William Latham, comptroller of G8 for the National Training Center, has his sights on riding 80 miles for the MS Coastal Ventura to Santa Barbara ride, Oct. 10 and 11.
The weekend event is a fund raiser organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Most participants will be on road bicycles. Latham is using a 27-speed hand-cycle.
The G8 director, who manages the NTC’s budget, manpower and equipment, was diagnosed with MS in 1978 while on active duty with the United States Air Force.
During his lunch time here, Latham (who has a PhD in organizational design) trains for the ride. On Sept. 24 he rode for 7.2 miles at a 13 mph pace in 33 minutes.
Latham stays active with MS rides and has completed 54 marathons in a racing wheelchair.
Besides the fitness aspect of the events, he enjoys the camaraderie of other riders. The events also includes meals and provides festive evenings with music and beer tents.
Latham also is appreciative of the mission of the MS Society, which funds research and provides support to those who have the disease. Support can be provided for daily living, workplace assistance, mobility equipment, and family or relationship counseling.
His participation in rides is also part of helping raise awareness about MS and the capabilities of the MS Society. He encourages supporters to visit the Web site at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/.