The National Ski Patrol Volunteers for the American Lung Association’s 2017 Cycle the Seacoast
Jim Wackell, Dave Walker, Tony Curro, Roger Begin, and John Kane
National Ski Patrol Volunteers Participate in Cycle the Seacoast
The 8th Annual Cycle the Seacoast event took place on May 7th, 2017 with over 300 cyclists and 200 volunteers participating in support of the American Lung Association. The one-day, multi-route cycling event is held at Redhook Brewery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire each year on the first Sunday of May. Cyclists choose from 25, 50 or 100 miles route options and raise funds to support the American Lung Association’s mission: to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through research, education, and advocacy. Cycle the Seacoast has raised over $90,000 this year for the American Lung Association and fundraising is continuing through June.
The National Ski Patrol provided a number of volunteers to participate as both riding medics and route vehicle drivers for the Cycle the Seacoast. The American Lung Association is very thankful to have had National Ski Patrol members John Kane and Dave Walker participate in the event for the first time as route support vehicle drivers. John Kane is the Eastern Division Director and a Sunday River Patroller and Dave Walker is a board member for the National Ski Patrol and a Wachusett Patroller. Their vehicles were provided by Subaru, the National Ski Patrol’s signature sponsor. The American Lung Association ensures safety along each route by providing numerous volunteer-driven vehicles. These vehicles are used to transport cyclists as needed to the next rest stop or finish line.
Tony Curro of the Eastern Division of the National Ski Patrol and a Sunday River Patroller has been participating in Cycle the Seacoast for 4 years and this year participated in the 25 mile route. “The work of the American Lung Association is especially important to me as my mother had lung disease. Having the Subaru/NSP Outback vehicles was a great addition this year and cyclists riding the event immediately recognized the function and importance of those vehicles,” Tony said. Tony has worked closely with the event manager Melissa Walden to help recruit medically certified cyclists to participate as “riding medics” along each route. Over the last 4 years he has helped to connect numerous NSP members with the American Lung Association’s Cycle the Seacoast event.
“Cycle the Seacoast is made possible by the work of hundreds of volunteers – many of whom have been personally touched in some way by lung disease,” said Jeff Seyler, President and CEO of the American Lung Association of the Northeast. “We are so grateful to the National Ski Patrol and their team of incredible leaders that helped to make sure this year’s ride was safe, meaningful and energizing for all of our participants and the many supporters who are working for a world free of lung disease.”
Cycle the Seacoast riding medics Erich Bohrmann and Joseph Rogers, both Sunday River Patrollers, participated in the 100 mile route. Erich explains, “This ride is beautiful. From colonial Wentworth, the Oceanside mansions in Rye, the inland horse farms and old mills back to the ocean, the variety of scenery, landscape and architecture make this a gem of a tour – sign me up every year.”
Roger Begin and Jim Wackell, both Sunday River Patrollers, participated as riding medics on the 50 mile route. “I found it to be a great way to start my cycling season while supporting ALA. It was a fun opportunity to be part of this well supported ride along the scenic NH coastline,” says Begin. Jim Wackell states, “Participating as a volunteer medic in Cycle the Seacoast has been a rewarding way to blend my enjoyment of cycling with a worthy cause. It's nice that what started as a gratifying niche in the ski industry 20+ years ago has found a way to transcend the seasons to provide support to events like Cycle the Seacoast. A special thanks to Tony for making the connection between NSP's skill set and passion for volunteerism with the American Lung Association. The ride was well organized and the attention that the staff gives to logistical details is what makes this ride such a pleasure to support.”
The American Lung Association welcomes the partnership with the National Ski Patrol and invites NSP members to consider participating in the Cycle the Seacoast next year on Sunday, May 6th 2018. For more information or to register to volunteer for the 2018 event, visit BikeTrekNewEngland.org. Please contact Melissa Walden, event manager, with any additional questions at
207-624-0306 or [email protected].
