Bike Ride Stories

Rany Thommen Moser, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, has been an active volunteer, professional advisor, or sponsor of the Autism Society of Texas (AST) for as long as she can remember and is currently serving as President of the AST board.  “As both a professional that has served the Autism community for years and also as a board member now serving the organization, I have seen firsthand the tireless work that AST puts into helping families, “ she says.  “The support groups, training, referral line, and advocacy work done by AST create meaningful change in the lives of Texans with Autism.”

Rany has run in the annual Austin Marathon four times to raise funds for AST’s programs.  This year, Rany will be supporting AST by riding during the Texas Bike to the Beach event on October 26th.  Despite the event name, organizers canceled the beach ride, and our riders are participating in their own communities! Rany will be cycling 36 miles at Terry Hershey Park in Houston to represent the 1 in 36 children with Autism.  “I am not a professional rider,” Rany shares.  “I have never completed a long ride on a bike aside from a few miles during travel adventures.  This will be the longest ride I’ve ever done, but I am happy to do it for such an important cause!”

We are so grateful to Rany and all the 2024 Texas Bike to the Beach riders and donors.  Their support means that more individuals with Autism will receive the information and connection to resources they need to thrive.  As Rany says, “Riding for Bike to the Beach is such a fun way to support AST and bring awareness about ways the organization helps the Autism community and to educate people on ways to get involved.”

To show support for Rany and help her raise money that directly benefits individuals with Autism throughout Texas, visit https://biketothebeach.org/b2b-houston-ride/support/#rany. 

As a lifelong, cyclist, Marc van Bree logs 100 miles or more on his bike each week, either by himself or with a group. But it is his rides with his son, Willem, that he enjoys the most.

Willem is 11 years old and has Autism.  While he is nonspeaking and has difficulty with motor skills, he can use a device to communicate and loves to be on the move, even if it is just riding in the car. Marc and his wife, Tania, have always taken Willem to stores and restaurants to get him comfortable in the community.  That became impossible, though, during COVID, so they came up other ways to get Willem out and keep him moving.  Hiking became a favorite weekend activity for Marc, Tania, Willem, and his older sister, Elli.  During the week, Marc began taking Willem for bike rides around their neighborhood using a bike seat at first, then a bike trailer, and eventually an adaptive tricycle hitched to his bike that allows Willem to enjoy a more authentic biking experience.

Marc and Willem’s rides have become a daily activity.  “Rain or shine, hot or cold, we will ride,” Marc shares.  “Willem will push the ‘bike’ button on his AAC device and I’ll know it’s time to go!”  Together, they have done more than 1,000 rides and 5,000 miles.  “But, the most valuable metric of them all, “says Marc, “is the hundreds of hours we’ve spent together outside.”

On October 26, Marc and Willem had planned to ride a 25-mile route at Bike to the Beach’s Texas Ride for Autism near Surfside, to raise funds for the Autism Society of Texas, a nonprofit that has been an invaluable source of information and connections for their family.  Due to a cancellation by the organizers and a move to virtual, Willem & Marc will now be taking a few laps around the Austin Veloway!  This may be the longest ride the pair has done together so far, but Marc believes his son is up to the challenge. “With the right support and adaptations, we can make the world a little more welcoming for our neurodiverse friends,” Marc concludes. “When we listen and adapt, kids like Willem show the world how they shine.”

To support Team Willem, visit their Bike to the Beach page here! 

Alex was diagnosed with Autism right before his 2nd birthday. It was the scariest time in our lives. He lost his abilities to communicate in what seemed like overnight. There were not many resources available like there are now. I really had to search for help. We started early intervention. He learned how to talk and communicate again. We were diligent with therapies. There were many tears and hearts broken.