Pets and Bike MS NOTICE: Welcome to Bike MS: Eastern Kansas Ride 2008! Newsletter for Bike MS cyclists, volunteers and sponsors July 2008

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1 Newsletter for Bike MS cyclists, volunteers and sponsors July 2008 Welcome to Bike MS: Eastern Kansas Ride 2008! Biking makes its own kind of marks on the landscape. Each person s reasons for taking our cycling challenge are unique, just as each person s way of moving is unique. To recognize and celebrate each of us moving ourselves, the National MS Society is introducing a new title, logo and brand for our annual ride. When you join a Bike MS event, you become a part of the powerful movement that will end MS forever. NOTICE: In 2008, we will primarily move to communication we will only have three printed Shifting Gears newsletters. By providing us with your address, you are saving the National MS Society thousands of dollars in printing and postage that can instead be used to provide education and assistance to the 25,000 individuals effect by MS in the Mid America Chapter area. Pets and Bike MS While we are all pet-lovers at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, for the safety of our furry friends and other participants, we insist that all pets be left at home on Bike MS weekend. Only service dogs will be allowed to accompany their owners to the event. We do not sell your address, so please add us to your safe sender list or look for us in SPAM. We will use the same subject line, Bike MS: Eastern Kansas Ride 2008, for all of our s. We will always post our coaching s online if you do not have an address.

2 New for 2008 Minimum Age Requirement to Ride: The National MS Society has implemented a minimum age requirement for Bike MS. The overall objective is to help minimize risk on behalf of parents, children and the MS Society. Therefore, to participate in Bike MS, you must be at least 12 years of age on or by the day of the event. These additional guidelines apply: All riders under 18 must have a signed & notarized waiver (by parent or legal guardian) on file with the MS Society. No trailers, tagalongs or carriers allowed on the route. All minor riders must complete the following steps with parent or legal guardian prior to picking up registration packets: review of the safety brochure review of special flyer for youth riders and parent/legal guardian During the event, all minor riders must ride in a group that has no greater than a 1:3 adult-to-child ratio. Raise $1,000 in Only Nine Days: Day 1: Sponsor yourself for $50. Day 2: Ask two family members to sponsor you for $50. Day 3: Ask 10 friends to each contribute $20. Day 4: Ask five co-workers to each contribute $20. Day 5: Ask five neighbors to each contribute $20. Day 6: Ask 10 people from you place of worship to each donate $10. Day 7: Ask your boss for a company contribution of $50 (or find out if your company will match what you raise). Day 8: Ask five businesses with which your company works to sponsor you for $40. Day 9: Ask four businesses you frequent (barber/stylist, dry cleaners, veterinarian, restaurants, etc.) to contribute $25. Visit msmidamerica.org to get other fundraising tips. Please contact Shauna Burrell if you have any questions at (785) (press 2) or sburrell@nmsskc.org How to get prizes in 2008: You can earn great prizes while helping people living with multiple sclerosis! Once you have turned in $500 or more by October 24 you are eligible for a prize. To claim your prize you will need to fill out a prize selection sheet, which are available at Packet Pick-Up or you can download one at You must fill out the form and return it to us by December 31 to receive a prize. If you have raised $500 or more to qualify for a prize jersey and did not pick it up at one of the Packet Pick-Up s, you can pick it up from our office (5350 SW 17th St. Topeka, KS) any time Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. starting September 30. If you also qualify for a different or additional prize, other than a prize jersey, we'll mail you a prize redemption certificate only after receiving your prize selection form. Certificates should reach mailboxes during November. Then you can order your prize online and have it shipped directly to you.

