Pedal power: Bundy man to join hundreds in MS Brissie to Bay bike ride

Bundaberg’s Ian Zunker will head to Brisbane next month to participate in the MS Brissie to the Bay bike ride. Read more about why he’s participating.

Each week more than 10 Australians are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system.

It’s a life long disease which impact the brain, optic nerve and spine with the average age of people diagnosed being 30.

Next month hundreds of keen cyclists will line up in Brisbane for the Brissie to the Bay bike ride which raises money.

One of those riders will be Bundaberg’s Ian Zunker, who was diagnosed with MS a few years ago.

Mr Zunker participated in the Brissy to the Bay for the first time in 2018.

This year he will participate in the 50km ride which goes out to Wynnum and back.

“My aunt had done it in 2017 and I was in a bit of a ditch at the time with the diagnosis and trying to find work,” he said.

“She suggested I give the ride a go for a bit of fitness and something to do and it’s just snowballed from there.

“It’s (MS) something that’s affected my life pretty hardcore and other people around the place are affected pretty bad by MS.”

Mr Zunker described the disease as the “immune system eating your brain” and it affects people in different ways.

He said some experience it more with their spine and others can lose their vision due to optic neuritis.

“It’s a progressive thing and unless you keep moving all the time you just go backwards,” he said.

He said the event was “a pretty big buzz”.

“Seeing all the people around is pretty uplifting, it’s pretty amazing and gives you a bit of a gee up to do more to raise money for this disease,” he said.

Funds raised during and in the lead up to the ride will go towards research, finding a cure and looking after people with MS.

To find out more about the ride click here.

Originally published as Pedal power: Bundy man to join hundreds in MS Brissie to Bay bike ride