About the American Lung Association of the Northeast
The American Lung Association of the Northeast is part of the American Lung Association, the oldest voluntary health organization in the U.S. Established in 1904 to combat tuberculosis; our mission today is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The focus is on air quality, asthma, tobacco control, and all lung disease. The American Lung Association in the Northeast serves CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI and VT. Lung.org
The 8th Annual Cycle the Seacoast event took place on May 7th, 2017 with over 300 cyclists and 200 volunteers participating in support of the American Lung Association. The one-day, multi-route cycling event is held at Redhook Brewery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire each year on the first Sunday of May. Cyclists choose from 25, 50 or 100 miles route options and raise funds to support the American Lung Association’s mission: to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through research, education, and advocacy. Cycle the Seacoast has raised over $90,000 this year for the American Lung Association and fundraising is continuing through June.
The National Ski Patrol provided a number of volunteers to participate as both riding medics and route vehicle drivers for the Cycle the Seacoast. The American Lung Association is very thankful to have had National Ski Patrol members John Kane and Dave Walker participate in the event for the first time as route support vehicle drivers. John Kane is the Eastern Division Director and a Sunday River Patroller and Dave Walker is a board member for the National Ski Patrol and a Wachusett Patroller. Their vehicles were provided by Subaru, the National Ski Patrol’s signature sponsor. The American Lung Association ensures safety along each route by providing numerous volunteer-driven vehicles. These vehicles are used to transport cyclists as needed to the next rest stop or finish line.
Tony Curro of the Eastern Division of the National Ski Patrol and a Sunday River Patroller has been participating in Cycle the Seacoast for 4 years and this year participated in the 25 mile route. “The work of the American Lung Association is especially important to me as my mother had lung disease. Having the Subaru/NSP Outback vehicles was a great addition this year and cyclists riding the event immediately recognized the function and importance of those vehicles,” Tony said. Tony has worked closely with the event manager Melissa Walden to help recruit medically certified cyclists to participate as “riding medics” along each route. Over the last 4 years he has helped to connect numerous NSP members with the American Lung Association’s Cycle the Seacoast event.
“Cycle the Seacoast is made possible by the work of hundreds of volunteers – many of whom have been personally touched in some way by lung disease,” said Jeff Seyler, President and CEO of the American Lung Association of the Northeast. “We are so grateful to the National Ski Patrol and their team of incredible leaders that helped to make sure this year’s ride was safe, meaningful and energizing for all of our participants and the many supporters who are working for a world free of lung disease.”
Cycle the Seacoast riding medics Erich Bohrmann and Joseph Rogers, both Sunday River Patrollers, participated in the 100 mile route. Erich explains, “This ride is beautiful. From colonial Wentworth, the Oceanside mansions in Rye, the inland horse farms and old mills back to the ocean, the variety of scenery, landscape and architecture make this a gem of a tour – sign me up every year.”
Roger Begin and Jim Wackell, both Sunday River Patrollers, participated as riding medics on the 50 mile route. “I found it to be a great way to start my cycling season while supporting ALA. It was a fun opportunity to be part of this well supported ride along the scenic NH coastline,” says Begin. Jim Wackell states, “Participating as a volunteer medic in Cycle the Seacoast has been a rewarding way to blend my enjoyment of cycling with a worthy cause. It's nice that what started as a gratifying niche in the ski industry 20+ years ago has found a way to transcend the seasons to provide support to events like Cycle the Seacoast. A special thanks to Tony for making the connection between NSP's skill set and passion for volunteerism with the American Lung Association. The ride was well organized and the attention that the staff gives to logistical details is what makes this ride such a pleasure to support.”
The American Lung Association welcomes the partnership with the National Ski Patrol and invites NSP members to consider participating in the Cycle the Seacoast next year on Sunday, May 6th 2018. For more information or to register to volunteer for the 2018 event, visit BikeTrekNewEngland.org. Please contact Melissa Walden, event manager, with any additional questions at
207-624-0306 or [email protected].
About the American Lung Association of the Northeast
The American Lung Association of the Northeast is part of the American Lung Association, the oldest voluntary health organization in the U.S. Established in 1904 to combat tuberculosis; our mission today is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The focus is on air quality, asthma, tobacco control, and all lung disease. The American Lung Association in the Northeast serves CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI and VT. Lung.org