3 Call For Volunteers Join us for Bike MS: Eastern Kansas Ride 2008 Volunteer for Bike MS: Eastern Kansas Ride 2008 and be part of something BIG for multiple sclerosis! Bring your family and friends out to support nearly 300 cyclists on September 20 & 21 in Topeka, KS. How you can help: Contribute to our fundraising campaign Check in cyclists prior to the event Cheer on cyclists at the Start or Finish line Serve breakfast, lunch or dinner Work at a rest stop along the route Provide medical support, safety assistance, or transportation to riders And much more For fun in the sun that comes with meals, a free t-shirt, and a great sense of accomplishment, Bike MS: Eastern Kansas 2008 is not to be missed! For more information or to sign up, contact Donna at , (press 2) or dschlarman@nmsskc.org. Simple Steps to Online Success If fast, free and easy is how you like to fundraise, then online fundraising is the way to go. Here s how to get started! 1. Go to 2. Log into your Participant Center in the gray box at the top of the page. 3. Select the event you re participating in. 4. Click Personal Page (the hand icon). 5. Set up your personal page. Your page is your invitation to the world to become involved in the movement. By setting up your page, you are setting up yourself for success. 6. From this page, you can change the way your personal site is laid out. That s option #1 you may choose to have two photos, move where your status bar appears, change color schemes and more. 7. You can also choose #2 Click here to open this page for editing. This is how you change the actual words that appear on the page. 8. There are many changes to make to the content of your page. They include the title that appears on Fundraising Honor Roll, the headline and text of each paragraph, and uploading a photo with caption (must be in.jpeg form and under 200 kb). 9. You can preview your page while you make changes. However, we suggest clicking Save my changes first. Then you won t lose any work. After you click Save my changes, they are final on your personal page. 10. Finally, click to send our suggested messages to your friends and family. Links will appear on the bottom of your to take donors to your webpage to make giving easy! Now for the fun part! After you send your personalized to all your friends, family and colleagues you can watch your up-to-theminute fundraising tracker. Our online tools make it simple for your supporters to donate online to keep you moving toward your fundraising goals and a world free of MS. Visit msmidamerica.org for more information. Rest Stop Luau Challenge Presented By Olive Garden Italian Restaurant Rest Stop Volunteers get ready to show your island spirit! Bike MS 2008: Eastern Kansas Ride will feature a island/luau theme and we need your help in flaring up the rest stops! So get dressed up in your hula skirts, shirts and leis; drag out all your tiki and island gear and get ready to welcome riders to your island paradise! Which rest stop had the most creative island flare will be voted on by the riders at the end of the ride and the winning rest stop team will receive a dinner for 10 courtesy of the Olive Garden Italian Restaurant! If you have any questions or would like more information contact Shauna at , press option 2 or sburrell@nmsskc.org.

4 Wall of Fame 2007 Top Fundraisers Total Raised Bill Kennedy $7, Tony Vannicola $3, Megan Moffett $3, Melanie Linderer $3, Joe Spradlin $2, Wes Kimmel $2, Frederick Spears $2, James Mobberley $2, George Parkins $2, Kenneth Teter $2, LeLan Dains $2, Sharon Branson $1, Kristine Druen $1, Mary Innis-Jochem $1, John Mullican $1, Rebecca Laubengayer $1, Brad Schoen $1, Don Lennard $1, Jackie Davis $1, Joe Hullings $1, Michael Berry $1, Top Fundraisers Total Raised Terry Rafael $1, Linda Reynolds $1, Terry Diebolt $1, Matthew Hicks $1, Susan Diebolt $1, Bob Rowe $1, Terry Wilson $1, Mike Baker $1, Louann Brinkley $1, Darla Dale $1, Stefano Pettinella $1, Thomas Ward $1, Judy Knoll $1, Dale Lybarger $1, LeRoy Wedeking $1, Mary Galligan $1, Debra Klenda $1, Jean Hanson $1, Brett Deardorff $1, Hali Fieldman $1,005.00

