Tag Archives: arthritis bike ride

RiverRide 100 bike ride

100 Miles for a Cure: Cycling in the RiverRide 100

Introducing the first nation-wide RiverRide 100 bike riding challenge, created for riders of all skill levels, anywhere in the nation! Founded by Jeff Krakoff in 2013, this year’s RiverRide 100 is open to anyone, anywhere, with any level of bike-riding ability, and all proceeds from the challenge benefit the Arthritis Foundation to help:

  • Raise funds to support advocacy efforts and improve access to arthritis care
  • Provide tools and resources to help people with arthritis live better
  • Fund critical research to investigate new diagnostic tools, treatments and ultimately, find a cure for arthritis

Don’t have a bike? Don’t like to ride outside? No problem – spin class and stationary bikes are welcome. These miles can be counted towards your goal!
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Keys for a Cure

The Keys for a Cure: The Ortmans Take to the Road to Support the Fight Against Arthritis

Mike and Kate Ortman Bike RideAs chair of the Arthritis Foundation’s board of directors and father of a child who was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis (JA) at an early age, Mike Ortman is no stranger to the debilitating effects of arthritis. Mike became involved with the Arthritis Foundation, along with his wife, Kate, after their son Daniel was diagnosed with JA when he was 11 years old. Now 27, Daniel, who spent most of the last two years homebound and unable to work, is still fighting to achieve everyday victories.

Over the years, Mike has watched many unique and awe-inspiring ideas the community has leveraged to conquer arthritis. From Jen and Keagan’s 1,400-mile odyssey to the JA Conference, to Tom Baltes’ 16-state ride, David Shuey’s inspiring coast-to-coast ride, and the California Coast Classic (CCC), Mike has consistently been drawn to the idea of bike riding to raise money for a cure.

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From Coast to Coast: A Birthday Challenge Leads to Awareness, Funds for Arthritis

Tom Baltes arthritisA love of cycling seems to run in Tom Baltes’ family. Unfortunately, arthritis does, too.

As one of five children, Tom has watched as two of his siblings have been diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and another has had two hip replacements. Tom has osteoarthritis (OA).

“I was first diagnosed with OA in my left knee and lower spine when I retired from the military,” recalls Tom. “I’m a lucky man in that I have not been particularly bothered by arthritis, but my siblings have really struggled with pain. My arthritis is very minimal compared to what they go through.”

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Juvenile Arthritis Bike Ride Arrival at JA Conference

1,400 Miles for 300,000 Children – The Final Ride

juvenile-arthritis-bike-ride4

A grateful crowd cheered this morning as Jen and Keegan wheeled into Orlando for the Juvenile Arthritis Conference. This final ride marked the end of a 1,400-mile journey from New York City to Orlando by tandem bike.

“It was so wonderful to ride in with so many people cheering us on,” says Jen. “To have the kids who are attending the conference — some of them who have been following our journey all along —  there supporting us we finished was symbolic of the meaning of our whole ride.” Continue reading 1,400 Miles for 300,000 Children – The Final Ride


1,400 Miles for 300,000 Children- Making Connections

Jen & James- bike ride for arthritisWhen Jen and Keegan took off down the east coast, they expected a few bumps and bruises. What they didn’t expect is all of the people in the juvenile arthritis (JA) community they would connect with along the way. On their 1,400-mile tandem bike ride from home in New York to the JA Conference in Orlando, Jen and Keegan have managed to connect with — and even stay with — several families who are in some way affected by JA.

“There’s so much about this disease that makes you feel alone in this world,” says Jen, who was diagnosed with JA when she was 11 months old. “To connect with and try to bring people together is the whole point of the trip in a way.”

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1,400 Miles for 300,000 Children – Jen and Keegan Hit the Road!

11538150_10103515075382611_5507917117481852078_oAnd, they’re off! This morning, Jen and her partner Keegan took off from Queens, N.Y. on their 1,400 mile tandem bike ride down the east coast. Their journey will take them to the Juvenile Arthritis Conference in Orlando. While Jen admits that the next 17 days are going to be quite the journey, at the forefront of her mind as the miles pass will be the 300,000 children who are on a journey of a different kind — juvenile arthritis (JA).

Diagnosed with JA when before she was even one year old, Jen has made a lot of friends in the JA community. There’s the 14-year-old who is a circus performer in spite of multiple jaw surgeries. There’s the friend who just celebrated her 21st birthday in the hospital due to complications from her JA. There’s the artist and cook extraordinaire who is dealing with severe uveitis. There’s the nine-year-old who’s already a well-seasoned arthritis advocate. There’s the team of brothers who both have JA, but still goof around just like all brothers do.

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Jen Bike Ride to JA Conference

1,400 miles for 300,000 Children : Jen Bikes Down the Coast to Juvenile Arthritis Conference

Jen-bike-for-arthritisLike many people, Jen Horonjeff is traveling this summer. Don’t look for her on any planes or trains, though. Jen is making the trip from New York City to Orlando — all on her bike.

Diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) when she was just 11 months old, Jen is finalizing plans to ride on a tandem bike with her partner from her home in New York City to the Arthritis Foundation’s Juvenile Arthritis Conference in Orlando. The trip, more than 1,400 miles, will take approximately 17 days.

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