MS Ride Wrap Up

On September 21st & 22nd, for the sixth year running, Team Topel & DiStasi Wealth Management completed the two-day charity ride Waves to Wine 2019 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 over $6,000 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 our custom MS Ride Topel & DiStasi Wealth Management team jerseys; 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 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. Once again, 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. Christina has been a part of our crew now for three years, and it’s hard to imagine how we ever got back out there for the second day, in the years before she became a staple of our post ride recovery efforts.

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, to grind out the final 42 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. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the great people at the MS Society who come out each year and work so hard to put on such a great event. Their tireless effort and positive energy are truly infectious.

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!

 

Topel & DiStasi Wealth Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Topel & DiStasi Wealth Management, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advice may be rendered by Topel & DiStasi Wealth Management, LLC unless a client service agreement is in place.