Cyclist Handbook PA Dutch MS Bike Tour JULY 21-22, 2007 CONTACT US: 1.800.445.BIKE WWW.MSCYCLING.ORG
MS Cyclist Handbook Table of Contents What you should be doing now: Training 2 Recruit a Friend (to win) 2 In preparation for the weekend: Bike Inspection 3 Money Turn-in 3 Checklist What to Bring 3 The weekend of the Bike Tour: Start Time/Point 4 Friday Night 4 Saturday Morning (check-in) 4 Route 4 Directions 5 Food, Rest Stops, Meals 6 Saturday Accommodations 6 Getting the VIP Treatment 7 Saturday Activities & Awards Ceremony 7 Sunday A.M. 7 Sunday Finish Line 7 General Information: Fundraising Levels/Prizes 8 Bikes, Types 9 Luggage 9 Swimming 9 Full Route Support 9 Volunteering 9 Weather 9 SAFETY! 10 Dear PA Dutch Cyclist: Welcome to the 20th Anniversary PA Dutch MS Bike Tour! The event is fast approaching, so use this guide to prepare yourself and your bike for a great weekend adventure! Please take a few minutes to review this guide. Here are a few key items: Bike Line Coupon. Bring your bike to your local Bike Line for an inspection prior to the Bike Tour this will help to avoid pesky, technical problems during the weekend. Recruit A Friend. Recruit a friend to participate in PA Dutch and be eligible to win a $350 shopping spree, compliments of Bike Line. Thank you for joining us in our fight against multiple sclerosis. I look forward to working with you to make the 2007 PA Dutch the best ever! Sincerely, Lindsay McFillin, MS Bike Tour Coordinator What s New in 2007 Housing Form Shuttles No Camping www.mscycling.org
What You Should Be Doing Now 2 Training The approach is simple: Get outside and start training. The PA Dutch terrain is challenging, so be sure to train properly. These are helpful training tips from Bicycling Magazine: EMPHASIZE QUALITY. A quick, 30-minute ride that keeps your heart rate in the target training zone (60-85% of your maximum heart rate) can really enhance fitness. MINIMIZE YOUR MILEAGE. About 150, well-planned training miles per week are plenty. A good rule of thumb is that you can generally handle a distance that s 3 times as long as your average training ride. TAKE DAYS OFF. Even if you miss a day or two, simply plan a more intense session before or after the days you miss. RIDE AT DAWN. The advantages include cool, calm air, minimal traffic, and a great start to the day. RIDE AT LUNCH. Get a great workout by sandwiching an intense ride between a quick warm-up and cool-down. Recruit a Friend Most often, cyclists hear about PA Dutch through word of mouth. Help us to spread the word. Share your Tour experiences and recruit new cyclists. Each time you recruit a new cyclist or volunteer, you ll be entered into a drawing for a $350 shopping spree, compliments of To enter the drawing, email your name and the name of the person you recruit to Lindsay.mcfillin@pae.nmss.org by Friday, July 13th. Note: Your recruit must register and ride for you to be eligible. The winner will be drawn on Saturday, July 21 at Millersville University during the Awards Ceremony. See Weekend of the Bike Tour/Awards Ceremony for details. Friends don t let friends ride alone Recruit a friend today!! The more friends you recruit the more chances to win!
In Preparation For The Weekend 3 Bike Inspection Take your bicycle to your local Bike Line for an inspection before doing the Dutch. You re going to spend time training and it would be a shame if your bike wasn t ready to perform for the Tour. In addition, Bike Line provides free technical support during the Tour weekend. They will be available for minor repairs both on the route and at the rest stops. Money Turn-In Each cyclist must turn-in the minimum $250 prior to riding to receive your required rider number. To make the day of the event easier, you can receive your number in the mail if you turn-in your donations before June 18th. Below are several options for turning in your donations: Mail your pledges to: National MS Society, 1 Reed Street, #200, Philadelphia, PA 19147. Visit www.mscycling.org to fundraise online or make a self-pledge via credit card on our secure Web site. Stop by your local National MS Society office to turn-in your pledges. Call 1-800-445-Bike for office hours National MS Society 1 Reed Street, #200 Philadelphia, PA 19147 3393 We highly recommend that you turn in your donations prior to the Tour. This cuts down on your worries the morning of the event and you could take home some great prizes. See page 8 for details. Checklist What To Bring (Other than your bike!) RIDER # Advil/Tylenol Mini-Air Pump Camera/Film Cycling Shoes Cycling Gloves Energy Bars Patch Kit Medication Helmet Alarm Clock Linens (Towel, Blanket) Sunglasses Sunscreen Windbreaker Rain jacket Spare Tube ID Garbage Bags Spending $ Toiletries Water Bottle (in case of rain) Bathing Suit First Aid Kit Clothes for Sat. Night Check out www.bikeline.com.
