Tim Bartholomew of Stowe, VT crossed the finish line at Blue Hole Regional Park last Saturday to complete his Ride to End ALZ in the memory of his father Peter Bartholomew, who died last April from the disease. He was one of 630 riders whose teams raised nearly $800,000 for this year’s ride around Wimberley that began and ended at Blue Hole.
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder for which there is no cure. According to the National Institute on Aging, the FDA approved a new drug in 2023 “. . . that can slow Alzheimer’s in its early stages — the first such drug to receive full FDA approval.” Called Lecanemab, the treatment removes a protein from the brain that’s linked to the progression of the disease.
The Ride to End ALZ cycling series is held in multiple locations across the U.S. It raises funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s research and care. It is open to riders of all skill levels, and participants can choose from a variety of distances and formats, including in-person, virtual, and indoor or outdoor routes.
Marshall Cohen, team captain of “Pedal Away Alzheimer’s,” brought 41 riders to the event, many from the Houston area. Their team exceeded their goal of raising $100,000, which brought them into the Number Two position behind HEB, for monies raised.
“What is so special about this event is that almost every rider here has an affiliation to Alzheimer’s,” said Cohen. He pointed to a wall of names and photographs called “Why I Ride” that showed the relatives and friends of riders who suffered from the disease. “One hundred percent of the money we raise goes directly to research, which makes us feel like we are really doing something,” he said.
