logo
  • Explore
    • Local Events
    • Local News
    • Local Organisations
  • News
    • Community
    • Local Government
    • Sports
    • Alberta Politics
    • Opinion
    • Deke
  • Peaks & Valleys
    • Wildlife
    • Hiking and Climbing
    • Biking
    • Fishing
    • Snow Sports
  • Culture
    • Jasper Arts & Culture
    • Local Dining
    • Local Literature
  • Jasper History
  • Support
    • Explore
      • Local Events
      • Local News
      • Local Organisations
    • News
      • Community
      • Local Government
      • Sports
      • Alberta Politics
      • Opinion
      • Deke
    • Peaks & Valleys
      • Wildlife
      • Hiking and Climbing
      • Biking
      • Fishing
      • Snow Sports
    • Culture
      • Jasper Arts & Culture
      • Local Dining
      • Local Literature
    • Jasper History
    • Support
Error with device mobile widget id reference_widget-4
Error with device mobile widget id reference_widget-4
Compassion and research driving cyclists in MS Bike Ride
The Hinton MS Bike Ride takes place September 2 and 3. // Supplied
Biking, Community, News
By Bob Covey
Friday, September 1, 2023
Compassion and research driving cyclists in MS Bike Ride

Ahead of the September Long weekend, in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, a group of dedicated volunteers are clearing trails, building bridges and erecting signage.

The big push is in advance of another big push—a unique event with an important mission.

The Hinton MS Bike Ride has 98 participants this year. Team donations which go to the MS Society are accepted until September 30. // Supplied

The Hinton MS Bike Ride is a two-day, 90-kilometre mountain bike ride. As an entirely off-road, off-grid event, it’s the only MS Ride of its kind, according to this year’s trail coordinator, Jasper’s Greg Van Tighem.

“It’s a mixed bag of terrain covering old Grand Truck Pacific rail beds, cut lines, single track, gnarly downhills and logging roads,” said Van Tighem, who was Canada’s top MS fundraiser in 2013 when he raised more than $96,000 for the charity. In total, Van Tighem has raised more than $400,000 for the organization.

Greg Van Tighem is a fixture at the MS Bike Ride in Hinton. This year he is the race trail coordinator. // Supplied

“The Hinton event is a really important event for our area,” he said. “It helps support MS services and people living with MS.”

MS, or multiple sclerosis, is a disease that impacts the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Damage that MS does to the central nervous system disrupts signals to and from the brain. This can cause unpredictable symptoms such as numbness, tingling, mood changes, memory problems, pain, fatigue, blindness and/or paralysis. There is no cure for MS.

Nicole Sullivan, director of community fundraising for MS Canada, said MS is the most common neurological disease among young adults in Canada. More than 90,000 (or one in 400) Canadians live with MS.

“It’s unpredictable, episodic and progressive,” Sullivan said. “It makes navigating life difficult, not only for those with MS but for friends, families and communities of those living with the disease.”

The Hinton MS Bike Ride takes place over two days and 91 kilometres in the foothills outside of Hinton. // Supplied

Michael MacFynn is a loved one of an individual living with MS. His wife, Bonnie, was diagnosed in 2015. He said the diagnosis, when their kids were six and three-years-old, was a crushing blow.

“It changed everything,” MacFynn said.

Bonnie immediately went on leave from her job, a move which had a big impact on the family budget. More critically, they were in new territory in terms of what supports they would need. Bonnie was experiencing debilitating pain cycles. Often she wasn’t able to participate in family events, activities and milestones.

“That’s hard for kids—to watch their mom in the fetal position, rocking back and forth,” Michael said.

The MacFynn family had their lives changed forever after Bonnie (at right) was diagnosed with MS. The community they found at the Hinton MS Bike Ride has been healing, they said. // Supplied

No matter what MS threw at them, the MacFynns were resolved to put an honest face on the disease. Michael said from day one, they wanted to let people know what it’s like to live with MS.

