Lorena Gilbert

Lorena Gilbert is a cycling enthusiast who enjoys participating in fundraising events, so when she was invited to join Bike MS: Tour de Farms, she gladly accepted.

Gilbert exemplifies the idea that “chances are, someone you know is living with MS.” Although she has not been personally affected by the disease, she has seen its effects on other people and those that they love.

“My connection with MS is the friends and coworkers who have family members with MS,” said Gilbert. “I have two high school classmates whose mothers were affected by the disease.”

She knows the importance of events like Bike MS to raise money to benefit those affected by the disease and is very pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to those fundraising efforts.

“Through the years, I have seen how the MS Society helps individuals diagnosed with MS,” said Gilbert. “For example, my classmate’s mom had a ramp and a chair lift installed inside her home.”

It’s important to Gilbert that she maintains her health, and she is happy to have the opportunity to help others do the same through her efforts at Bike MS.

“As a nurse, I try to promote a healthy lifestyle, so I participate in fitness focused activities,” said Gilbert.

On Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22, Gilbert will participate in her first ever Bike MS: Tour de Farms along with her team and club, the Major Taylor Cycling Club.

“I joined the club because we have similar interests, which includes riding often and riding long distances,” explained Gilbert.

Although this will be her first Bike MS, she feels up to the challenge and looks forward to the ride.

“I plan to ride 50 miles the first day and 15 miles the second day,” said Gilbert. “In the past I have ridden 55 miles in one day just exploring a new bike trail in Indiana.”

To ensure she meets or even surpasses her goals, Gilbert is training hard leading up to the event.

“I am riding the trails in my neighborhood 25 plus miles each ride with my goal being riding three times a week,” said Gilbert. “My boyfriend rides with me often and encourages me to increase my speed and distance.”

With excellent motivation and a love for distance riding, Gilbert seems ready to do at the ride what she has already done in her fundraising: surpass her goals.

“My personal fundraising goal was the $300 minimum, but I have managed to supersede that,” said Gilbert. “I am still posting to my Facebook page, my high school alumni page, and I’m sending emails to friends, family and coworkers.”

Event weekend, be on the lookout for Gilbert as she takes her maintained 1989 Schwinn 10 speed on the ride of her life.

She says she is looking forward to a “relaxing ride through the farm lands of DeKalb and the joy of raising money for a good cause.”