How I Lost My Fear of Spandex
(and started to raise money to fight M.S.)

I used to be like you. I'd drive by a group of "serious" bicyclists in their colorful jerseys and "too tight" spandex shorts and would think, "I'm really OK with riding in my baggy shorts!"


Passing by Montauk Lighthouse...
only 115 miles left to go!

Sure, I'd go for the occasional Sunday ride, but nothing remotely "serious." That changed early last spring. I volunteered to serve on the committee organizing a charity bike tour to raise funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. I'd been serving on the Board of Trustees for the Long Island Chapter for a number of years and knew this was an important annual fund raising event. I figured I'd just help out organizing it...

Then somebody on the committee said, "You're riding in it, right?" Uhhh... me... riding 150 miles in two days? Hadn't planned on doing that!

Long story short: I trained all summer and completed the 150 miles (actually 160 -- due to some "bonus miles" picked up after a wrong turn somewhere east of Wainscott). Not only did I come to greatly appreciate the value of a good pair of spandex bike shorts (something to do with not chafing), I personally raised a lot of money to provide vitally needed services to people with Multiple Sclerosis and to support research to find a cure for this devastating disease.

Many Urbach Letter readers responded to a last-minute e-mail appeal from me and together, we raised $4,122. My team (The Long G'Island Express, captained by Paul Langer), raised $27,625, the second highest of all teams in the 2008 event.

And I'm doing it again. The 2009 bikeMS Twin Forks Ride is coming up on September 12th and 13th on the east end of Long Island. I've begun to train again but won't wait until the very last minute to ask for support this time!

Raising funds for the MS Society is critically important right now. The economy stinks and donations in general are way down compared to even a year ago. Not only are essential research projects going unfunded, vital services to people with MS have to be cut. For people whose lives are already made difficult by a myriad of disabilities, these are painful cuts to endure.

I've therefore made a commitment to redouble my efforts to raise funding and promote awareness of the National MS Society's mission. Make no mistake: I AM GOING TO BUG YOU FOR A DONATION! The amount doesn't matter. Even though many folks donated $25, $50, or even $100 apiece last year, I recognize that times are tough and will be happy to see incoming donations of any amount. Even five or ten dollars will help.

Therefore, while this message is fresh, please click this link right now: www.RideTeamV.com, and support me as I ride for those who can't. Thank you SO much.