2009 Minnesota MS 150 Bike Ride
We just
completed our ride in MN this past weekend. Since our team grew
significantly this year and we didn’t have enough jerseys from our other
orders, I purchased our own jerseys. As you can tell, we went with one of
the previous Cody’s jerseys. This jersey has always received compliments and
is a team favorite. We had 20 riders this year, which rose over $20,000.
They did a great job of fund raising. I recruited hard this year and it
seemed to work. The CEO of the health care system that I work for rode with
us this year, so I expect the team to grow significantly again, next year.
Here is a little trivia for you: Which MS Chapter initiated the MS 150?
Answer: Minnesota. This year was the 30th MS 150 ride in Minnesota. It is
hard to
believe that I have ridden in 11 of those already. I would love to make the
trek back to sunny Florida to ride with everyone down there again….one of
these days???
History of the Minnesota Team
Darin
is a native of Minnesota and was first introduced to Cody's Challenge in
1995. At the time, he was stationed at Mayport, Florida as a US Navy Search
& Rescue Swimmer and Helicopter Air Crewman. Darin quickly caught the
cycling bug and hasn’t stopped since. When he went north to Minnesota in
1998 to complete his college courses at the University of Minnesota, he took
Cody's Challenge along. Married in 1989, Darin and Kristina, work together
to support each others fundraising efforts and training rides. Darin
completed his post-graduate work for physical therapy in 2003, and he has
been working for the Institute for Athletic Medicine since that time.
Through his volunteer time at the MS Achievement Center in St. Paul,
Minnesota, his professional experience as a physical therapist, or his time
riding for Cody’s Challenge, Darin continues to be inspired and amazed by
the individuals who are afflicted with MS. He continues to enjoy hockey (Go
Gophers!) hunting, and almost any sport. Joe Pelley fondly wrote “We miss
him desperately but can't stand the cold up there.” Darin also misses the
good times and great people that he had the opportunity to ride or share a
drink of Gentleman Jack with, but just can’t stand that blazin’ Florida
heat. You can always put more clothes on, but you can never seem to take
enough off. Good luck and good fortune to you all.
Please see our sponsor below. You can visit them by clicking on the picture.
Darin Thom, 9717 226th Ave, NW,
Elk River, MN 55330
Email address: thom1201@tc.umn.edu
