MAKE ME A THRIVER

By LISA COWNIE

Taking the path less traveled helps the KOLSTADS THRIVE!

Life takes us down many paths. Blaine Kolstad prefers to travel that path on three wheels.

“I have a three-wheel tadpole trike, two wheels in front and one in the rear,” he explains. “I love my trike, it’s like sitting in a recliner while riding a bike.” But let’s back pedal a bit, and let you know why this three-wheeled mode of transportation is so important to Blaine. He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2006. “My family has a history of MS,” explains Blaine. “My mother, aunt, uncle and brother all had MS. My brother died at age 45 due to MS complications. I was diagnosed in 2006, but had shown symptoms for 25 years. In 2014, I became disabled because of my MS and stopped working because the MS took away a lot of my cognitive/memory capabilities. It’s to the point that walking can become difficult for me at times.“

With the mindset of a Thriver, Blaine and his wife Teresa, are always looking for ways to make the most out of any situation. That’s where his trike comes in. “Biking allows me to work out, stay active and get around town and the countryside,” he says. “My MS also causes me to have balance issues and a standard bike was becoming dangerous to ride, so two years ago I made the switch to my trike. Riding my trike also helps my mental health by allowing me to get outside in the fresh air during the summer and even enjoy the frigid Minnesota winters.” Helping others to thrive, Blaine and Teresa got involved with the Thursday night bike club at SCHEELS in Mankato. “Our good friend Savannah Quandt invited us to join her on the SCHEELS bike ride about six years ago. We’ve been doing it ever since. The group was very welcoming and we’ve made some very good friends. We’ve made it a priority to make it to the ride on most Thursdays, May through September. We both help with the rides by leading a ride or sweeping the ride, that means making sure no one is left behind. After each ride, most of the bikers gather at the WOW Zone for dinner and a cold beverage.” Blaine and Teresa credit biking as a big factor in making them Thrivers. “I ride my bike 2,000-3,000 miles each year and I ride year-round. So biking is a very big part of my life and my main form of exercise. Teresa is an occasional rider, mostly Thursday nights for the SCHEELS ride. The SCHEELS ride is a social activity that both of us do together. Teresa loves to walk and walks most every day. Together we find ways to continue to Thrive.”

About the SCHEELS Thursday Night Bike Club

All riders welcome! They have a ride for everyone. Meet in the Mankato SCHEELS parking lot at 6 p.m. and the rides end at the WOW!ZONE with food, drink, and game specials for the riders. Check out Mankato SCHEELS Facebook page every Wednesday for ride details. ■

Do you know a Thriver?

If so, email Lisa Cownie at LCownie@gmail.com

Nicollet Bike Shop also leads group rides.

Visit www.nicolletbike.com