“We talk about what it means to have support, what donations to the MS Society mean for us and what it means to have community,” he said. 

In other words, they practice gratitude. One thing that’s made their resolution easier has been the Hinton MS Bike Ride. Not long after Bonnie’s diagnosis, Michael joined the SG Front Forks—a Spruce Grove-based team that operates under a big tent. For years, SG Front Forks was the biggest team, and raised the most money, for the Hinton MS Ride. Michael was honoured to ride with them, through whatever conditions the rugged course and Mother Nature through at the riders.

“That’s a big part of why we do this ride,” he said. “It’s something which reminds us how challenging one day can be for a person living with MS.”

In 2022, as they always do, team SG Front Forks savoured their favourite view of the Rockies along the route of the Hinton MS Ride. // Supplied

So far this year’s MS Ride in Hinton has 98 cyclists signed up and more than $150,000 has been raised. In addition to the regular mountain biking course, Van Tighem said there are several more intense route options—essentially, stiff climbs and technical descents—for experienced mountain bike riders wanting a tougher test.

The ride’s most important goal, of course, is to raise funds for the MS Society. Alberta’s researchers—who lead studies at the UofC and the UofA, primarily—are world renown, according to Sullivan. Although in the 75 years since MS research began a cure for the disease has not been discovered, Sullivan said it’s critical to keep up the fight.

“These funds improve quality of life for people with MS,” she said.

That’s a goal that every rider can pedal towards.


To register for the Hinton MS Bike Ride, donate (fundraising is open until September 30) or find more information on the MS Society and the ride, go to msbike.ca and click on Locations-Hinton. 

 

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Articles You May LIke ›
Hail to the Chief
Community
Hail to the Chief
andrea 
Friday, December 18, 2020
Jasper’s Director of Protective Services, Greg Van Tighem, has notified the Municipality of Jasper of his impending retirement. The Jasper Local caugh...
this is a test
Most Read ›
Fully funded bridge proposal rebuffed by Jasper’s superintendent
News
Fully funded bridge proposal rebuffed by Jasper’s superintendent
Bob Covey 
Friday, May 5, 2023
Jasper National Park Superintendent Alan Fehr has declined a private offer to rebuild a washed-out bridge at Simon Creek, a structure which would allo...
this is a test
NDP’s Kreiner withdraws from all-candidates forum
Local Government
NDP’s Kreiner withdraws from all-candidates forum
Bob Covey 
Monday, May 15, 2023
West Yellowhead’s NDP candidate Fred Kreiner has elected not to participate in Jasper’s scheduled all-candidates forum. “I’ve decided and the NDP part...
this is a test
Helicopter sustains “incredible” damage after accident on Columbia Icefields
Community
Helicopter sustains “incredible” damage after accident on Columbia Icefields
Bob Covey 
Monday, April 24, 2023
A helicopter transporting Natural Resources Canada glacier surveyors had a hard landing on an icefield in Banff National Park April 14. The accident l...
this is a test
Letter: Keep up the public pressure to make Jasper’s backcountry safe
Opinion
Letter: Keep up the public pressure to make Jasper’s backcountry safe
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Re: Fully funded bridge proposal rebuffed by Jasper's superintendent (May 5, 2023) Dear Editor, This is an excellent article in The Jasper Local. I am...
this is a test
Latest ›
A Glimpse of the trans experience: Art exhibit celebrates gender euphoria
Arts & Culture
A Glimpse of the trans experience: Art exhibit celebrates gender euphoria
Jack Mastrianni 
Thursday, September 7, 2023
A combined still-life/portrait series celebrating queer identity is catching the eyes of Coco’s Café clientele. Local art enthusiasts and coffee addic...
this is a test
Corral Creek wildfire under control, not expected to grow
News
Corral Creek wildfire under control, not expected to grow
Bob Covey 
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
A wildfire which ignited in the east portion of Jasper National Park after a lightning storm is under control. On Friday, September 1, Parks Canada fi...
this is a test
HEADLINERS: Jasper Folk Music Festival artist profiles
Arts & Culture
HEADLINERS: Jasper Folk Music Festival artist profiles
Jack Mastrianni 
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
The 2023 Jasper Folk Music Festival kicks off September 8. The Jasper Local puts the spotlight on four bands which have the two-day festival's top bil...
this is a test
Fruit tree bears trapped, relocated
Community
Fruit tree bears trapped, relocated
Black bears attracted to ornamental trees are an increasing concern
Bob Covey 
Friday, September 1, 2023
A mother black bear and her cub have been captured and removed from the Jasper townsite by wildlife officials. It’s a second-to-last-ditch effort to g...
this is a test

