Bike4Alz returns to Bowling Green
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – For the seventh time, a group of WKU students is trekking across the country, but it’s all for a good cause.
After starting their journey in San Francisco nearly a month and a half ago, the Bike4Alz group has found their way back to Bowling Green – 2,500-plus miles later.
“I’ve been smiling ever since we woke up this morning,” said Jack Blair, a cyclist. “Just getting to see everybody, my family, all my friends.”
“I love it, I love it,” added Tate McClard, a cyclist. “I didn’t realize how much I miss it until I came back. Now I don’t want to leave.”
On May 18, a group of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity brothers began biking across America to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s disease, an illness that is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
“We can inspire hope,” said David Weafer, a cyclist. “I didn’t know we’d be able to do stuff like that.”
WKU President Timothy C. Caboni joined the groups of family and friends to welcome them back to town and celebrate their journey thus far.
“We’re proud of them because they’re Hilltoppers, but more importantly, we’re proud of the work they’re doing to cure Alzheimer’s,” Caboni said.
Bike4Alz, which consists of 12 cyclists and two drivers, stopped in various cities during this coast to coast conquest.
They held fundraising events in several locations, and had several opportunities to meet with people suffering with or directly impacted by Alzheimer’s.
“We’ve learned it not only takes a toll on the people affected by it, but also the family members,” Blair said. “Hearing their stories and what they’ve gone through just pushes us through each and every mile.”
The riders give each day a new and special meaning by dedicating that day’s ride to specific people.
While some of the bikers on the trip have lost loved ones to Alzheimer’s, others haven’t, but they still realize the impact they can have on finding a cure for this debilitating disease.
“It’s 100% rewarding when you see the smiles on people’s faces and what you’re doing for the cause,” said McClard. “It just takes all the pain away.”
“There have been times where today has been dedicated to this person, and what I’m going through right now is hard, but what they’re going through is so much harder,” added Weafer.
The journey has had it’s share of bumps in the road, whether it was lost keys or quarter-sized hail, but despite those hiccups, the members of this group said this has been the experience of a lifetime.
“It’s something I’ll never forget and I know the rest of the riders won’t forget it either,” said Blair.
Bike4Alz held a Tops End Alzheimer’s fundraising event on Wednesday night at Steamers Seafood Kitchen in Bowling Green before preparing to head out for the final third leg of their continental quest.
