RIDE TO END ALZ: Carolina cyclists pedal across Palmetto State for good cause

NEWBERRY, SC (WOLO) — Alzheimer’s disease impacts nearly every family in South Carolina in some way.

This month, some Palmetto State residents as well as cyclists from other states and pushing for a cure. 

“Here in South Carolina, we have over 112 thousand people over 65 living with Alzheimer’s,” said Beth Sulkowski with the Alzheimer’s Assocation. “That’s not counting those with early onset Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. We know that this is far-reaching and is hitting lots of families.”

More than 400 cyclists are pedaling across the Palmetto State during the 16th annual Ride to End Alzheimer’s. Their goal is to raise funds for care and support for Alzheimer’s patients as well as money to research a cure.

“We’ve had so much encouraging news over the last few years,” Sulkowski said. “Last week, the FDA approved the newest drug to slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease in the earliest stages. Each step is not the cure but it gets us a little bit closer.”

Last year, the Ride to End Alzheimer’s raised more than 1 million dollars for the first time and this year’s goal is $1.5 million.

“I’ve been doing it for over 10 years. These people are my family,” said participant Ridgley Joyner. “It reminds me of how much these people mean to me. We’re doing this ride for people who mean a lot to use who are unfortunately suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. I just keep coming back year after year for the people and the people we ride for.”

The cyclists ride 257 miles over the course of 3 days: from Simpsonville to Newberry College, from Newberry to Orangeburg and Orangeburg to Mt. Pleasant. For one participant in the ride, the disease hits close to home.

“About eight years ago my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,” said participant Herb Grant. “It became a very personal thing for me to find something I could do. I realized I could ride a bike and raise money.”

Herb has raised more than $75,000 riding his bike. He enjoys the three-day journey through the Palmetto State. He says he treats the event as just a ride and remembers that it is not a race.

“It clears your head. You get your body going and your mind flushes all the poison out. You can think about what you’re riding through which is always beautiful,” Grant said. “

It’s a social thing for me,” Joyner said. “You can ride a bike, have a conversation and get to eat. Those are all the things I love.”

For more information, check out the Alzheimer’s Association page here.