Riding With a Cause: Local Firefighters to Bike Across NH

Over a dozen Seacoast-area firefighters will bike nearly 250 miles across the Granite State this summer to pay tribute to individuals affected by muscular dystrophy and raise money for researchers trying to find a cure for the devastating disease.

Individuals from departments in , , Portsmouth, Exeter and Rye will be among the hundreds of riders traversing the state as one over three days in June for the 25th annual Trans NH Bike Ride, which benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The International Association of Firefighters is the biggest national supporter of the MDA. North Hampton Firefighter Angelo Puglisi said, though, that the June 22-24 ride has a special significance that extends beyond local departments' annual boot drives and events because of the striking image of hundreds of people riding to the various corners of the state, all to benefit New Hampshire residents.

"To support an event where 100 percent of money stays in New Hampshire is amazing," said Puglisi, who said over 40 different neuromuscular diseases are aided by the MDA. "Other [benefit] walks are great, but the money goes to a national source. In the Trans NH Bike Ride, the money stays in New Hampshire. To be able to donate to a cause and the money stays local is just fantastic.

"It's a lot of work, but definitely well worth it."

Puglisi will ride in this year's Trans NH Bike Ride for the first time in 10 years, and he said it thought it would be fitting to return to the event — which he called "a great time" — as a way to celebrate its 25-year anniversary.

Joining Puglisi on the course, which begins near the Canadian border in Pittsburg on June 22 and ends in Portsmouth on June 24, are the following individuals from the following departments:

• Hampton: Jed Carpentier, Justin Cutting, Buck Frost, Jason Newman, Matt Newton, John Stevens, Dean Tsonas and Mike Woods.
• Portsmouth: Brian Wade, Rick Condon, Todd Germain, Jim O'Brien and Zeke Tappin.
• Exeter: Jason Fritz and Don Matheson.
• Rye: Chuck Gallant.

Puglisi said the event originally started in Salem, and all participants are required to raise a minimum of $700 to ride. Puglisi said he's hoping to raise $2,000, and said "a lot of people" shoot for a personal goal much higher than the minimum amount.

All of the money raised is used to fund support and special events for families affected by neurological diseases, as well as annually sponsor roughly 330 research projects and other research into the causes and effective treatments for those diseases, according to the MDA website.

The riders will make stops at fire departments in Laconia, Dover, Newington and other communities along the way during this year's event, which is dedicated to Anthony Jennings. Puglisi said friends, family and the general public is invited to celebrate with the participants at the end of the ride at Redhook Brewery in Portsmouth on Sunday, June 24.

Puglisi said all of the riders will meet at an undisclosed location in Portsmouth at 1:30 p.m. on June 24 before receiving a fire truck escort down the final leg of the ride to Redhook Brewery for the public celebration.

He said all of the riders will ride in unison to the finish line, which he said is an "absolutely" fitting end because the firefighter mantra dictates that everyone goes in together, and everyone comes out together.

"It's going to be great to be with these guys to do a fun charity ride," said Puglisi.

More information about the ride is available on the event's website. There is a special dropdown menu on the left side of that homepage for anyone interested in donating to the cause or donating to help a specific rider meet his or her fundraising goal.