Ride for Life

Mike Sciacca

A little more than a month ago, Jason Bell began training for a

cause.

Early morning workouts -- some beginning as early as 6 a.m. -- and

late afternoon bike rides, have been the staples of his rigorous

training program, each aspect an important step in helping prepare

the Huntington Beach resident for what could be the ride of his life.

In actuality, it is a ride that will benefit the lives of others.

On the weekend of Oct. 5 and 6, the 36-year-old Bell, an

architect, will pedal along with more than an expected 1,200 cyclists

who will take part in the 20th annual MS 150 Bay to Bay Bike Tour,

presented by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Orange County

Chapter.

For the first time in its 20-year history, the tour will begin in

Surf City, the ride’s starting point being Huntington Beach State

Beach between Brookhurst and Magnolia streets.

Bell will be one of many Surf City riders in the tour. He has been

in training for the event for the past month. The game plan, he said,

was to train in both the gym and on the street. Then, just three

weeks ago, he purchased a bike.

His rigorous training schedule includes taking a spin class three

times per week in the early morning, as well as running as many as 20

miles a week. He trains both on his own and with co-workers and a

roommate, all of whom have helped ready him for the challenge.

But his reasons for entering the tour are all his own. His sister,

Toni Bell, 39, suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, as do a few of his

friends.

“My family always taught me to get involved and give back,” said

Bell, who has previously worked in the Big Brother program. “MS

obviously hits close to home with me. I’m just doing what I can to

help out.”

This is the first multiple sclerosis ride that Bell has taken part

in, although he did do a walk last spring.

He will ride with “Team Slowpokes,” an eight-member team

consisting of five men and three women, each of them first time

riders in the event.

“The name just fit,” laughed Bell, who has raised $500 through

pledges thus far, with a goal of reaching $1,000 overall.

The tour starts in Huntington Beach on Saturday, Oct. 5, and ends

in Mission Bay, San Diego on Sunday, Oct. 6.

The two-day cycling event will take participants from Surf City to

San Diego with an overnight stop and a luau in Carlsbad on Saturday

night.

All money raised will benefit programs, research and services for

people with multiple sclerosis and their families who reside in

Orange and San Diego counties.

The 2001 event raised more than $840,000, event officials said.

Jamie MacDonald, president of the National Multiple Sclerosis

Society’s Orange County Chapter, said that great progress has been

made in recent years in “developing medications and treatments” for

persons with multiple sclerosis.

The Orange County chapter said that multiple sclerosis is the

number one neurological disease of young adults. It is a chronic,

disabling disease that attacks the brain and central nervous system.

Its progress, severity and specific symptoms, which range from

numbness to paralysis and blindness, can’t be predicted.

More than 16,000 Southern Californians are inflicted with this

mysterious disease, and some 40,000 nationwide, MacDonald said.

Bell said that his sister, Toni, has suffered from both temporary

numbness of the right arm and loss of vision, but currently has full

use of her arms and eyes.

“Every dollar we raise in the tour not only helps people with MS

today, but also gets us a littler closer to our ultimate goal -- a

cure for MS,” MacDonald said.

The MS 150 Bay to Bay Bike Tour is a ride for cyclists of all

abilities and riding levels, including novice, such as the Slowpokes.

The tour is endorsed by the Bicycling Touring Group of America and

offers both 100 and 150-mile routes.

With the rest of his riding mates doing the 100-mile route, the

ambitious Bell has opted to take the 150-mile course.

“It’s more of a personal challenge,” he said. “And besides, it’s

for such a good cause.”

Along the way riders will be provided with meals, support and rest

stops every 15 miles.

They also will be presented with commemorative pins and finish

line medals, tour organizers said.

Once cyclists have reached their Mission Bay destination on Oct.

6, they will return to Surf City later that Sunday afternoon in

luxury. Full-service coaches will be awaiting them in San Diego,

offering them a relaxing ride back to Huntington Beach.

Bell said he hopes to build the hopes of those inflicted with the

disease.

“Life isn’t just caring about yourself,” he said. “If you can do

something in some way for others, bring them some hope and

encouragement, then I believe you get the idea of what life should be

about.”

* MIKE SCIACCA covers sports and features. He can be reached at

(714) 965-7171 or by e-mail at michael.sciacca@latimes.com.