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7 Beat the Average: Congratulations to Kristine Druen of Team Droopy! Kristine was one of our riders who turned in $625 before July 18 and she was selected as the WINNER of a new bike rack courtesy of Kuat Innovations, L.L.c. Kuat Innovations L.L.c. Springfield, MO Ph Fax info@kuatinnovations.com Did you know that $625 can go a long way for someone with MS? It can provide emergency financial assistance for a family's rent. It can fund a summer visit program for people in long-term care facilities. It can support a free yoga or aquatics class for 20 individuals to stay active and engaged. Did you know that the average cyclist raised $624 at last year s Bike MS? Think about what we can do if we just beat that average. More funds would be raised, more help would be given, and more lives would be changed! This year, we want you to help us BEAT THE AVERAGE. We will be giving another Kuat bike rack away at the program on the Saturday evening of the ride. Riders must Beat The Average to be entered in the drawing and must be present to win. Bike MS Weekend Itinerary Friday, September 19 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Early Packet Pick-Up 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. Tent/Camp-site set up Saturday, September 20 5:30 to 6:45 a.m. Packet Pick-Up 7:00 a.m. Start of Bike MS Ride 7:45 a.m. All riders on route (Late Shows SAG to RS #1) 10:00 a.m. Last Chance to ride Century Route 9:00 a.m. -? Lunch on route, Burlingame 12:00 to 7:00 p.m. Massages available in middle school 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. DJ Service/Activities/Grandpa Pokey 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. Dinner catered by Johnny Carino s 5:30 p.m. Route closes (All riders on route SAG to final stop) 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. Program 7:00 p.m. Entertainment 9:00 p.m. Lights out in gym Sunday, Septermber 21 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. Breakfast served by Chris Cakes! 7:00 a.m. Start of Bike MS Ride 7:30 a.m. All riders on route 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Finish Line Meal (Bring the Family!) 3:00 p.m. Route Closes (All riders on route SAG to Finish) Tread Setters 40: We are excited to announce our top fundraiser program, Tread Setters 40. The Tread Setters 40 Club is an elite group of cyclists made up of the top 40 fundraisers from the previous year. Collectively in 2007 these riders raised almost $75,000 to create a world free of MS. To reward these special individuals, each member of the Club receives benefits before, during and after the ride that are exclusive to the Tread Setters 40 Club. Some of these benefits are: Yellow Rider Number this number corresponds with your previous year s fundraising rank. Unique MS Logo items exclusive to Tread Setters 40 Club members. VIP Parking Pass. Access to the VIP tent the weekend of the event with a special spread of food and beverage. A free massage at the Overnight. To be a member in 2009, you must rank in the top 40 fundraisers in 2008.

8 Want to sponsor a mile along the route? Friends, family, and businesses are invited to sponsor a mile. For $110, your company or group can sponsor a section of the route during the weekend of the event. What does this mean? You can decorate your section of the route with encouragement signs, then invite friends, family and employees to come out and cheer on the cyclists. We encourage everyone to participate to help keep all of our riders excited and motivated as they make their long journey around Eastern Kansas. You can help spread awareness and get involved in a new way by sponsoring a mile. To find out more information or to sign up, please contact Shauna Burrell at , press 2 or at sburrell@nmsskc.org. Gina from Springfield, MO This is why MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn't. MOVEMENT!!! What a wonderful gift movement is. And what a scary thing MS is to threaten that movement. I no longer take movement for granted. Just for today, I challenge you to think when you ride. Think of the many people who are severely affected by MS. They would love to be doing this simple act walking. I have personally met many people that have been diagnosed for 10, 20, even more years. Their strength, courage and determination is inspiring. Enjoy your day. Never take for granted the simple pleasure in life movement. Exclusive Mission Possible Club memberships available now Join the best of the best in the elite Mission Possible Club. Our Mission Possible members go above and beyond the call by raising $5,500 or more. Why is $5,500 the magic number? That amount means you are raising one dollar for each person with MS in the Mid America Chapter. We like to recognize members for reaching this incredible goal by providing them with special incentives. Here are some of the fun things available if you raise $5,500 or more in 2008: Earn a Passport to the Nation: Want to experience riding in a new and exciting city? Our Passport Program can get you there! Individuals that raise $5,500 or more for Bike MS: Ozarks Ride 2008 can be a guest cyclist at any participating MS Chapter s Bike MS events until November No additional fundraising necessary. Just pay a $50 registration fee and ride! You coordinate and cover your travel, accommodations and incidental expenses. A free trip to Orlando: Enjoy beautiful Orlando on February 19-22, 2009, with friends from around the country through the Tour of Champions program. The trip is limited to top National MS Society fundraisers. The Tour of Champions trip package includes hotel accommodations, airfare, conference fees and some meals. This exclusive trip is the National MS Society s way of recognizing those who go above and beyond in helping the MS cause. The tour also provides an opportunity for top fundraisers to share information and ideas with others from around the country. Ride in Paradise: Enjoy the beautiful island of Maui on the back of a bike. For those participants who raise $25,000 or more, you can attend the Elite Tour of Champions trip February 20-24, As the Society's guest you will get to spend six days networking with other top fundraisers who have joined the movement towards a world free of MS. You'll also enjoy one of the things you love best cycling! The experience of seeing Maui on a bike with others who share the same passion is something you will always remember. Contact Shauna at sburrell@nmsskc.org or at , press 2 to find out more about the Exclusive Mission Possible Club.

