More Than 257 Miles: What the Ride to End ALZ Is Really About
Most people hear "257 miles over three days" and have the same reaction.
"Why would anyone willingly do that?"
It's a fair question.
For the more than 450 cyclists who participated in this year's Ride to End ALZ South Carolina, the answer has very little to do with bicycles.
It has everything to do with people.
This year marked the event's 18th anniversary. What began with roughly 50 riders has grown into hundreds of cyclists, volunteers, caregivers, families, neighbors, and supporters coming together with one shared purpose: ending Alzheimer's disease.
Among those riders was Keri Hlavin, Transitional Care Professional at Your Health, who completed all 257 miles while representing an organization whose mission centers on compassionate, patient-focused care.
For Keri, participating in the ride isn't separate from the work she does every day. It's an extension of it.
"Participating in Ride to End ALZ feels like a natural extension of the work we do at Your Health every day. Our mission is centered on proactive, patient-centered care, and Alzheimer's awareness is closely tied to that goal."
More Than a Bike Ride
While the miles are demanding, Keri says the ride quickly becomes about something much bigger than physical endurance.
"Every ride starts as a challenge between me and the road, but it ends as something much bigger."
Every rider has a different reason for showing up.
Some ride in memory of a loved one.
Others ride for someone currently living with Alzheimer's.
Many simply believe no family should face the disease alone.
As the miles pass, individual stories begin to intertwine into one shared mission.
The People Make the Ride
Ask Keri what she loves most about the weekend, and she doesn't hesitate.
"My favorite part of the ride is the people—the volunteers, the fellow cyclists, the neighbors along the way who set up signs and posters and ring cowbells year after year supporting us."
Support comes from everywhere.
Volunteers greet riders before sunrise.
Neighbors line the roads with handmade signs.
Families cheer as cyclists pass through small towns.
Complete strangers offer encouragement that somehow arrives exactly when it's needed most.
By the end of the weekend, many strangers have become lifelong friends.
Every Evening, Another Reminder of Why We Ride
After spending hours on the road, riders gathered together each evening—not just to refuel, but to reconnect.
This year's dinners, hosted by local organizations and churches, offered homemade meals, warm hospitality, and something even more meaningful: the opportunity to hear the stories behind the miles.
At Newberry College, riders heard from Lara Ciesel, Executive Director of the Barbara Stone Foundation, who spoke about the importance of community support and advancing opportunities for individuals with disabilities and those facing life's challenges.
The following evening, another story left a lasting impression.
News anchor Geoff Hart, who is living with Alzheimer's disease, joined his wife on stage.
As Alzheimer's has progressed, Geoff has largely lost the ability to express himself in complete sentences. Throughout their presentation, it was his wife who shared their story, gently giving voice to the thoughts and emotions he could no longer fully communicate himself. Geoff remained by her side, responding with emotion, brief words, and expressions that reflected everything she was saying.
Watching the two of them together was a powerful reminder that Alzheimer's doesn't only affect the person living with the disease—it profoundly impacts the people who love them.
There wasn't a dry eye in the room.
During their presentation, Geoff's wife shared that his favorite soccer team is Liverpool FC, whose motto is:
"You'll Never Walk Alone."
For Keri, those words perfectly captured the spirit of the entire weekend.
"We never rode alone."
Community Is What Carries You Forward
Over three days, riders experience more than physical exhaustion.
They experience connection.
"The weekend was about camaraderie, community, and connection. We rode together, struggled together, sweated together, laughed together, and cried together. In our busy lives, it's difficult to find that much uninterrupted time to truly connect with other people. This weekend not only allowed that connection—it created a magical space for it. It's the kind of experience that's difficult to explain and nearly impossible to find anywhere else."
In everyday life, uninterrupted time with other people can be rare.
The Ride to End ALZ creates space for those moments.
People who met only days earlier cross finish lines together.
Healthcare professionals ride beside caregivers.
Friends become teammates.
Communities become families.
"This weekend not only allowed that connection—it created a magical space for it. It's the kind of experience that's difficult to explain and nearly impossible to find anywhere else."
Why It Matters
For Keri, riding isn't just about finishing 257 miles.
It's about helping create a future where fewer families experience Alzheimer's disease.
"I ride for the individuals and families affected by Alzheimer's disease and for the hope that research, awareness, and community support can change the future for generations to come."
This year's Ride to End ALZ South Carolina came close to reaching its ambitious $1.5 million fundraising goal, with donations continuing through the end of the month to support Alzheimer's care, advocacy, and research.
Every dollar raised moves that mission forward.
Every rider helps tell the story.
And every mile reminds us that when people come together with purpose, hope travels much farther than any bicycle ever could.