Growing up in the 1950’s and early 1960’s, cycling was something I did a lot when I was a kid – living in the countryside, it was the only way I could get to a swimming pool, a store to get candy, or go camping with friends. It was something I could do.

Fast forward to the early 1990’s and I needed to find a physical activity that was easy on the back and was outside. I rediscovered my love for cycling, particularly day-long rides of 50 or more miles. Between 2002 and 2018 I completed over seventy 100 mile “century” rides in such places as around Lake Tahoe, the Pacific Coast Highway, Route A1A in Florida, Western North Carolina, the Sea Gull Century in Maryland 16 times, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and even New York City and also survived a very serious cycling accident.

Then Mother Nature stepped in and changed my life arc. Three cardio ablations, one knee surgery, and a bout with skin cancer greatly curtailed my cycling for several years, but I also joined the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, a Masonic group that since 1971 has been dedicated to working with families and children impacted by Muscular Dystrophy. I have been greatly impacted by the kids I have met and are struggling with these challenges.

I have heard the call of the road again and am currently completing my training to once again be challenged by completing a century ride – this time riding the Tour de Frederick on June 7th. I will be riding my old-school 17 year old custom SEVEN road bike powered only by me (it is not an E bike!!). I want to make the ride even more special by raising money for the Tall Cedars of the Frederick Forest Muscular Dystrophy Relief Fund to support our local efforts to help kids and families facing the challenges of MD.

How can you get in on the opportunity to support my efforts? First you can donate $25, $50, $100, or more to our MD Relief Fund. Second, come out to the ride and give me a cheer. Thirdly, continue to support efforts like mine to help kids and their families. And lastly, please share my story with your friends, family and social media contacts!

Donations can be mailed to me at the address above – please make checks payable to Tall Cedars of Lebanon Frederick Forest and note MD Relief Fund in the memo section. You may make a cash donation to any member of our Forest. For credit cards, send me a text or email (note MD Relief in the subject) and I will send you a link.

Because of tremendous progress being made with CRISPR technology, a possible cure for some forms of Muscular Dystrophy may be soon in hand. The need for support of kids and their families will need to continue. Please support my efforts on June 7th.

About the Tall Cedar Foundation

www.tallcedarfoundation.org

The Tall Cedar Foundation™ is a 501 ©(3) charitable organization founded in 1951 and affiliated with the fraternal organization Tall Cedars of Lebanon International, an appendant Masonic organization (membership in the Masonic Fraternity is a prerequisite for membership), with over 7,000 members throughout the United States, Mexico, El Salvador, Brazil, and England.

The Tall Cedar Foundation™ supports children with muscular dystrophy, and they have raised over $19,000,000 to fund research for a cure. They also helped to found a national research organization and launch their largest fundraiser, an annual telethon.

In 2023, the Tall Cedar Foundation™ expanded their mission to provide direct relief to children in our communities by launching the Muscular Dystrophy Relief Fund™ with the purpose of promoting the promote the physical, emotional, and social well-being of children diagnosed with muscular dystrophy by providing grants to cover medical, therapeutic, adaptive equipment, camperships, and other muscular dystrophy related costs.

Other recent donations support of research of a cure include a $20,000 donation to the Strongest Hearts Foundation which funds research using CRISPR technology for treatments and a cure for muscular dystrophy, and $1,000 to Shriner’s Children’s Philadelphia which provides treatment for children with orthopedic conditions and supports research efforts as well.

If you know a child that may benefit from assistance from the Tall Cedar Foundation, please visit www.tallcedarfoundation.org/request.

Bob's Cycling Fundraiser for Tall Cedar Foundation/M.D.R.F.

Help me raise funds to help children with muscular dystrophy!