I am riding this year in memory of my dad Tom who passed from bulbar onset ALS in May of 2020. My dad was diagnosed in August of 2019 on his 54th birthday and fought a 10 month long battle with this disease. My family was first introduced to ALS TDI after his diagnosis and they were a huge support for us and offered their knowledge and services to help in any way they could. We are incredibly thankful for the ALS TDI team who were a shoulder to lean on during the difficult time in our lives and have made many friendships with countless people through them! My dad knew there would unfortunately not be a cure in his lifetime, but it was his hope for us to continue to spread awareness and raise money in hopes of them finding a cure one day so no one else would have to live with this terrible disease. Since my dad has passed, my family and I have hosted many fundraisers hoping to FIND A CURE! Salzburg Strong has volunteered at the Tri State Trek for 5 years now and this is our third year with riders participating!  

I’m riding in memory of my cousin, Tom Salzburg, who suffered from ALS.  Tom was a man of strong character who had a heart of gold.  His strength was powerful, his talent was amazing and the love for his family & friends was second to none!  I’m working to end ALS by supporting research at ALS TDI so no other people or their families have to suffer this awful illness.  Please support my efforts and keep Tom’s memory alive!!

May 11, 2020 the world lost an amazing human. Tom Salzburg was diagnosed with Bulbar Onset ALS in August 2019 and after a brief but valiant battle he left this world just 9 months later. Tom was our personal super-hero and the void he has left on his family is unimaginable.Tom was my true soulmate and I am blessed to have been at his side on this crazy ride called life for 35 years and that he chose me to spend "the rest of his life" with.  ALS TDI works around the clock to find a cure. They were the only people that gave Tom HOPE when the doctors gave him a death sentence. Tom did not go down without a fight, however he knew there was no cure in his lifetime and was humbled by the love and support we received from family, friends and strangers during the last 10 months of his life.  He asked the kids and I to give back as others had done for us after he was gone - raising money to help others who were diagnosed with ALS to make their lives a bit easier as ours was made during that time, and to raise money for ALS TDI to help find a cure so someday no one would ever have to suffer as he did. We have honored Tom's wishes and formed Salzburg Strong. Each year we have an annual fundraiser event and donate the money to ALS TDI and to an individual or individuals who have been diagnosed with ALS.  We also have a memorial page set up for Tom at ALS TDI where people can donate in his memory to help fund the lab.We participate in the annual Tri-State Trek every year as Riders and REST STOP 2 CREW to help them execute this amazing event and raise money to fund the lab and find a CURE! Please consider making a donation to ALS TDI to help Team Salzburg Strong raise money on our quest to help END ALS!We will continue to fight for those that cannot and will not rest until there is finally a cure. There is no better way to honor the most amazing man who left us too soon.Please consider joining our Salzburg Strong team as a volunteer crew member at the event or as a rider in the 2 day 200 mile trek. I promise you will work your tail off - lots of hard work, sweat and tears. But more importantly you will be a part of an amazing event that words cannot explain. The love, community, camaraderie and moments of sadness together for those that are gone is an inexplicable feeling and you are part of something much bigger than you imagined while helping to find a cure.