THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 4, 1996 TAG: 9604030133
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
SUFFOLK'S JIM DEVERE and Michelle Johnson are avid bike riders. Devere, 53, has been cycling for 17 years, while Johnson, 33, an admitted beginner, picked up the sport last year.
But on May 18, the veteran and the rookie will pedal for something that has become an important part of their lives - the Multiple Sclerosis 150 Bike Tour, which benefits the National MS Society.
They will join seven members of their Allied Colloids cycling team - John Cotton, Karl Enters, David Noble, Julio and Lisa Dimperio, Gail Johnson and Bradley Welch.
It will be Devere's sixth MS 150, while Johnson will make her debut in the 16th two-day tour - a 150-mile round-trip from the Suffolk Airport (Saturday at 7:30 a.m.) to Chowan College in Murfreesboro, N.C., and back. Riders spend Saturday night at Chowan.
``I got involved when my first cousin's wife (Valerie Jordan) got MS. She died and left four kids,'' said Devere, who rode in his first MS 150 with ``This one's for Valerie'' on the back of his shirt. ``Since then I've felt very strongly about MS.''
Johnson also was touched by MS, a chronic, progressive disease of the central nervous system for which there is no known cure. It afflicts more than 1,600 people in the Hampton Roads area. Johnson's mother died of MS 20 years ago and she has two close friends whose wives have the disease.
``It's always been a cause that's dear to me,'' Johnson said. ``I've taken part in other fund-raisers for (MS), but this is the first year I`ve felt I'm ready to go 150 miles.''
The Allied Colloids team rides together once or twice a week and has been training since January.
``You've got to get in shape aerobics- and strength-wise,'' Devere said. ``We've been increasing our miles (since January), and some work out in the gym.''
``We're working our way up to it,'' said Johnson, who plans a 50-mile ride Saturday. ``Going 150 miles is something I'm looking forward to. I'm real excited.''
Last year, more than 500 people, including 20 cyclists from Suffolk, raised more than $150,000 by participating in the ride. Participants pay a $25 registration fee and must collect a minimum of $150 in pledges by May 18. Riders receive a T-shirt and opportunities to win prizes, including new bikes.
Devere, whose Allied Colloids team raised close to $800 last year, said he's hooked on helping fight MS and on the 150-mile course, which is staffed by more than 150 volunteers and features rest stops every 10-12 miles and vehicles that follow and pick up tired riders.
``It's one of the best organized rides I've ever ridden on,'' he said. ``It's well organized and supported. The roads are back-country and quite scenic.
``You start out for the fitness and it's the challenging part. But once you get on it, it's hard not to stay involved. It's like a big family and team effort to support each other and finish. If you're not committed to MS, it doesn't take long before you are. Everybody is united for the support of MS.''
Another Suffolk rider, Mayor S. Chris Jones, agreed.
``It's definitely a cause worthy of our support,'' said Jones, who has ridden in the last five tours with his team, the Gnarley Dogs. The team got its name when Jones' Yorkshire Terrier bit a teammate several years ago.
``Whether you're an avid rider or just want to raise money, the company is what makes it fun,'' Jones said. ``As soon as my registration comes in the mail, I fill it out and send it in, you can count me in.''
Devere and the rest of the Allied Colloids team, which had only three members for last year's tour, hope more local companies will get involved and form teams.
``We'd like to challenge other companies to do what we're doing,'' he said. ``We'd like to get some friendly competition for earning donations.''
Teams consist of four or more riders and will compete during the tour for a variety of awards, including largest team and the Spirit Cup, which is given to the team with the highest dollar average per cyclist.
Michelle Covey, the MS tour program manager, said this year's tour is expected to have 600 riders and raise more than $166,000 to help fight MS. So far, she said, 500 people have signed up. MEMO: For more information on the MS 150 Bike Tour or Multiple Sclerosis, call
the MS 150 Bike Tour hotline at 490-9627. ILLUSTRATION: File photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Last year, more than 500 people, including 20 cyclists from Suffolk,
participated in the Multiple Sclerosis 150 Bike Tour.
by CNB