Tri-State Trek Gathers Bike Riders in ALS Solidarity

The 12th annual ALS TDI Tri-State Trek is a 270-mile charity bike ride that spans three days, between June 27 and 29.

Riders come out for this challenging journey to support those affected by Lou Gehrig’s disease, which is also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The disease attacks cells that control muscles.

Participation benefits ALS research and development at the ALS Therapy Development Institute in Cambridge, MA — the “TDI” in the event’s name — according to information from Mari Sullivan Public Relations Manager at the ALS Therapy Development Institute

This event has raised more than $5 million for ALS research, according to the 2014 news release.

“There is no cure for the disease, and no effective treatment,” Sullivan said in an email. “There are approximately 30,000 people in the US living with ALS, and the average patient survives only two to five years following his or her diagnosis.”

Trekkers will take off Friday, June 27, from Chestnut Hill, MA. The route passes through Connecticut on its way to the Sunday finish line in Greenwich, CT. Riders will stop for the night Friday at the University of Connecticut in Storrs and Saturday at University of New Haven in West Haven. Participants can choose to ride one, two or all three days of the trek.

This year, some of the riders are participating in support of Amy Truman, 38, of Trumbulll; Sgt. Roger Petrone of Greenwich, who died from ALS this year; Steve Saling, of Chelsea MA; and Pete Frates, 29, of Beverly MA.

Read this year's news release for more information.