The Weekend Of The Bike Tour 4 Start Time/Point: 75 & 100-mile Routes The 75/100 mile starts at Green Lane Park in Montgomery County on Saturday and Millersville University on Sunday. For directions please see page 9. Check-in will be from 6:30-8:00 A.M.. No one will be allowed access to the route before 6:30 A.M.. All cyclists must be on the road by 8:00 A.M.. Start Time/Point: 50-mile route The 50-mile start is at Honey Brook Elementary Center in Chester County. The 50-mile option will now be offered as a one-day or two-day option. Check-in for the 50-mile route option is at 7:30 A.M.. The 50-mile route group start time is 9:00 A.M. All cyclists must be on the road at this time. One-day option on Saturday ONLY or a two-day option. Friday Night Accommodations The Best Western in Lansdale, PA has a block of rooms available for Friday, July 20th. The price is $80 if booked before June 21st. For reservations call 1.800.277.3615 and mention the PA Dutch MS Bike Tour. This hotel is approximately 10 miles from Green Lane Park. Saturday Morning Check-In When you arrive at the Bike Tour, follow these steps to prepare for your adventure: 1) Report to either the Team Tent (cyclists riding with a team) or Individual Tent (everyone else). 2) Drop off your minimum $250 or any additional contributions. 3) Get your rider number if you don t already have one. 4) Sign a WAIVER. 5) Put your luggage tag on your luggage and drop it off at the Luggage Tent. 6) If you re on a team, find your teammates and go to the Team Photo Tent. 7) DO THE DUTCH! Route This year s route will be a treat to both new and veteran cyclists and we can t wait to share the experience with you. We have spent long hours making this year s route the best scenery ever to grace the eyes of our cyclists! Visit our Web site at www.mscycling.org for the Official PA Dutch Cue Sheets or call 1-800-445 BIKE to request a cue sheet. Saturday one-day ride or a full weekend cycling adventure. Choose your challenge! We offer a route for everyone. Choose from four route options, choose from a one or two day ride: a 50-mile moderate route, a 75-mile traditional route (actual mileage: 78) and the 100-mile Double Dutch! 75/100 route begins at Green Lane Park and 50-mile start begins at Honey Brook Elementary Center. You have until 5:00 p.m. to finish, so take your time and enjoy the scenery. Average cyclists pedal about 13-15 miles/hour. View the route in mid-june at www.mscycling.org
Directions 5 Directions to the Green Lane Park (Saturday start, Sunday Finish): Deep Creek and Snyder Road, Green Lane, PA 18054 From New York City or all Points East Take I-78 West to 60A (Route 309 South) towards Quakertown. Turn right onto John Fries HWY(PA 663). Follow route 663 to Route 29 and turn left onto Main street (route 29). Continue on Main street, pass Snyder Road and turn right onto Deep Creek Rd. Turn right onto Snyder Road, Parking attendants will direct you to a spot. From Philadelphia Take I-76 to I-476 North. Take the NE Extension of the PA Turnpike to exit 31 Lansdale. Turn right after toll onto Route 63 W heading towards Harleysville. Continue on 63 W (Sumneytown Pike) until Route 29. Turn left onto Gravel Pike (Route 29). Pass Snyder Road and turn right onto Deep Creek Rd. Turn right onto Snyder Road, Parking attendants will direct you to a spot. From Harrisburg, York, or West Take I-81 North to I-78 East (Allentown) and follow to Exit 51 toward I-476. Take the I-476 S towards Philadelphia. Take exit 44 towards Quakertown and turn right onto John Fries HWY (route 663). Follow route 663 to Route 29 and turn left onto Main street (route 29). Continue on Main street, pass Snyder Road and turn right onto Deep Creek Rd. Turn right onto Snyder Road, Parking attendants will direct you to a spot. Directions to Millersville University (Saturday Finish, Sunday start): W. Frederick Street, Millersville,, Pa. 17551 From Philadelphia & New Jersey: Take 76 West turns into PA Turnpike West and take Exit 286 (Reading/Lancaster) and follow Route 222 south to Route 30 west. Take the exit for Route 741 east. Follow 741 East (Rohrerstown Road that becomes Millersville Road). About four miles beyond Route 30, turn right at the light at Route 999. At the third traffic light turn left onto George Street. Follow George Street and make a left onto W Frederick St. Follow Frederick until it leads to a parking lot. From Lehigh Valley/Reading: Take Rte. 222 South to Route 30 West. Take the exit for Route 741 east. Follow 741 East (Rohrerstown Road that becomes Millersville Road). About four miles beyond Route 30, turn right at the light at Route 999. At the third traffic light turn left onto George Street. Follow George Street and make a left onto W Frederick St. Follow Frederick until it leads to a parking lot. From Harrisburg and Points West: Take Route 283 east to exit for Route 741 east. Follow 741 East (Rohrerstown Road that becomes Millersville Road). About four miles beyond Route 30, turn right at the light at Route 999. At the third traffic light turn left onto George Street. Follow George Street and make a left onto W Frederick St. Follow Frederick until it leads to a parking lot. Directions to Honey Brook Elementary Center (50-mile start) 1530 W. Walnut Road Honey Brook, Pa. 19344 From Philadelphia & New Jersey: Take 76 West turns into PA Turnpike West and take exit 298 176N toward Morgantown. From 176-N take