PROCTOR - Regina Lyalls has always been passionate about Multiple Sclerosis, but two years ago, passion became personal.

"I was signing up to do my first ever Bike MS ride. Ironically the day I received my diagnosis that I was living with MS was the same day I received my registration packet," says Lyalls, a rider battling MS. "Riding in the Bike MS event became very real, very personal, and very quickly."

Lyalls wouldn't let her diagnosis change her outlook on life.

"Attitude is 90 of anything you deal with," she said.

Lyalls decided to define herself through active lifestyle and not her disease.

"I did keep going and I was able to determine through my doctor that I can stay active," she said. "I can continue to do the things I love to do and cycling is one of those things that I love to do."

Lyalls came to northern Minnesota this week to encourage locals to do the same.

"For me to be able to participate in these Bike MS events, and meet people," said Lyalls, "and hopefully inspire them that they don't have to give up doing what they love to do."

It's also a moving experience for many living without MS, people like professional cyclists Lex Albrecht and Beth Newell.

"I got to do one of the Bike MS events last year in Cleveland, Ohio," said Newell. "It was just such a wonderful and inspirational experience. There were thousands of people there, road all the way across Ohio."

"It goes a little bit beyond professional cycling," said Albrecht. "It's something that's more important than just trying to get the win for myself and the team."

The pros were geared up to hop on tandem bikes with riders with MS for the 150 mile trek to support the cause.

"The person in the back they call the stoker; that's usually the motor. The person in the front is the person who does the steering," said Newell, "a really special bonding moment with the people who you're with over such a long distance."

"Work together on a tandem bike and we're gonna be able to push our boundaries," says Albrecht, "and push our limits together."

It's an opportunity to share more than just miles in the Northland's great outdoors.

"I think its pretty cool," says Lyalls, "I can take a lot of notes."

"It's such a beautiful opportunity to be able to share my love of cycling and fitness," says Newell, "Every time I come back from an MS event I get more inspired."

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