NEXT ARTICLE

Visitor fined for enticing grizzly bears

Community, News, Wildlife

Most Read ›
Fully funded bridge proposal rebuffed by Jasper’s superintendent
News
Fully funded bridge proposal rebuffed by Jasper’s superintendent
Bob Covey 
Friday, May 5, 2023
Jasper National Park Superintendent Alan Fehr has declined a private offer to rebuild a washed-out bridge at Simon Creek, a structure which would allo...
this is a test
NDP’s Kreiner withdraws from all-candidates forum
Local Government
NDP’s Kreiner withdraws from all-candidates forum
Bob Covey 
Monday, May 15, 2023
West Yellowhead’s NDP candidate Fred Kreiner has elected not to participate in Jasper’s scheduled all-candidates forum. “I’ve decided and the NDP part...
this is a test
Helicopter sustains “incredible” damage after accident on Columbia Icefields
Community
Helicopter sustains “incredible” damage after accident on Columbia Icefields
Bob Covey 
Monday, April 24, 2023
A helicopter transporting Natural Resources Canada glacier surveyors had a hard landing on an icefield in Banff National Park April 14. The accident l...
this is a test
Letter: Keep up the public pressure to make Jasper’s backcountry safe
Opinion
Letter: Keep up the public pressure to make Jasper’s backcountry safe
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Re: Fully funded bridge proposal rebuffed by Jasper's superintendent (May 5, 2023) Dear Editor, This is an excellent article in The Jasper Local. I am...
this is a test
Latest ›
A cosmic career: Jasper Rotary Club to host astronaut Marc Garneau
Community
A cosmic career: Jasper Rotary Club to host astronaut Marc Garneau
Bob Covey 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
The Honourable Marc Garneau is coming to Jasper for the upcoming Dark Sky Festival. Despite Garneau’s career in exploration, the 74-year-old has never...
this is a test
Former Jasperite brewing beer with all of the passion, none of the gluten
Business
Former Jasperite brewing beer with all of the passion, none of the gluten
Naito Beer debuts in Alberta
Bob Covey 
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
No one could accuse Ray Naito of doing things the easy way. To get his gluten-free craft beer concept from a back-of-the-napkin idea, to where it is n...
this is a test
Injured black bear euthanized
Community
Injured black bear euthanized
Bob Covey 
Friday, September 22, 2023
Parks Canada wildlife specialists euthanized a black bear cub after it was seriously injured in what appears to be a railway incident. For the last fo...
this is a test
New Métis government formed; Kaila Mitchell elected Jasper House citizen representative
Alberta Politics
New Métis government formed; Kaila Mitchell elected Jasper House citizen representative
Bob Covey 
Thursday, September 21, 2023
A new Otipemisiwak Metis Government has been formed and Kaila Mitchell is the newly elected representative for the Jasper House Métis District. “This ...
this is a test

© Copyright The Jasper Local

This site complies with Jasper requirements
Contact us
Privacy Policy
Advertise With Us
About The Jasper Local
Accessibility Policy
Support
This site complies with Jasper requirements
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • About The Jasper Local
  • Accessibility Policy

Follow Us

Advertise with us

Measurable, targeted, local. Email example@thejasperlocal.com

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store

© Copyright The Jasper Local