeling of giving yourself in a physically challenging way to bring awareness to a very important cause was tremendously rewarding. Emotionally I was touched by everyone's personal story and struggle."

This year Sabrina Bluestone is riding with her son, Max Bluestone, and his friends Tim George, David Hamann and Paul Dorsa, all 18 years old. 

"Our team is a proud combination of young men and a woman who thinks she is still young," the group wrote on their fundraising page. "Please support out efforts."

Max Bluestone and Tim George rode in the charity event last year and couldn't wait to join again. 

"I am going for round two with the Trek because it is such an awesome event that brings people together for a very meaningful and serious cause," George said. "I cannot think of a better thing to do during my summer."

Max Bluestone said he was inspired to find a cure for the debilitating disease by the people he met on the "beautiful ride for an amazing cause."

"I hope that some day my contribution will lead to the discovery of a cure that saves the lives of so many good people with ALS," he said. 

The event is expected to raise more than $500,000 for ALS research. The ride begins in Boston on July 20 and ends in Greenwich, Conn. on July 22. Supporters are expected to cheer the riders along the way through the most scenic and challenging terrain in the Northeast.

Bluestone said she encouraged her son and friends to join the ride because of the "amazing feeling of struggle" and doing something good for others. She hopes to set an example for the next generation.

"Riding with the boys is a treat and they help," Bluestone said. "They are funny and we all ride at the same pace to it's nice we stay together."

Hamann said he loves endurance sports, especially biking and running, so he thought this would be a great chance to do something he loves while supporting a great cause.

While he doesn't know anyone who has ALS, that didn't matter to him.

"It doesn't matter whether it's ALS syndrome or any other disease, it's an inequality that we can all relate too," he said. "We shouldn't limit our sympathies to only diseases that we personally have had to deal with."

The Tri-State Trek is an annual event created and produced by the ALS Therapy Development Institute. In the past 10 years, riders and volunteers have raised more than $2.5 million. Built by and for patients, ALS TDI is a research center and non-profit biotechnology institute with more than 30 professional scientists focused on a single disease indication. The mission of ALS TDI is to develop effective therapeutics that stop ALS as soon as possible for patients.

"This bike ride is about bringing attention to ALS and the desperate need for effective treatments for patients today," said Steve Perrin, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer at ALS TDI and Tri-State Trek participant.

The Tri-State Trek ride began in 2003, when 16 riders cycled from Newton, MA, to White Plains and raised about $30,000 for ALS research. 

Bluestone's team has already raised 1,350 of their $7,950 goal this year. To support “The Vicious Cyclists," click here.

For more information on riding, volunteering, or just coming out to cheer, call 617-441-7200 or visit the Trek online at www.TriStateTrek.com.

Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.

Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our newsletter