When he’s ridden 100 miles on his bicycle and feels like he can’t go another 10 feet, Steve Cabeza reminds himself, “this is a breeze.”

For inspiration, he remembers every person he knows who has multiple sclerosis (MS). Those folks are the ones for whom Cabeza and the Power Pedalers team summon their last ounce of strength to keep on riding.

It’s all part of the seventh-annual Dam Ride to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MS is a chronic, sometimes debilitating disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, causing problems with the nerves that communicate between the brain and the rest of the body. Symptoms vary widely – some people may lose the ability to walk and others may experience long remissions without new symptoms. Common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, numbness or tingling, vision problems and cognitive changes. About 1 million people in the U.S. have the disease.

Longtime Power Pedaler Jim Heilbron looks forward to taking part in the ride and helping support the National MS Society.

“Through the Dam Ride we’re able to use our personal passion of cycling to raise awareness and the financial resources needed to support those dealing with MS,” said Heilbron, senior vice president and senior production officer – West Production Group at Alabama Power. “Our hope is to ultimately help find a cure for those battling this disease.”

Powering up for 2020 mission

The Power Pedalers’ trek begins Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Lay Hydroelectric Dam in Clanton. After a campout and breakfast at the dam, the riders leave at 7:30 a.m. for Greenville, about 111 miles away. On Thursday, it’s on to Atmore. On Friday, the team will pedal 80-plus miles to finish the ride in Foley.

While all the riders leave the plant together, everyone has their own cadence.

“The young ones usually run off and leave me,” said the gray-haired Cabeza, laughing. “Everyone does the full route if they can make it. Sometimes people catch a cramp and might need to take a break in the ‘SAG wagon.’” The full-size SAG van, driven by Power Generation Specialist John Morris of Alabama Power, follows the bikers to ensure their safety and provide water and refreshments.

Steve Cabeza rides in memory of Alabama Power employee Scott Radney, who died from complications of MS. Cabeza’s dream is to find a cure. (Steve Cabeza/Alabama Power)

Cabeza rides for two special people: his childhood friend, David Walls, and Alabama Power employee Scott Radney, who died of complications of MS in 2015 after about a 10-year fight with the disease. Walls, who is nearly blind and has nerve damage, still battles MS.

“He’s such a good guy,” Cabeza said of Walls, who he’s known since the 1970s. As his next-door neighbor growing up, “David struggled walking for a long time,” Cabeza recalled. It took several years for Walls to get a diagnosis.

Cabeza grew up riding bikes and, in his 30s, took to the sport “like a duck takes to water.” Biking is low-impact exercise that’s perfect for someone who has had knee surgery, Cabeza said. After his third knee operation, Cabeza took up bike riding seriously.

“The biking strengthens the muscles that support the knee,” said Cabeza, a substation specialist in Transmission Substation Equipment Testing at Alabama Power’s General Services Complex in Varnons. “It’s better than running because you’re not putting that pressure on your legs with your foot hitting the concrete. Biking is just a fun activity. When you apply it to something where you’re giving back, it’s even more fun.”

The Dam Ride to support the National MS Society is an enjoyable event for everyone involved – the riders, volunteers and their families – Cabeza said.

“It keeps me coming back,” he said. “The volunteers and support are so great.”

Cabeza recalled a volunteer in 2017 who offered to fill his water bottle at a rest stop. Exhausted after the grueling ride in extreme heat, Cabeza needed to rehydrate before riding farther.

Handing him the water bottle, the volunteer told Cabeza, ‘I’m so thankful for what you’re doing.’”

Grateful for the cold water, Cabeza told her, in turn, ‘Ma’am, has anyone told you they loved you today? Well, I love you. You filled this water bottle when I needed it.’”

She looked at Cabeza earnestly and said, ‘I love you. And I’ve got to tell you something. Up until this year, I had to give myself a shot every day to help with my MS. But because of the donations and rides that people like you have given, the National MS Society sponsored research to develop a new oral medicine. Now I take a pill every day, and I don’t have to get a shot.’”

Her story – and those of Radney and Walls – is why Cabeza and the Power Pedalers continue to ride year after year for a cure. The last day, when the riders are very tired, usually feels like the longest day, he said.

“As long as I’m able, I’m going to keep doing this every year,” Cabeza said. “There’s a real belief they will come up with a cure. Treatments are getting better and better.

“It’s sad to see the devastating effects of this disease,” he continued. “Scott Radney was a hard worker. At one point, the Transmission crew guys built a lift for him in his bathroom, to make it easier for him to take a shower. He was so appreciative that people would fundraise and try to help.

“He’d say, ‘It’s too late for me, but for younger people, there may be help,’” Cabeza recalled. “So that’s why, when I’m riding and I get tired, I know I need to keep going. It’s a very rewarding event to be involved in.”