PA-10 S exit towards PA-23/Morgantown. Turn slight right onto Route 10 and continue until Walnut Road. Turn right onto Walnut and turn left into Honey Brook Elementary Center. Parking attendants will direct you to a spot. From Lehigh Valley/Reading: Take Rte. 222 South to Route 422 East. Merge onto 176 South/ Morgantown EXPY. From 176-s take PA-10 exit towards PA-23/HoneyBrook. Turn right onto Route 10/23 and turn left onto Route 10. Continue on route 10 and turn right onto Walnut and turn left into Honey Brook Elementary Center. Parking attendants will direct you to a spot. From Harrisburg and Points West: Take 83 N to 283 S and merge onto 76 East. From 76 East take exit 298 toward Morgantown on 176-North. From 176-N take PA-10 S exit towards PA-23/Morgantown. Turn slight right onto Route 10 and continue until Walnut Road. Turn right onto Walnut and turn left into Honey Brook Elementary Center Questions? Call 1-800-445-BIKE.
The Weekend Of The Bike Tour 6 Food, Rest Stops and Meals We have rest stops along the route approximately every 15 miles, that are fully-stocked with snacks and beverages. We also offer lunch at the mid-point each day. While we provide more than enough food, bring extra energy bars with you for emergencies. This year, we are proud to announce that the following companies will sponsor rest stops and finish lines to make the experience even better: Before the Awards Ceremony on Saturday, dinner will be served from 4:00 6:30p.m.. Check into your or dorm, shower and head to the cafeteria for this free, carb-loading dinner! If you are not staying overnight there are showers in the gymnasium locker rooms to use. After a good night s sleep at Millersville University, you ll get a cafeteria-style, energy-boosting breakfast. It is served from 5:30 a.m. 8:00 a.m. Breakfast is free for all cyclists. At the Finish Line on Sunday, we also serve a pasta dinner, compliments of as you celebrate your accomplishment! Saturday Night Accommodations Millersville University is the overnight host for our Saturday Night Festivities and lodging. All housing room assignments for pre-registered cyclists must be made pre-event with the housing form you received via e-mail and mail. If you need another form please call 1.800.445.BIKE x161. The deadline to submit the housing form is June 30th. Camping is prohibited on Millersville University s Campus. Room options/costs for cyclists Option 1: Millersville University s all air-condition dorm rooms will host our Saturday overnight for a cost of $30 per person and $3 for linens (1 pillow, 1 pillow case and two sheets). Please bring your own towels and toiletries for showering Option 2: There is an old hotel on campus that has been converted into dormitories. This option has a large room with two double beds and a private bath. This is a great alternative for families and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a very limited number of rooms and we ask you only request this option if you have special circumstances such as small children that will be accompanying you. The cost is $90 per room (linens included). NO CAMPING ON CAMPUS. PROHITBITED BY MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY. Learn more about MS, visit www.jointhemovement.org
The Weekend Of The Bike Tour 7 VIPs Cyclists Raising $1,000 or More Make an even bigger difference in the fight against MS by becoming a VIP. In appreciation for your hard work all VIPs will get special perks throughout the weekend including: VIP parking Luggage delivery directly to your room VIP credentials to wear throughout the Tour Special recognition throughout the weekend VIP tent at the finish line Special VIP jersey and other great prizes! See next page for fundraising levels and prizes. Entry into the TOP fifty club, a competition between two-chapters in which the top 50-fundraisers are recognized. Interested in becoming a VIP? There is still time, contact Lindsay (lindsay.mcfillin@ pae.nmss.org) for tips! Saturday Activities & Awards Ceremony Our Saturday finish line will be like no other! Invite family, friends and those who you are riding for to come enjoy the Saturday festivities with you! Enjoy talking with fellow cyclists from both the PA Dutch and the Central PA Chapter all while enjoying Amish-themed food and plenty of festivities! New for this year: enjoy a crisp cold Troegs beer at the finish line. On Saturday, July 21st we will gather at 7:30 p.m. in the Quad at Millersville University to recognize the outstanding teams, top fundraisers, volunteers, sponsors, alumni and many more who make the weekend a success! This year we will not be alone! We will be holding a joint awards ceremony with our Central PA Chapter s MS Bike Tour, so come mingle! Sunday Morning Breakfast starts at 5:30 a.m. and then you leave on your own. You can start the Tour between 6:30 and 8:00 A.M. to head back to your Saturday start locations! All cyclists must be on the road by 8 A.M. Sunday Finish Line Festivities! After finishing this great tour join the PARTY! Celebrate your achievement with a giant pasta dinner served to you by Javelin Caterers, a fun PA Dutch DJ, and a much-needed massage. Grab your T-shirt and bask in the joy of your accomplishment! Invite your friends and family along to cheer for you at the finish line! Take lots of pictures we ll post them on the Web site after the Bike Tour! Don t miss the Awards Ceremony on July 21st!
