Steve is famous at Farallon for his biking. He easily won Most Miles Commuting by Bike in our latest Going Green competition. Plus, he's a really likeable guy. But it wasn't until I wrote this article that I appreciated what a wonderful human being he is, too.
Farallon Principal and Southern California resident Steve Figgins has commuted to work by bicycle since 1997. With his round-trip commute of 42 miles and weekend rides of 60 to 80 miles, Steve averages between 4,000 and 5,000 biking miles per year, making him Farallon’s official Road King.
Steve rode in his first charity biking event in 2000 as a challenge, and as a way to get into shape to accomplish his personal goal to ride 100 miles in 1 day. The event Steve chose was the 2-day 150-mile Pacific South Coast Chapter MS 150 event from Orange County to San Diego. Annual Bike MS events held in many locations are sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society to raise money to support MS research.
After telling friends about the event, Steve discovered that people he knew had friends and relatives who were suffering from MS. “A friend’s wife had her world turned upside down when she was overcome by MS in her 30s,” Steve remembers. “She was barely able to walk, and couldn’t read or drive a car. Thanks to MS treatments, she has her life back again, and is doing exceptionally well.”
Steve committed himself to supporting the fight against MS. Since 2000, Steve has participated in the MS 150 event almost every year, and has raised $34,742 for MS research and support. In 2016, Steve raised $5,272, contributing to the Pacific South Coast Chapter’s highest fundraising year of $2.6 million.
“You most likely know people who have MS, or have friends who are close to someone who suffers from MS,” Steve says. “You don’t need to bicycle 150 miles, but if you are looking for a worthwhile charity that really helps people deal with a very challenging disease, consider an MS walk or an MS bicycle ride. The shorter routes are just as much fun and challenging, and you get in better shape while helping other people. Now that’s a worthwhile effort!”
Steve rode in his first charity biking event in 2000 as a challenge, and as a way to get into shape to accomplish his personal goal to ride 100 miles in 1 day. The event Steve chose was the 2-day 150-mile Pacific South Coast Chapter MS 150 event from Orange County to San Diego. Annual Bike MS events held in many locations are sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society to raise money to support MS research.
After telling friends about the event, Steve discovered that people he knew had friends and relatives who were suffering from MS. “A friend’s wife had her world turned upside down when she was overcome by MS in her 30s,” Steve remembers. “She was barely able to walk, and couldn’t read or drive a car. Thanks to MS treatments, she has her life back again, and is doing exceptionally well.”
Steve committed himself to supporting the fight against MS. Since 2000, Steve has participated in the MS 150 event almost every year, and has raised $34,742 for MS research and support. In 2016, Steve raised $5,272, contributing to the Pacific South Coast Chapter’s highest fundraising year of $2.6 million.
“You most likely know people who have MS, or have friends who are close to someone who suffers from MS,” Steve says. “You don’t need to bicycle 150 miles, but if you are looking for a worthwhile charity that really helps people deal with a very challenging disease, consider an MS walk or an MS bicycle ride. The shorter routes are just as much fun and challenging, and you get in better shape while helping other people. Now that’s a worthwhile effort!”
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