2025 marks the 26th year of this fun and family-friendly bike ride which has raised over 2 million dollars for the ALS cause.

In 1999, Dan Frank and his siblings hatched an idea that turned into one of the most successful ALS fundraisers for ALS United Mid-Atlantic. Their idea: A long-distance bike ride through South Jersey, ending at the family summer home in Sea Isle, NJ. It was a great first-year for the “ALS Express” as it was then called and culminated with friends and family celebrating Dan’s mom, Eileen Frank, who was living with ALS. Each rider solicited donations to raise money for ALS United Mid-Atlantic's work in helping families like the Frank’s as well as support funding for ALS research. 

The next year brought change. And this change became a catalyst for the success of the ride.

Jackye Morey loved scooting along the beaches of Wildwood, NJ in her beach wheelchair. Tragically, her ride came to an end in July of 1998 when ALS claimed her life. However, thanks to her sons, Will and Jack Morey, and thousands who have participated in what was rekindled the “Ride to Defeat ALS”, she will never, ever be forgotten. Will and Jack agreed to move the bike ride endpoint to Morey’s Piers and Waterparks in Wildwood, thus drawing hundreds of happy cyclists to enjoy this seaside mecca. 2019, the 50th anniversary of Morey’s Piers and Water Parks, saw more changes in the ride and today it begins and ends on the boardwalk in Wildwood and riders can chose from five distance options. No other bike ride in the country offers such amenities - TWO passes to Morey’s Piers for every rider and free passes for ALS families and a fun-filled endpoint with free lunch in Wildwood.

We thank the Frank family for their vision and the Morey family for their unwavering support.