You don’t have to be a hardcore cyclist to ride at the Tri-State Trek and raise crucial funding for ALS research at the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI).

Of course, with distances of up to 200 miles over two days, the event has plenty to offer seasoned riders looking for a challenge. But an incredibly supportive environment, combined with daily 30-mile route options, makes the Trek a great introductory ride for those who consider themselves casual—or even beginner—cyclists.

Jenny Gore Dwyer and Deb Paust proudly say that they fall into the latter category. That did not stop them, however, from dusting off their bikes to ride in last year’s Trek. Now they are coming back and encouraging more novice cyclists to join them on their new team, “Antiques Roadshow,” at the 2025 event on June 21-22 in Durham, NH.

 Supporting the Tri-State Trek Through the Years

Jenny and Deb are two dedicated advocates for ALS research who have each supported ALS TDI for more than a decade. Through the years, they have frequented other major ALS TDI fundraising events like the White Coat Affair. However, in the past they were both happy to mostly support the Trek from afar.

For years, Jenny and Deb have both sponsored miles of the ride through the Dedicate a Mile program in honor of their late husbands, both of whom passed away from ALS—honoring Jenny’s husband, Pat, at mile 14, and Deb’s husband, Tim, at mile 44. Deb even rode one day of the Trek in 2017, in its previous format as a three-day, 270-mile ride from Boston, MA to Greenwich, CT. She says that, as a casual cyclist, it was a feat that pushed her to her absolute limit.

“I knew I needed that physical challenge to help me heal from the mental challenge of the afterlife with ALS,” says Deb. “I rode 106 miles. I was really proud of myself because I was able to complete day one. But I wasn’t able to get back on the bike for day two or three.”

For the next seven years, Deb was content to let that be her one attempt at long-distance cycling. However, in 2024, she decided that she was ready for another ride—albeit a much shorter one—and that she would try to convince her friend, Jenny, to come along.

A New Format for a More Accessible Tri-State Trek

This might have been a hard sell in previous years, but a new format for the Trek had made the event much more accessible to newer riders since Deb’s first experience.

In 2023, the Trek moved to a new base camp on the campus of the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH. Rather than one long course, riders now had the chance to choose between 30- and 100-mile courses each day. Jenny says that, when she heard about the 30-mile option, she realized that riding in the event could now be in reach.

“When Deb said she was riding, I said ‘well, that means I have to ride too,” says Jenny. “But I knew I could do 30 miles with some training. That was a game changer. I said, ‘I think I can actually do this now and participate in this event that I've been hearing about forever.’”

Tackling the Trek as Casual Cyclists

Jenny signed up for the 30-mile ride on Saturday. Deb opted for the 100-mile route, in order to ride to Tim’s dedicated mile 44, although she made arrangements to catch a ride back to basecamp with a route support vehicle from that point. To prepare for the ride, they both made plans to start training to get back into cycling shape—plans that they both say went mostly unrealized.

“Last year, life was busy and I did not feel like I was going to be ready for this ride at all,” says Deb. “I did a little training, and I was able to get to mile 44, and that's all I really wanted to do. When I got there, people were waiting for me. It was just amazing how well they support all the riders.”

Jenny similarly showed up feeling unprepared—but she was also able to make it through.

“I kept saying ‘I’m going to start my training tomorrow,’” she says. “I rode one time. It was a 15-mile ride two weeks before the Trek. I was going to try to do a longer ride. Well, it never happened. So, the second time I rode my bike the whole year was the 30-mile ride that day at the Trek, and I did it.”

Despite their limited preparation, both Deb and Jenny achieved their Trek goals. They also both say they had an incredible time connecting with a new corner of the ALS community.

“I’ve attended many other ALS community events,” says Jenny, “But this one was like a whole new world for me. There were so many people who participated in this who I had never met. You're walking into this huge tent at the end of the day to have dinner, and it's filled with all these people who get you, who understand you, who know why you're there and support you unconditionally. That was really, really eye-opening to me.”

“You can feel the vibe, the warmth, the community, and the care as soon as you step out on the campus,” adds Deb. “We're all in this terrible disease together, but we have each other. All of that care, the way it exudes from so many people and the ALS TDI staff, is just so unique.”

Antiques Roadshow: A New Team for 2025

Following their experience in 2024, Deb and Jenny are now working to recruit a team full of less experienced cyclists like them for the 2025 Trek. They’ve jokingly adopted the team name “Antiques Roadshow,” although anyone of any age is welcome. Currently, the oldest member of their team is 70, and the youngest is 42. They include both those who have never been to the Trek before and others who have volunteered at the event for years but have never considered riding.

To encourage people to join them, Jenny and Deb have been sharing their experience at the 2024 event, including how much less intimidating they found the cycling aspect to be, despite their initial concerns.

“We were very open that we didn’t train properly, and I was worried,” says Jenny. “But then, after the ride, we realized over the next day or two that we didn’t even get sore. So, we’ve been telling everybody—it was so much easier to do than we thought it would be. If we can do it, you guys can certainly do it.”

Currently, there are nine riders registered to ride with Antiques Roadshow, but Jenny and Deb hope to recruit more. They say that there are only a few requirements—and none of them have anything to do with how far or how fast you can ride.

“You have to be fun” says Deb.

“You have to know how to ride a bike,” says Jenny.

“And you have to appreciate good snacks,” adds Deb, “That’s it. There are no limitations.”

This year’s Tri-State Trek will take place in Durham, NH on June 21-22. To learn more and register, visit: https://tst.als.net/

To support Antiques Roadshow and their 2025 Tri-State Trek ride, click here.

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