9 Why Join a Team? It just takes one person to inspire hundreds that's the idea behind our teams. A team is the best way to be involved with any of the National MS Society's family of special events. Find the leader in you by becoming a team captain today! Join family, friends and co-workers to have fun and to create a world free of MS. Forming a team is great way to build a sense of teamwork while demonstrating your community involvement. Please contact Shauna Burrell at sburrell@nmsskc.org or , press 2 with any questions or to start your team for 2008! Team Jerseys We are pleased to announce that VOmax has been selected as the Chapter s Supplier of Prize Jerseys and Preferred Supplier of team jerseys for this year s event. Additionally, as a Sponsor, VOmax will contribute 10% of all net jersey orders it receives directly to our MS Chapter. Based in Massachusetts, VOmax has been producing performance team cycling apparel for over 25 years. We urge you to contact VOmax regarding your team s jerseys. Contact Zach Swan at zswan@vomax.com or JULY Calendar of Events Training rides throughout the month 28 Start of Rider Week AUGUST Training rides throughout the month SEPTEMBER 5 Last day to pre-register for Bike MS 11 Volunteer Orientation (6:00 pm) Lowman United Methodist Church SW 15th & Gage Blvd., Topeka, KS 19 Friday, Early Packet Pick-Up (5:30 7:30 pm) Washburn Rural Middle School 5620 SW 61st St., Topeka, KS 20 Wednesday, Packet Pickup (5:30 6:45 am) Washburn Rural Middle School 5620 SW 61st St., Topeka, KS Bike MS: Eastern Kansas Ride OCTOBER 24 Prize Deadline Keep Safety On Your Mind At All Times Preparation, training and common sense are what make cycling safe. Whether you are new to cycling or an experienced rider, knowing these safety tips will make your ride safer and more enjoyable. To be a safe cyclist, you should be aware of some of the following Rules of the Road provided by Bridging the Gap: SHARE THE ROAD Always wear a helmet while riding. Your helmet should be worn level and fit snugly. Drive on the right. Always bike with traffic. Obey all traffic laws. Stop at stop signs and lights, and obey one-way streets. Look, signal and yield before turns. It is now legal to signal a right turn with your right arm. These are just a few of the Rules of the Road. For more information about safe cycling and tips on group riding, nutrition and bike maintenance, please visit

10 Special Thanks to our 2008 Bike MS Sponsors Hill s Pet Nutrition Panera Bread Dairy Queen Office Max Berry Plastics Q Haag Oil Company Texas Roadhouse Hyatt Place Frito Lay Reser s Fine Foods St. Francis Hospital Robert s Dairy LindySpring Water Co. Chic-A-Fila Cytek Media Systems Capp s Bike Shop 2917-B S. Topeka Blvd. Topeka, KS Official Bike Stores The Pathfinder 304 Poyntz Ave. Manhattan, KS Cycle Works 2121 Kasold Drive., Suite A Lawrence, KS Sign Up Now! Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Topeka, KS Permit No. 766 Mid America Chapter-Eastern Kansas Branch 5350 SW 17th St. Topeka, KS ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Bike MS: Eastern Kansas Ride 2008