Cross-country cycler spins wheels for MS

"Thomas Beasley wanted his life to matter, so he got on his bicycle.

He set out to raise $100,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In 15 years, he's raised $103,000, criss-crossing the country with a Cannondale mountain bike, spandex, Gatorade and the kindness of strangers.

The quest began in 1991, a year after his best friend and mentor, John Toodle, died of multiple sclerosis. At the time, the 6-foot, 22-year-old Beasley weighed about 150 pounds and was training for the Tour de France, riding 100 miles a day.

The friends planned to do the Tour de France together. It would have cost $100,000 for both.

"My grandma always said to make my life count for something," he said."