Join Team Vitamin Shoppe - MS Bay to Bay Ride Oct 10&11

Join Our Fun and Casual Team, Team Vitamin Shoppe for the MS Bay to Bay ride Oct 10 and 11, 2009.

http://www.biketofinishms.com/teamvitaminshoppe

The team is starting NOW and will accomodate two levels of riders - "Beach Crusers" for those first time riders and "More Gusto" for those more experienced riders. This will be FUN and REWARDING.

We will have two types of training rides as well to best match skill and interest for those who want to prepare with the team. This is more about being a team for the event - so those who already have a training schedule, just signup for the team, we will get you jerseys and we will ride together for the event - no pressure. You can help us have one of the largest corporate teams in the event!
As an advocate for healthy living, The Vitamin Shoppe, is extremely enthusiastic about its involvement in the campaign to end MS.

Team Vitamin Shoppe began as a simple idea by five Vitamin Shoppe employees. Some were seasoned cyclists, while others barely made it past training wheels. Nonetheless, the were united in the hope that they could help. Now there are more than 30 teams across the country helping stop MS!

This year's team for this Bay to Bay event is shaping up to be one of the largest teams in our history!

PERSONAL STORIES FROM TEAM MEMBERS - WHY WE RIDE (from members of the team):

Melissa Avalos
Hello, my name is Melissa Avalos. My brothers, sister, sister-in-law, and niece are riding this year.

I was diagnosed with MS while in college. I was on track to be a sports therapist, was helping teams at CS Long Beach, and one day my hands were numb. Then little by little different things would happen - could not walk, could not see. This would last for a few days, then back to "normal." I was 18 and had to realize that sports therapy was not going to happen (when you cannot use your hands consistently). I changed my major to sports administration, got my masters degree and went into education. Today, I teach at Sierra Vista Jr. High School.

My amazing dad still gives me shots several times a week (very painful) to control the symptoms. This is my reality, I accept it and am so very happy and very blessed with my family and friends.

For me, having multiple sclerosis means that I may not be able to walk when I wake up. Or that I may suddenly have impaired vision. Or that my memory will fail me for no apparent reason. Living with MS for 12 years has been a family journey through good times and bad. The symptoms of MS are different, and devastating, for everyone - the only certainty is that it will affect yet another person every hour of every day.

Thank you for riding or contributing!

Go Team Vitamin Shoppe!
Melissa Avalos