Race gives bikers two reasons to ride

TEXAS CITY — John Amato had not been on a bike in 35 years.

But when a boss challenged Amato back in 2002 to compete in the BP MS 150 — a two-day, 180-mile bike ride from Houston to Austin to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society — Amato couldn’t refuse, especially when the boss told Amato he couldn’t finish.

Amato almost didn’t finish that first year. Though he trained for months, up-and-down Seawall Boulevard in Galveston, Amato needed from dawn to sundown to complete the first day. He wasn’t prepared for the hills.

Amato, spurred by the challenge, kept going. When he finally did finish, he saw a sign that read, “Thank you for riding to save my life because I can’t.”

The significance of the bike ride hit Amato at that moment. He has not missed a race since, raising millions of dollars for MS.

Yet Amato also owes those fans a thank you, too. The race has rejuvenated Amato’s life and health.

“It’s pretty amazing when you see those signs,” Amato said. “It just makes you feel so good. I just didn’t know how much it was helping me, too.

Which is why Amato said he keeps going. He’ll participate in the 26th annual BP MS 150 on Saturday and April 18 for the eighth straight year at 62 years old.

A Rebirth

Amato no longer takes all day to finish one leg of the race. Now, he starts at daybreak and rolls into the finish at 2:30 p.m., about four hours faster. He also wears spandex, something he avoided the first year, embarrassed about his weight.

Amato is in the best shape of his life. Amato rides almost 100 miles a week from January to April, in spinning classes and bike groups.

Amato has dropped 60 pounds since he started biking. He used to be a diabetic — not anymore. He takes half the blood pressure medicine now than he did 10 years ago.

“It’s been great for me,” Amato said.

A Troubling Disease

Amato does not know anyone personally affected by MS, though he’s met some through the race and learned a lot about the disease.

“Do you know that every six minutes, someone in America gets diagnosed with MS?” Amato asked with a concerned look.

That National Health Institute estimates about 350,000 people in the United States have multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord. There is no cure.

Amato races and fights to find one. The event includes more than 13,000 participants and thousands more volunteers. The race plans to raise $18 million this year for MS research.

Joining Forces

Amato knows biking benefits his health. He also understands the severity of MS and the importance of raising money.

He not only races for both but advocates the dual cause as well. Amato has recruited at least 12 people in eight years of the race.

Joy Simpson, of Texas City, joined forces with Amato three years ago. She always loved endurance sports but was personally affected by MS. A friend collapsed when the two were hiking in California — the last time the two walked together.

“That was hard,” Simpson said. “And now I found out I can do something about it while staying in shape.”

Priscilla Lon, of Santa Fe, also rides with Amato. She started four years ago as a challenge.

Then, like Amato, she realized the benefit.

“It was unbelievable,” Lon said. “You saw people cheering you and crying, who couldn’t do this themselves.”

The trio, along with seven others, trains for four months together. They said the camaraderie makes it fun and pushes the riders for two good causes — to keep themselves in shape and good health while fighting one of the most troubling diseases.

“It’s one of the best things I do,” Simpson said.

And no one, not even Amato, plans to stop any time soon.

“You keep thinking it might be your last race,” he said. “But then I think about how good it makes me feel health wise and see all those signs, and I just can’t give it up.”