Pedaling for a Cure
Published: May 27, 2005
She may a medical researcher, but Alison America has certainly lived up to her super-hero name. In July the 27-year-old will change out of her lab coat at the Naval Submarine Medical Laboratory, and into her bike shorts, in order to lead a group of her co-workers through a two-day, 150-mile bike tour sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. “I know I can do it, but it is definitely going to be the challenge of a lifetime,” America said. A lifelong runner, America only began cycling 13 months ago after an ankle injury forced her to find a lower-impact way to exercise. “I began riding with the Pequot Cyclists, a group here in Groton,” America said. “It was actually one of the members of that group who originally suggested participating in the MS ride in July, and I just said yes without really thinking about it.” America is originally from West Palm Beach, Fla., where her family still lives. After earning a bachelor of science in psychology from Towson University in Baltimore, America moved to Connecticut, to pursue a master’s degree in experimental psychology from the University of Hartford. Multiple sclerosis is a disease that has hit close to home on more than one occasion for America. “My parents have neighbors down South who have MS, and when I was in school I rented an apartment from a woman who had suffered from the disease. So when the opportunity presented itself to help raise money to find a cure, I knew I had to participate,” she said. America immediately went to her co-workers and began recruiting teammates for the ride. “It didn’t surprise me that she volunteered to lead our team,” said Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Herzig. “We are fortunate to have such a committed leader for our bike team. She’s volunteering her time for a great cause, while guiding us to the finish line. Some of us hope we can keep up with her.” Herzig will ride in the MS bike tour along with his wife, who will travel from Washington, D.C. to participate in the event. “I’ve never been one to turn down a challenge,” America said, “just ask my parents.” America’s mother has been one of her biggest supporters for the 150-mile bike tour. “She has collected so many pledges and sponsor checks,” laughed America. “She’s asked everyone from relatives to my fourth-grade teacher to write a check.” The two-day bike tour will begin and end at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, and will include an overnight stay at Connecticut College. Cyclists can choose between a 100- or 150- mile route, each stretching along the scenic Connecticut shoreline. Training for the event has been tricky for America, since the past few weekends have been cursed with rain. “Mother nature has not been cooperating,” she said. America has also suffered an ankle injury, delaying her training as well. “It’ll be OK. I’m sure it’s going to be a beautiful day, and I’ll be ready to go on the day of the race,” said America with an infectious optimism to her voice. “But don’t get me wrong, I know it’s not going to be a walk in the park either.” The name of America’s team is “Who knows?” originally a mistake America made when filling out the application for the bike tour. “I didn’t know what to put for a team name,” she said. “So I just put ‘Who knows?’ figuring that someone funnier than me from the team could decide on a proper name later. But they all liked it, so it kind of stuck.” Because of her job in medical research, America fully understands the costs associated with finding a cure for complex diseases such as multiple sclerosis. It was this knowledge that further convinced her of the importance surrounding the bike tour. “People like Alison understand how important it is to find a cure for this disease,” Karen Butler, director of media relations for the Greater Connecticut Chapter for the National MS Society said. “She is a wonderful young woman, who is volunteering her time for a great cause. We are so appreciative of her commitment.”
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