Greenwich Police Ride Bikes to honor one of their own: Sgt. Roger Petrone

FROM GPD Press Release

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Greenwich Police Ride in Tri-State Trek

Beginning tomorrow July 24, a Greenwich Police Team made up of current Police Officers and a few of their friends will be riding from Boston, Massachusetts to White Plains, New York as part of the Tri-State Trek (Tristatetrek.com) which is a bicycle ride to raise money for ALS research.

ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) is a progressive disease that attacks the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, which, in turn, affect the movement of voluntary muscles. The disorder causes muscle weakness that can alter speech, cause difficulty breathing and decrease movement in the arms and legs. The majority of patients die from respiratory failure within 5 years of the onset of symptoms. All of the money from the race goes to the ALS Therapy Development Institute in Boston Mass. to fund their research.

The Greenwich Police team is riding in honor of Sergeant Roger Petrone, an active Greenwich Police Sergeant, who has been diagnosed with ALS himself. “I hope they find a cure because a lot of people’s lives are counting on it,” says Sgt Petrone.

The ride passes through the northern part of Greenwich on Sunday July 26, 2009 and the steep hill on John Street is considered a challenge for the riders.

Supporters and cheerleaders will line the road to cheer and support the riders and the cause. Greenwich Police will close John Street from 11am to 3 pm between Round Hill Road and Riversville Road. The Greenwich Audubon Center on the corner of John Street and Riversville Road will be a rest stop for the riders.

The riders will gather there together and then push off as a group to the finish line in White Plains, New York. Donations can be made directly to the ALS TDI at the Audubon Center on Sunday July 26 or sent directly to the research center at www.Tristatetrek.com

Cowbells to ring and cheer on the riders will be available at the rest stop for $5 on Sunday.