Woman’s illness gives bikers a reason to ride

By Leslie Moriarty

Herald Writer

SULTAN — One of the first things Laurie Mann missed when she became ill was riding a bicycle. So she finds it ironic that a group of eight Sultan residents are hopping on their bikes to pedal for a cure for her illness.

"My balance was so bad that I couldn’t ride a bike anymore," Mann said of when she first began experiencing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. "I was so frustrated."

The 50-year-old woman, who lives in Gold Bar, was first diagnosed with the brain disorder 15 months ago. Tremors in her hands and an off-balance feeling were the first signs. After a series of tests and an MRI, she was told she had Parkinson’s.

"The only thing I knew about the disease was that it was what (actor) Michael J. Fox has," Mann said. "I thought it was muscular. I had no idea it had to do with degeneration of the brain."

More than a year later, Mann has studied everything she can get her hands on to learn about her illness. She’s tried a number of medications and today is showing positive signs on one called Requip.

And she’s also become active in the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation.

It was through that organization that she learned about "Pedal for Parkinson’s." It’s a part of the Seattle to Portland bicycle ride July 7 and 8.

Many bicyclists will be riding to raise money for Parkinson’s research, Mann said. When she learned about that, she asked if there were any local people in this year’s ride to Portland who would be willing to take pledges for Parkinson’s research.

Mann, a longtime employee at The Dutch Cup Restaurant in Sultan, asked former owner Carolyn Eslick if she knew any riders.

"She told me she did, and we made the connection that way," Mann said.

Eslick, a city council member, knew that Donna Murphy, the city’s grant coordinator, rode in the event last year. Eslick and Mann got in touch with Murphy. Within days, Murphy had a team of eight riders who wanted to "Pedal for Parkinson’s."

That was just months ago. Now the eight have dubbed themselves "Team Sultan" and have earned nearly $1,500 in pledges in honor of Mann.

The team will ride the 200 miles in two days and spend the night in Centralia. Ride organizers anticipate 8,000 riders, Murphy said.

Of the eight members of Team Sultan, six have completed the ride before.

"We’re not really considering this a race," Murphy said. "And the donations are being given in the name of the team, so we really just have to get one person over the finish line to collect the pledges."

Murphy said, however, the riders have been going on practice rides and feel confident they will all finish. They will each ride at their own pace, but average about 15 mph. They will have a motor home along to carry extra gear.

Murphy said getting to the finish line last year was something that "felt great."

"But this year it will have even more meaning because we know we’re doing it to help Laurie," she said.

They plan to wear T-shirts to tell who they are, and they also plan to ride on a float later in July at the Sultan Shindig.

Mann said she doesn’t think the day will come when her balance will be good enough for her to ride again.

"But I am optimistic about the future," she said. "It’s hard to go from being a very active person to being someone who tires easily. But my attitude is good."

Mann hopes to be at the finish line to congratulate the Team Sultan riders.

"I’ll be waiting for them, with a big hug for each of them," she said.

You can call Herald Writer Leslie Moriarty at 425-339-3436

or send e-mail to moriarty@heraldnet.com.