Ride Ataxia Dallas in Denton, TX

Join Ride Ataxia to contribute to the movement that has traveled over 6,500 miles and raised $1.6 million for research for a disease that has no treatment, no cure, no hope…until now. You’ll also get a well supported ride with great food from Outback Steakhouse!

The ride started in 2007 with a 2,500 mile bike ride from San Diego to Memphis in the name of Friedreich’s ataxia research.  2008 and 2009 also featured long distance treks and in 2010 3 friends and I completed the Race Across America (RAAM). We completed the 3,000 mile route in 8 days 8 hours and 14 minutes, riding as Team FARA (Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance). Since then, I joined FARA full time and we turned the ride into a weekend bike ride program and right now we have 4 locations: Dallas, Northern California, Philadelphia, and Orlando. rideataxia.org.

The motivation for the ride is to Cure Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) – a debilitating, life shortening neuromuscular disease affecting about 6,000 people in the US and 15,000 people worldwide. This disease robs individuals of their ability to walk, see, speak, hear, and move, eventually leading to a premature death caused by a heart condition called Cardiomiopathy. However we know we can get this one.

The Ride Ataxia Program, through FARA has funded 10 research grants for a total of $1.2 million in FA research since the beginning in 2007.  This research specifically focuses on taking ideas from the lab to the patient.  Our scientists now have a very clear understanding of the specific cause of the disease and this allows us to focus on finding effective therapies and bringing them to patients. Read more detail about Ride Ataxia funded projects here: http://rideataxia.org/research.php. Read about FARA’s entire research pipeline here: http://www.curefa.org/pipeline.html

Can we get a TCX or GPX file included for download?  Over 63% of folks say they are more up to attend a ride for which they have information about the routes for their on-bike devices.

Do you have a a map of the start facility showing registration point, parking, all toilets, water/snacks, start line?

Click here to view the  Start/Finish Line Map

It takes 100+ volunteers and 10 months of coordination.  We strive to hit the 10% expense ratio for each of our events and so far we are doing well.

The most rewarding experience is when there is a family affected by FA who has never met anyone else with FA before, it is a nerve racking experience. However they come to the ride and have a blast meeting others with FA and many supporters.  The racked nerves turn into empowerment and they’re hooked on raising funds and being involved in the community.  It doesn’t get any better than that.

In our entire program we had 1500 riders last year for all 4 locations combined. We expect to have 800 riders this year at our Denton event.  Our SAG vehicles serve about 2% of the riders at each ride with flat tires/mechanical issues or a ride back. We will have Bicycles Plus and Richardson Bike Mart for mechanical support, a small army of volunteer SAG drivers, plus police presence at the few busy intersections.

Supporting our mission means raising funds for research. Additionally it means learning about FA and keeping an ear open for anyone who knows about the disease.  The cure for this disease is like a puzzle.  We are confident that it’s on the table in front of us, our role is to put the pieces together.  If there is anyone out there who is interested in FA we want to know about them and add them to our team.

My role is to produce a safe, fun, empowering ride and keep everyone focused on the goal. Cure FA.

Yes. I ride a Catrike 700 with a Mavic rear wheel.  My trike allows me to utilize the strength in my legs without having to worry about balance. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31585490@N05/6673458579

1. The opportunity to be part of the cure of a disease
2. Outback Steakhouse food.
3. The Views at Ray Roberts Lake State Park
4. Homemade banana bread at the rest stops
5. Well marked route and cue sheet
6. Great March 24th weather
7. Getting a jump on the cycling season with one of the first rides of the year.
8. Outback Steakhouse Food
9. The little known but worthy cause
10. Free T-shirt