FIU Flyers ride 150 miles for those who can’t

Cyclists already assembling 2012 team

For the first time in the 25-year history of South Florida’s largest bike race, FIU fielded a team of riders who completed the two-day, 150-mile journey to raise money for MS research.

“It was an amazing exercise in discovery of commonalities,” says Terry Witherell, vice president of External Relations and captain of the FIU Flyers. “Several of us had done the race before, but this was the first time we organized a team from the university.”

The FIU Flyers: Alex Paz; Claudia Paz; Joaquin Bello; Blanca Cooper; Liane Martinez; Coach Danijela Tomic (FIU volleyball); Terry Witherell; Maylin Travers; Anneyra Espinosa; Sandra Fernandez

Decked out in custom-designed FIU cycling jerseys from Barnes & Noble at FIU, the 10 riders (university employees and their relatives) raised $4,000 for multiple sclerosis research by finishing the Zimmerman MS Bike Ride Presented by Mack Cycle and Fitness May 14-15. The team rode in three groups for much of the Homestead-to-Key Largo-and-back loop, allowing members of similar abilities to ride together. They reconvened for dinner after the first day of racing.

Contributions came in from individuals across the university and community, as well as from Office Max and the riders’ primary sponsor, the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.

Riding for a reason

The team dedicated their ride to four individuals who have MS. One of the people for whom they rode is Pedro Pablo, son of Clara Cabal in the Office of Admissions. Cabal cries when she speaks of her son and what the FIU Flyers mean to her.

“I am so very, very thankful to everyone on the team. It means so much that people at FIU, the place where I work, care,” says the 13-year employee. “My son was diagnosed right around the time he graduated from FIU. We have been lucky in that my son has remained healthy. He’s a mechanical engineer, he’s married with two children. But it never leaves you. It’s always on your mind. He is healthy today, but you never know what tomorrow might bring.”

Each of the four who provided the inspiration for the ride was given a ride medal by members of the team.

“We told everyone we pray for a cure and ride like the wind until we find one,” says Witherell, who trained six months for this year’s ride, her third.

Panther Pride

From the police officer directing traffic who broke into the “F-F-I-I-U-U FIU!” cheer as the FIU Flyers whizzed by to alumnus David Goodman MBA ’85, who was riding for another organization but approached the FIU team about riding for them next year, the community’s unabashed pride in the university was a fitting exclamation point to an exhilarating weekend filled with sweat, sore muscles and camaraderie.

Says Witherell, “The coolest thing about the entire experience was everyone’s reaction to FIU.”

Individuals interested in riding for the FIU Flyers in 2012 should contact Witherell at witherel@fiu.edu. You can pick up an FIU cycling jersey now at Barnes & Noble at FIU on Modesto A. Maidique Campus.