Fundraising Levels and Clubs 8 Elite Club Every cyclist that rides and raises $250 will receive a 2007 PA Dutch T-shirt. Raise between $300-$499 and receive a PA Dutch Sweatshirt $500-$749 PA Dutch Commemorative Jersey -OR- $30 Bike Line Certificate $750-$999 PA Dutch Commemorative Jersey and Shorts -OR- $50 Bike Line Certificate VIP Club VIP Status $1,000-$1,499 VIP Jersey, Shorts & VIP Golf Shirt -OR- VIP Jersey & $50 Bike Line Certificate $1,500-$2,499 PA Dutch Clothing Package*, VIP Massage -OR- VIP Jersey & $75 Bike Line Certificate Platinum Club VIP Status $2,500-$4,999 PA Dutch Clothing Package*, VIP Massage & $200 Bike Line Certificate Diamond Club VIP Status $5,000-$10,999 PA Dutch Clothing Package*, VIP Massage, Festina Watch & $200 Bike Line Certificate Mission Possible Club VIP Status Raise $1 for every local person who lives with Multiple Sclerosis $11,000 + PA Dutch Clothing Package*, VIP Massage, Festina Watch and a 3-day celebration getaway with the Tour of Champions (for top fundraisers across the country) * PA Dutch Clothing Package Includes: Sweatshirt, VIP Jersey, Cycling Shorts and Golf Shirt More questions? Contact me at Lindsay.mcfillin@pae.nmss.org
General Information 9 Bike Types You ll see road, hybrid, mountain, recumbent and tandem bikes on this Tour. Any type you re comfortable with is fine, but the most popular (and most comfortable for most cyclists) is the road bike. Expect challenging hills throughout the ride. Make sure you have a good variety of gears to make the hills a little easier. Luggage When you receive your Rider Number (see page 4), you ll get a corresponding luggage tag. Attach this to your overnight bag and drop it off at the Luggage Tent Saturday morning. We ll transport it to the finish line and bring it back on Sunday. Swimming Swimming is available at Millersville University at the Pucillo Pool. The pool will be open and lifeguards will be on duty from 1:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.. Appropriate attire required. Full Route Support We pride ourselves on the support we offer you! On the route, you ll find: Bike Line technical support for minor repairs; SAG (Support and Gear) for weary cyclists; Motorcycle Marshals for assistance at busy intersections; HAM radio operators for Tour communication; EMTs for any injuries; and Staff vehicles for moral and physical support Volunteering Encourage relatives, co-workers or friends to support you by volunteering. They can pass out food or drinks at the rest stops or help with registration. Are your kids in any school or civic groups? Would your office like to support its team? Call 1-800-445-BIKE or visit www.mscycling.org today. All volunteers receive a commemorative volunteer T-shirt. Weather PA Dutch happens regardless of the weather...be prepared for rain or (hopefully) shine. Bring garbage bags to protect your gear and line your suitcase with a garbage bag. You should also have a waterproof jacket or windbreaker with you. More questions? Contact me at Lindsay.mcfillin@pae.nmss.org
General Information 10 SAFETY* It s important to us that you enjoy a fun-filled, safe event. Please follow the rules below. We promise that by being a safer cyclist, you will set a good example to all those riding around you: Always wear a helmet - REQUIRED Never wear headphones Ride on the right, following the direction of traffic Pass on the left, ONLY after looking to make sure it s clear When passing, call out on your left Use hand signals when turning Glance back often; always before moving right or left Make eye contact with drivers before turning Don t follow cars or other cyclists too closely Pull completely off the pavement when you stop to rest Keep an eye out for road-edge hazards like trash or parked vehicles Watch out for loose gravel Cross railroad tracks at a right angle Be sure to thank the Ham Radio Operators, Motorcycle Marshals and other road support volunteers when you see them. They are helping to keep you safe! Safety and You...the keys to a successful Bike Tour!