In 1989, a determined 17-year-old high school student from La Grange, Texas, set his sights on participating in the MS150, a 150-mile bike ride from Houston to Austin, despite having no prior experience and not even owning a bicycle. Undeterred, he left his athletic pursuits and took a job at Sonic Drive-In, working 25 hours a week at $3.35 per hour. After two weeks of saving, he purchased his first bike along with essentials like a helmet, gloves, water bottle cages, and bottles.
With his newly acquired $59 Murray mountain bike from Walmart—modest but cherished—he began training. Twice a week, he rode a 44-mile round trip from La Grange to Smithville, Texas, preparing for the demanding ride. After two and a half months of dedicated effort, he completed the MS150, overcoming the challenges of a heavy, entry-level bike with determination and youthful grit. That young man was Akeem Disu, who would go on to dedicate over a decade to supporting the MS Society through fundraising and cycling for a cause close to his heart.
Fast forward to 2021: Akeem returned to cycling, riding casually with friends and clients from his personal training business. Over time, their rides became faster and longer, and Akeem discovered a love for group riding, appreciating the camaraderie and teamwork it fostered.
In 2022, he took this passion further by forming his first team and training its members for the Texas Bike MS150. The 156-mile route began in downtown Austin and ended in College Station, Texas. The event was a resounding success, showcasing the resilience and determination of participants as they pushed their limits for a noble cause. Inspired by the experience, Akeem was determined to bring this transformative journey to even more people.
One moment from that ride stands out in Akeem’s memory. During a post-MS150 dinner celebration in College Station, a woman approached his wife, visibly moved to tears. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the team for their fundraising and participation, sharing that without efforts like theirs, she would struggle to afford the medication needed to manage her multiple sclerosis. Her words underscored the life-changing impact of community support and highlighted the importance of giving back to those in need.
This experience not only reinforced Akeem’s commitment to cycling but also solidified his belief in the power of collective effort to create meaningful change.
All Ass No Gas (AANG) proudly supports three nonprofit organizations: the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Central Texas Food Bank, and Dress for Success.
Philanthropy, charity, and volunteerism are fundamental expressions of extending a helping hand and uplifting those in need. Through the voluntary contribution of financial resources, skills, and time, these efforts play a critical role in empowering underserved communities and fostering their growth.
For any community, especially those facing economic challenges, prosperity often begins with support from within. By making charitable or philanthropic contributions to AANG, individuals can help create meaningful change for those in need. While “charity” and “philanthropy” are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings. Charity addresses immediate, short-term needs with one-time acts of giving, while philanthropy takes a more strategic, long-term approach, focusing on addressing root causes and empowering individuals for sustained, lasting improvement.
Volunteerism, on the other hand, involves individuals dedicating their time and skills to support organizations—often nonprofit or social service entities—without financial compensation. Volunteers willingly contribute their efforts to benefit others or advance community initiatives, motivated not by monetary gain but by the fulfillment that comes from giving back and creating positive change.
Through its commitment to charity, philanthropy, and volunteerism, AANG seeks to inspire individuals and communities to work together to support those who need it most, driving meaningful impact and fostering resilience across society.
While we are a cycling club, we take pride in being Austin’s friendliest and most socially responsible biking community. Our members come together to enjoy rides throughout the Austin metropolitan area, fostering an environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and encouraged to prioritize their mental well-being.
This statement of values reflects our commitment to creating a space built on mutual respect and shared purpose for the benefit of all. AANGCC is dedicated to maintaining a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive community for all members, regardless of race, creed, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation.
We stand united against racism, intolerance, bigotry, and all forms of discrimination, reaffirming our commitment to equity and inclusion in everything we do.
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