MS Ride 2018 Wrap Up
On September 22nd & 23rd, for the fifth year running, Team Topel & DiStasi Wealth Management completed the two-day charity ride Waves to Wine 2018 in support of the National MS Society, and we just wanted to pass on a few thoughts and impressions of a great weekend on bikes and in the company of so many nice people all rallying for such a worthy cause.
The team did a fantastic job both in their fundraising efforts before the event (we once again raised almost $10,000 as a team), and out on the routes each day. It’s always so much fun to ride as part of our own small peloton, sporting the custom MS Ride Topel & DiStasi Wealth Management team jerseys we had made; snaking our way through some of the most beautiful scenery California has to offer, over the Golden Gate Bridge, up Highway 1 and through the vineyards of Sonoma wine country.
Arriving at the relocated team village celebration after 86 miles the first day, Jarrett had our team tent all set up as usual, and we were ready to celebrate. With the help of his wife Janine and her considerable catering skills, the spread waiting for us was tremendous, as always, and we spent the rest of the afternoon and evening enjoying good food and drink, and getting to know our fellow riders who were there to support the cause. Certainly, one of the highlights was the talented (and incredibly strong!) masseuse we hired to help alleviate the fatigue and muscle soreness incurred over the long ride. We had met Christina at last year’s event when we were lucky enough to be awarded two hours of her services as a reward for our fundraising efforts, and she was so good that we had to track her down and bring her back again this year.
Getting back on the bike at 7am for Day 2 is always a bit rough, but once we stretched out the weary muscles and had a little food and coffee, we were back in the saddle, joined by one more team member, to grind out the final 43 miles. Even though the ride on Day 2 is shorter, with less climbing, somehow it always feels a bit harder to get through; but we did get through it, and by the end of Sunday afternoon, we were all feeling really good about our two days on the bike.
One of the things about this event that never fails to energize me and makes me forget all of the little aches and pains I might be feeling on the bike, is seeing those riders who are suffering with MS, pounding out the miles right along with us. It’s truly inspiring to see folks giving such a great effort out there all weekend, and really puts into perspective so many of the things we take for granted each day.
The fight to end MS is a cause that’s personal to us here at TDWM, but there are so many worthy causes out there, it can be hard to know where to begin. The take away for me though is that, particularly in these crazy times, just coming together with like-minded people to do something positive for your community and those less-fortunate, is so incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, that you just have to start somewhere, and do what you can.
With that in mind, we want to sincerely thank all of the riders, family members, corporate partners and especially the donors, for helping us support the National MS Society and do what we can to aid in this worthy cause.
See you next year!