CHALLENGE YOURSELF Bike MS Ride Checklist Pledge Envelope Helmet All weather gear/clothing Towel to shower with Cell Phone Sunscreen Bicycle Strong Desire to Create a World Free of MS! Bike MS - For cyclists and all those seeking a personal challenge and a world free of MS, Bike MS is the premier fundraising cycling series in the nation. With a choice of over 100 extraordinary rides nationwide, including four right here in Michigan, the Bike MS experience is the ride of your life. 2010 will be the 25 th anniversary of the Bike MS Ride in Michigan and during that time more than $15 Million has been raised by thousands of people from across our great state. This year the Michigan Chapter is excited that you have chosen to participate in the Bavarian Breakaway, the newest event in our ride series! Our goal is to offer four remarkable Bike MS Rides to raise $775,000 in support of the more than 18,000 people living in Michigan with MS. In 2009 the average fundraiser raised $744 to support our mission and improve the lives of people living with MS. For any rider raising over this amount in 2010 you will be inducted into our Above Average Club and be eligible for fundraising incentives including our custom designed prize jersey. ABOUT MS Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system that interrupts the flow of information between the brain and body, ultimately interfering with movement. MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn t. We help each person address the challenges of living with MS through our network of 50 chapters across the nation. We fund more MS research, provide more services to people with MS, offer more professional education and further more advocacy efforts than any other MS organization in the world. The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS.
HOW THINGS WORK Start / Finish Kern Pavilion: 601 Weiss Rd., Frankenmuth, MI 48734 Check-In: Opens at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25 th and Sunday, Sept. 26 th. Cyclists can begin riding at 7:00 a.m. (or as soon after 7 as it is light). In an effort to most effectively utilize our volunteers and provide the best route support possible we ask that all riders start no later than 7:30 am (or one half our after it is light). If you arrive after this time we will be happy to provide SAG assistance to catch you up to the other riders on the route. Proceed to the check-in table WITH A PLEDGE ENVELOPE (extras available at check-in) with your information completely filled out on the front, and any money you re turning in. All riders must check-in; however, you have until September 30, 2010 to turn in the remainder of your pledges. To make check in quicker for you, please: 1. Make sure that your name and address are printed clearly on your envelope. 2. Record the amount of money you are enclosing in your envelope even if it is $0. 3. Enter the amount you have already turned in online or by mail. 4. Record the amount you will send in by the pledge deadline, even if it is $0. (Remember, every rider MUST raise or turn in the minimum of $250 by the pledge deadline!) 5. Place any cash/checks you are turning in inside the envelope and seal it. 6. Give your envelope to the volunteer at the check-in table. FOR THIS RIDE ONLY: We are requesting that EVERYONE check in each day they participate and tell us what route length they plan to ride that day. Medical Forms: You are REQUIRED to fill out the entire medical form on the back of your rider number. For your safety and in case of emergency, YOUR RIDER NUMBER MUST BE PINNED ON YOUR OUTER CLOTHING, not your bike, and must be visible at all times while riding. Parking: Is available for the entire weekend in the lot across the street from the Kern Pavilion and on the north side of the building in the grass lot near the river. Important Note to Riders Under 18 and Their Guardian: All guardian signatures on waivers for riders under the age of 18 years old who are participating MUST be notarized. At check-in please ask to see our staff (who is a notary public) to receive the minors rider number and a copy of the waiver to fill out and sign. If you are the guardian of someone under 18 that will be riding on SUNDAY ONLY please call 517-646-0807 to make arrangements for the waiver to be notarized. ADVOCACY TAKE ACTION Join the movement, register in the Action Alert Network. Recognize your passion and ability to make a difference! Join individuals with MS and dedicated friends and family members to help positively shape the policies and programs that impact people living with multiple sclerosis. Members of the Action Alert Network are asked to write, call, e-mail or visit their legislators to support or oppose proposed legislation. Action Alert announcements are emailed about six times per year. Often a sample letters are included. Individuals are encouraged to join Action Alert to give us greater strength in numbers. Visit our website at nationalmssociety.org/mig and click Take Action for more information.
