Guest column: South metro team shines in MS ride

There are a great number of diseases that profoundly affect the quality of life. One of them is multiple sclerosis, an affliction that attacks the central nervous system. MS can be severely debilitating, even fatal. The MS Society estimates that there are 350,000 people in the U.S. with multiple sclerosis diagnosed by a physician. The actual number is likely much higher.

Various fundraising events provide most of the money needed to find a cure. Among them are 100 bicycle rides annually involving upward of 100,000 riders. Cyclists of all ages raise an astounding $80 million each year for MS research by asking friends, relatives and others to donate in the cyclists' names.

A newly formed bicycling team from the south metro area recently completed one of these rides: the "Bike MS: Star Tribune TRAM" (TRAM = The Ride Across Minnesota), an arduous 300-mile, five-day trek over hilly country roads in southeastern Minnesota. Not only did the team raise money for a cure, it was awarded first-place for best team jersey.

It all began four years ago, and the story is best told by the people who deserve the credit: Kerry Hoeschen of Prior Lake and Jay Bickford of Savage. Here's a Q and A with Kerry and Jay:

Q Kerry, what was the genesis of the south metro team?

Kerry I rode my first MS TRAM four years ago, and thought then of starting a team named "TRAMALOT." My inspiration for the name was the outrageously hilarious 1974 film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," which later inspired the Broadway musical comedy "Spamalot."

Q What motivated you to move ahead with the team?

K It was "who" rather than "what." Jay joined me on the 2010 MS TRAM ride. We talked, and he gave me the encouragement and help I needed. Both of us knew people with MS, and we wanted to be part of the effort to find a cure.

Q Dozens of team jerseys were entered in the best-jersey competition and the judges picked TRAMALOT's as hands-down the best. What's the scoop on this?

K The Monty Python film was our inspiration for the jersey, too. With chain mail as part of its design, the jersey reflects the medieval theme of King Arthur and his knights of the round table. And it contains eccentric quotes from the film -- for example, "What is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?" The most important message on the jersey is "Help us find the Holy Grail: a cure for MS."

Q Would you please describe the best-jersey trophy won by your team?

K So that money raised goes to find a cure rather than is spent on large, expensive awards, the MS Society recycles trophies. The one awarded to our team was a seventh-grade consolation girls' basketball trophy from the 1991 Coon Rapids tournament! Taped to it was a piece of paper on which was typed "2011 MS TRAM Best Team Jersey." It's all part of the fun, and certainly doesn't minimize the importance of the honor.

Q How many people signed up for the team?

K When Jay urged me to move ahead, I thought, "Yeah, we'll probably get two or three people, and that would be pretty lame." But Jay's family got involved and, with a lot of word-of-mouth advertising, 16 people joined the team. The eye-catching jersey was a big plus. Some people bought the jersey and joined the team even though they were unable to do the ride.

Q Jay, it's your turn. TRAMALOT team member Patty Sowers has completed many rides for worthy causes. She commented that the MS TRAM topped them all. Would you please elaborate?

Jay I rode the MS TRAM for the first time last year, and had just a wonderful experience. It was one of the best vacations I've ever had in my life, if you can imagine riding 300 miles as a vacation. It feels good to raise funds for such an important cause; you meet really nice people, and it's great family-friendly fun. There's music and entertainment every night at the campground. For me, it was such a pleasure to ride with one of my sons and the girlfriend of another son.

Q How many people rode in this year's MS TRAM and how much money was raised?

J More than 800 people rode, and they raised over $800,000.

Q What do Kerry and you have planned for TRAMALOT for next year?

J We've been doing lots of brainstorming. We will probably stage some entertainment with a medieval theme, and have a support vehicle just for our team. We also want to expand the team to double or triple its current size.

This columnist needs no further convincing! I'm going to become a member of the TRAMALOT team, and I wouldn't miss the 2012 MS TRAM for anything in the world. How about joining me?

To join TRAMALOT, see www.startribune.com/a634. If you want to participate with and/or support another team, click on "Team List."

Jerry Goodrich is a Prior Lake resident.