The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Helping others makes treks more meaningful for cyclist
Tax manager raises money for 2 causes close to his heart.
An avid cyclist, Timothy Riesz doesn’t need a reason to hit the road. But riding to help others does make his treks all the more meaningful. In 2015, Riesz, a tax manager from Atlanta, cycled across the country and raised money for pancreatic cancer research. And this past June, he spent six days biking the Blue Ridge Parkway through Virginia and North Carolina to help fund Parkinson’s research. Both causes are very close to his heart. Riesz had an uncle who died from pancreatic cancer and two aunts are currently battling Parkinson’s.
Q: Can you talk about your cross-country ride?
A: I had lost my Uncle Bill to pancreatic cancer. He was sincere, sweet, kind and courageous. He lived each moment with his whole heart and wanted everyone that he encountered to do the same. To honor such a force of nature, I needed to match my uncle’s boldness and bravery. I rode for 25 days from Newport Beach, California, to Tybee Island, Georgia, a total of 2,650 miles. I decided to set an impressive fundraising goal for “The Love of Bill Tour” and to date, have raised $19,577.
Q: And what about your recent ride for Parkinson’s research?
A: I have been blessed with many beautiful female influences in my life. My Aunt Jody and my Aunt Kathy are two of the best examples of LOVE personified. They are beautiful and brave, elegant and graceful, kind and warm, intelligent and strong, and infinitely capable and courageous. With Parkinson’s disease, they face each day with profound determination. I met the daily climbing challenge with their strength and fortitude. I paired up with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for “Pedaling The Parkway For Parkinson’s.” I hope to raise $10,000 for the ride when it is all said and done. So far, with corporate matches, I’m at $6,250.
Q: Was the Blue Ridge Parkway a challenge for you?
A: It was quite difficult. The Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs 469.1 miles from Afton, Virginia, to Cherokee, North Carolina, is the longest linear national park in the country. It really is like a roller coaster. The first day, I rode a total of 86 miles. At mile 63, I started a climb that went on for 12 miles. On this trip, I also rode to the top of Mount Mitchell in
North Carolina, which at 6,684 feet above sea level is the highest peak east of the Mississippi.
Q: Did you ride solo or with a group?
A: Mostly solo. I do a lot of group rides in the Atlanta area, but I wasn’t able to find anyone else who could take off the time to do a six-day bike trip. My par- ents and my wife followed along in their cars. My dad rides some and when I got to the top of big hills, he would take his bike out.
Q: Did you get to check out the scenery?
A: I actually saw a black bear on my first day. He was in a tree on the side of the road. I didn’t
stop andget pictures. I was only going 6 mph so I would have been an easy lunch for him.
Q: What do you think about when you are on these trips?
A: I really reflect on my inner thoughts and Ifind it quite therapeutic. I get to see tons of stuff. I really enjoy the countryside and all of the people I meet.
Q: What do you get from riding for causes?
A: It gives me a goal. I challenge myself and other people to dig deep and try to make a differ
ence. Just riding a bike doesn’t accomplish anything. Riding for a cause and pushing myself is defi
nitely rewarding on a personal level and rewarding for those who can’t bicycle or don’t have the means to fight.