Professor and student team up for MS Bike Tour

By Maureen Kolodziej
Collegian Editor
September 27, 2006

On a cold, rainy morning Robert Vogel, education professor and co-director of the Leadership and Global Understanding program, and his senior education research seminar student, Heather McKinney, teamed up with 6,500 other people for the eight-hour Philadelphia MS150 Bike Tour.

Professor Robert Vogel and his senior research seminar student, Heather McKinney,
teamed up for an eight-hour bike tour for the benefit of MS. - Courtesy of my la salle portal

As a team, they raised over $70,000 and the Philadelphia MS150 Bike Tour raised over four million.

Vogel has been riding with his wife, Marlyn, and many of his friend’s from New Jersey’s team for three years. He personally raised $4,300 on his own from friends and family for this particular tour. The expense of the tour is mostly donated by individuals and companies.

“The team rides for an individual who has Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and has over 70 members. It’s an awesome group of riders—all who care about helping others,” he said.

McKinney, offered to volunteer for the tour when Vogel made an announcement in his senior research seminar class about it.

“Heather, an athlete herself, never rode a bike that far. She did terrific, and I am really proud of her,” Vogel said.

McKinney participated in other community service events, too. She played a part in the American Cancer Society Bike Race and three MS walks.

“I really enjoy helping others. When the opportunity arrives, I take it,” she said.

She also expressed that the whole expereience made her feel great about La Salle professors. She was impressed that professors such as Vogel were willing to build a good relationship with students outside of the classroom.

The tour began in Cherry Hill, N.J. and finished in Ocean City, N.J. The two teammates woke up at 4:15 a.m. to begin their long day that lasted until they reached their front door at around 8 p.m.

Both Vogel and McKinney said the bike tour was well worth the obstacles they had to endure, compared to what people with MS go through every day of their lives.

“I feel so fortunate to help people and do something for them that they can’t do for themselves, like ride a bike,” McKinney said.

Another reason McKinney participated was because she knows many people suffering with MS. In particular, her best friend’s mom suffers from MS.

“Riding with thousands of people who care so much ,who are willing to put forth such tremendous effort, is a natural high. MS is a debilitating disease, and the money raised for research is critical to finding a cure,” Vogel said.

Vogel and McKinney also liked the health aspects of the race. It made them feel healthy and alive to participate in such a strenuous tour for such a good cause.

“Seeing the view from the top of the bridges at the end and knowing that I completed the tour made it all worthwhile for me,” McKinney said. “The best part is three-fold. One, riding for a great cause feels great. Two, riding with such well-intentioned and super healthy people is inspiring. Third, getting ready to celebrate my 60th birthday and knowing that I can do this also feels great,” Vogel said. “I hope to ride for MS in my 80s.”

According to Vogel, MS has 100 tours covering 48 states each year. Last year, 100,000 participants raised $60 million for the fight against MS. He hopes to get more students and faculty to volunteer for this ride next year.

“The reason I do this is because I can,” Vogel said.

kolodziejm1@lasalle.edu