THE ROUTES Maps: will be provided at check-in and we encourage everyone to take one with them. One side provides an overview of the route and the other a detailed narrative with mileage. In addition should you get off the route at any time there are phone numbers to call and we will help to get you back on course or send a SAG vehicle to you. Route: The route opens on Saturday and Sunday at 7 am (or as soon as it is light). All routes close at 5 pm both Saturday and Sunday. Riders unable to meet the 5 pm cutoff will be SAGed forward so they can join in the festivities! CAUTION: There are several intersections along the route where the cross traffic will not stop. We ask that you please follow all the rules of the road and ride safely. Century Riders: The entrance to the Century loop closes at 11 am on Saturday and 12 pm Sunday. No rider will be allowed on the Century loop after these cutoff times. Please note that this is for your safety and that of other riders. Route Markings: It will be especially important to watch for route markings along the course as this is a new route for everyone. There will be signs with arrows and the National MS Society logo at the turns but you also want to be sure to watch for paint on the road that will indicate all turns. Everyone should begin the ride following the orange paint which will be used for the 75 miles route. If you plan to do a route distance other than 75 miles then you will begin to follow the paint color for your route ONLY after the turnoff (100 miles yellow, 50 miles blue, 30 miles green). Below are the symbols that you will see as you approach a turn, at the intersection and then again just beyond the turn. Left Turn Straight Right Turn OTHER IMPORTANT INFO: Thanks To Our Great Volunteers! While you re out enjoying the ride, don t forget to recognize our fabulous volunteers along the way the people helping you check-in on Saturday morning, the crossing guards at intersections, the bike mechanic fixing your tire, and the EMT helping you with the muscle cramps. The list could go on forever! And every one of them has taken their weekend to help us help you along the journey. Without them, the Bike MS Ride could not happen, so be sure to show them how much you appreciate their efforts! Reminders: Bring the following: helmet (mandatory), extra clothing, toiletries, rain gear, tire patch kit, tire removal tools, extra tube, identification, spending money, medication/medical tags, vitamins, bandages, an Ace bandage wrap, mosquito repellant, sunblock and a towel if you plan to shower Sunday after the ride.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Camping: Tent camping will be available at no cost to participants and volunteers on Friday and Saturday ngihts. Washrooms and a show truck will be on-site for your use the entire weekend. Hotels: A list of local hotels and campgrounds may be found on our website should you choose to make arrangements at your own expense. Please visit www.bikemsmi.org and then look under Rider Resources to obtain additional inforamtion. SATURDAY EVENING: Dinner: We are excited to share that the Frankenmuth Brewery will be providing dinner to all participants and volunteers starting at 6pm on Saturday night. They will also be featuring two selections of their fall beer for you to enjoy. If you have friends and family members that are not participating or volunteering but would like to attend we will be selling tickets for $10 (anyone over 21) and $5 (anyone under 21) and they may be purchased by contacting Tammy Willis at 517-646- 0807 or by email at Tammy.Willis@mig.nmss.org. Tickets may also be purchased the day of the event at the Kern Pavilion. Entertainment: Holland Entertainment will be providing music on both Saturday and Sunday. In addition the Zuckotones will be planning on Saturday evening from 6 9pm for your listening enjoyment. Beer: In order to comply with the State of Michigan liquor control requirements we also that you please have a photo id with you Saturday evening and do not take any alcoholic beverages outside of the Pavilion. Each participant/volunteer will be provided with two drink coupons for the evening as well anyone over 21 who purchases a dinner ticket. TEAM TENTS: We encourage everyone that is on a team to set up a tent at the event. It s a great place to wait for the other members of your team to finish the ride or to offer special treats to your members. If you would like to reserve a space or receive additional information please call 517-646-0807.
FUNDRAISING CLUBS Top 100: Each year we recognize the success of the events top 100 fundraisers by offering them perks such as a special Top Fundraising Jersey, a yellow bib number, VIP event parking and an invitation to our annual recognition reception. In 2009 the #100 fundraiser raised $1,270! Mission First Club: When you join the Mission First Club you are waiving your prize selection and your pledge money will be used for funding national research and local programming. In 2009 83% of the riders that qualified to receive a prize generously donated the cost back to the Michigan Chapter representing a savings of more than $26,000! Above Average: The National Bike MS pledge average is $744. We know our cyclists are not satisfied with AVERAGE so make that extra ask or send out an additional email so you can be ABOVE AVERAGE! Prizes & Incentives: Turn in at least $750 by the prize deadline of September 30 th and you will qualify to receive an incentive. Prize sheets will be emailed to you automatically after the pledge deadline if you qualify. KEEPING YOU SAFE: Helmets, Headphones and Cell Phones: Helmets are required at all times when riding the Bike MS Ride. NO HELMET MEANS NO RIDING. Headphones are not allowed on the tour. They impair your ability to hear critical road information and traffic sounds. Please reserve cell phone use for when you are at a rest stop do not talk while riding! Weather: Be prepared for any weather condition. In light and moderate rain, the tour will continue. In the event of severe weather - tornadoes or severe thunderstorms - MS staff, volunteers and medical personnel may stop the tour temporarily by holding you at rest stops until the storm passes or may call off the tour and provide transportation to the finish. MS officials will be in constant contact with the National Weather Service your safety is our number one concern. Private Support: Personal support vehicles are strongly discouraged. We ask that, for your safety and the safety of all riders, all private support vehicles use an alternate route to eliminate as much vehicular traffic as possible. Minors, Child Carrier Seats, and Trailers: All riders must be at least 12 years of age to participate in the Michigan Chapter Bike MS Rides. All riders 12 17 must provide a signed notarized waiver to the Chapter. There will be a notary public available at registration to sign waivers. All riders 12 17 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult (at least 21 years of age) at all times. An accompanying adult may not be responsible for more that one youth rider, and must accompany the youth at all times (e.g. if the minor needs to leave the route, the adult must leave the route with them). No trailers, child carriers, tag-alongs or any equipment attached to a bike for transporting children or pets are allowed at any time. Know the Lingo: On Your Left, this means that a rider is approaching on your left side. Please allow them room to pass. Car Back, means that a car is approaching from the rear. All riders must make an effort to get to the right side of the road in a single file line until the car passes. Ride Single File: Although Michigan law allows for two-abreast riding, remember that Michigan law was not written with large groups of riders in mind. Please ride responsibly!
DIRECTIONS TO THE START/FINISH Kern Pavilion - 601 Weiss Rd., Frankenmuth, MI 48734 From the South: Take I-75 North to the Birch Run Exit (#136) Turn Right on Birch Run Rd and Continue to Gera Rd. Turn Left on Gera Rd. and Continue to Jefferson St. Turn Right on Jefferson St. and Continue to Weiss Rd. Turn Left on Weiss Rd. and Continue to the Pavilion which is located at the end of the street. From the North: Take 1-75 South to the Bridgeport Exit (#144) Turn Left on Dixie Hwy. and Continue to Genesee St. Turn Left on Genesee St. and Continue to Main St. Turn Right on Main St. and Continue to Jefferson St. Turn Left on Jefferson St. and Continue to Weiss Rd. Turn Left on Weiss Rd. and Continue to the Pavilion which is located at the end of the street. Parking: Is available for the entire weekend in the lot across the street from the Kern Pavilion and on the north side of the building in the grass lot near the river. THANK YOU BIKE MS EVENT SPONSORS!