Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake, IL

Monday, June 6, 2011

LOCAL NEWS AND VIDEO FOR MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS

Central alum to take dream trip, fight MS
By BRETT ROWLAND – browland@nwherald.com

Frank Briscoe, 64 and a Crystal Lake Central alumnus, watches as his bicycle is tuned by Wheel Werks owner Bob Olsen in Crystal Lake. Briscoe is biking across the country to raise money to fight Multiple Sclerosis, riding 6,300 miles, crossing 16 states and finishing in four months. (Lauren M. Anderson – landerson@nwherald.com)

CRYSTAL LAKE – A former Crystal Lake man who maintains close ties to the city plans to spend the next four months biking 6,300 miles across the country to accomplish a lifelong
dream and raise money to find a cure for multiple sclerosis.

Frank Briscoe will turn 65 somewhere along the way. Briscoe graduated from Crystal Lake Central High School and now lives in Blacksburg, Va. He’s semi-retired from running a billiards wholesale company with his wife, Vickie.

Inspired by an article he read as a child in Boy’s Life magazine, Briscoe will ride six to 10 hours per day traveling 6,300 miles across 16 states in four months. He plans to raise more than $10,000 for the National MS Society.

Over the course of the journey, Briscoe will stop to speak to more than 60 groups, clubs and organizations about the National MS Society and the importance of following through on life goals.

“I’m not Lance Armstrong,” he said, pointing out that he recently had surgery to replace his left knee. “If you have a dream, you can do it. I want to see all the baby boomers do the same.”

Briscoe started planning the trip, which he will break up into three legs, about four years ago. He saved about $5,000 of his own money to finance it. To save money, he plans to cook for himself twice a day and spend nights in tents and campgrounds. That will require him to carry about 85 pounds of extra gear.

For part of the trip, he will be riding with members of the of Bike the U.S. for MS group and a support vehicle. Other sections, he will ride alone or with friends, including fellow Crystal Lake Central High School alumni.

Briscoe recently stopped at Wheel Werks in Crystal Lake to get his bike – named “Spirit” – professionally tuned up for the long haul.

He will continue collecting donations through November.  Donations can be made via Briscoe’s website, www.oldguyonabicycle.com. All of the proceeds will go to the National MS Society. Checks with a memo line of “Bike the US for MS” can also be sent to Frank Briscoe, 1302 Gladewood Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060.

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