Cyclists with Bike the US for MS trekked about 60 miles on Aug. 8 in the Sequim area as part of a 361-mile Olympic Peninsula loop to support multiple sclerosis research efforts and help those afflicted with the disease.

Duncan Moore, route director for Bike the US for MS, said the Olympic Peninsula team raised more than $70,000 for the one week ride around the peninsula, their largest fundraising effort of the summer.

“It’s more than we thought we’d do,” Moore said.

About half of the group’s members live within 50 miles from Seattle and the remainder of riders visited from Canada, California, Maryland, Virginia and more states.

They set fundraising goals and received pledges from family, friends, businesses and others for their rides, Moore said.

On Aug. 12, the group rode to Seattle to make a donation to the Swedish Multiple Sclerosis Center. They also donate to the James Q. Miller Multiple Sclerosis Clinic in Charlottesville, Va., and the Fairview Multiple Sclerosis Achievement Center in St. Paul, Minn.

Bike the US for MS also helps with home modifications for those with MS to help them in their homes, Moore said.

Prior to their Olympic Peninsula visit, a group rode from Maine to Seattle.

The Olympic Peninsula trip was so successful, Moore said, they’re planning to tentatively return June 2024 with riders invited to begin signing up now. Cyclists can go for one day or the whole trip, Moore said, and they can sign up at biketheusforms.org/olympic-peninsula-bike-tour/.

Riders were joined for about two hours on Aug. 8 in Carrie Blake Community Park by members of the Sequim MS Support Group.

The Sequim group meets from 3-5 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month in the community room at KSQM 91.5 FM’s offices at 609 W. Washington St. Meetings are open to anyone living with MS, caregivers, friends and family members who support.

Co-facilitator Jill Osborn said the “support group has been so helpful because it’s a safe place … and we share ideas and methods that we use to make things easier.”

For more information about the group, call or text 206-817-5636.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system.

For more about the Bike the US for MS Tour, visit Biketheusforms.org.