Welcome to New Rider Orientation! Official Healthcare Partner
Stay Updated! Read your E- newsle5er Need help? Email: bpms150@nmss.org @ BPMS150 Use #BPMS150 when posting on social media!
Program IntroducFons Why We Ride RegistraFon Fundraising Champions Bandana Program Packet Pick Up What to Expect Weekend of the Ride Finish Line Training/HydraFon/NutriFon Safety Bike Maintenance and Care Bike Safety InspecFon Q&A
What is mulfple sclerosis? Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. MS causes the destruction of myelin, resulting in the interruption of the flow of information within the brain, as well as between the brain and body. It is an unpredictable disease with no known cause. Symptoms Difficulty walking Dizziness and vertigo Poor balance and coordination Weakness and fatigue Visual impairment Cognitive (memory) problems Plus many more symptoms Who is diagnosed? Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with MS. MS affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide. The average age for diagnosis is between 20 and 50 years of age, with more than twice as many women diagnosed compared to men. In Texas, the National MS Society serves 254 counties and more than 68,000 individuals affected by MS, including more than 22,000 diagnosed with the disease
RegistraFon is Open! $100 RegistraFon Fee through January 31st $130 RegistraFon Fee beginning February 1 st Each rider must raise the required $400 minimum fundraising prior to picking-up a Rider Packet.
Fundraising Tips Set up and personalize your Participant Center page! Set a goal, reach it, and set a new goal! Email & Letters Customize your email and letters with a personal story-why you are raising money, why it s important to you and where the money goes. Use Social Media Update friends on your fundraising and provide a direct link to your fundraising page Visit the Fundraising section at www.bpms150.net for more information, tips and fundraising tools!
Fundraising Prize levels begin at $1,000 Average raised per rider for 2015 - $1,330 Superstar Fundraisers raise $1,500 or more Benefits include a special packet pick up, special rider number and special happy hour events throughout the year Raise $3,500+ to receive a Top Fundraiser jersey Club 300 is comprised of the top 300 fundraisers for the ride Benefits include a personalized rider number, VIP receptions event weekend, Priority start on Day 2 and much more.
Bike MS Champion! A great way to connect yourself to the mission. The Bike MS Champion program, underwritten by Noble Energy, connects a person living with MS with a cyclist. During the ride, each cyclist in the program carries an orange bandana in honor of his or her Champion with MS. This unique partnership fosters awareness, enthusiasm, and friendship.
Packet Pick Up Packet pick- up events provide the opportunity to pick- up your rider packet which contains: your rider numbers, official rider t- shirt, goodie bag and Bike MS Champion bandana. All registered riders must pick- up a packet prior to the ride Rider numbers are non- transferrable You MUST complete the Emergency informafon on the back of the bib prior to the ride Riders can turn in donafons at any packet pick- up event Underage riders must submit a Underage Waiver and Release Form. The Waiver and Release Form must be NOTARIZED Each rider must raise the required $400 minimum fundraising prior to picking-up a Rider Packet.
Ride Weekend Friday Houston BP MS 150 Expo - Omni Westside Hotel Official BP MS 150 Merchandise Final Packet Pick-Up Vendors Bike Stores VIP Reception Pasta Dinner Meet your Champion with MS Austin Weekend Parking Charter Buses to Omni Houston Westside ($35) Bike Transport to Houston (Tully Stadium Only)
Luggage and Bike Transport Day 1 complimentary transportation of luggage from Tully Stadium (Houston), Rhodes Stadium (Katy) and Waller Stadium (Waller) starts to the Overnight in La Grange. On Day 2 luggage will be transported to Austin for pick up near the Finish Line. To reserve transportation for your bike and/or charter bus transportation for yourself from Austin to an official start on Sunday a $35 fee is required. Transportation fees to be paid online at www.bpms150.net. ü Must use Official luggage tags ü Personalize your luggage! ü Pay bus transportation & bike transportation fee online in advance at www.bpms150.net
Day 1 Tully Stadium: 1050 Dairy Ashford Houston Route - 100 miles to La Grange Start time 6:45am Rhodes Stadium: 1733 Katy Fort Bend Rd Katy Route 83 miles to La Grange Start time 6:45 am Waller Stadium: 20735 Stokes Road Waller Route - 76 miles to La Grange Start time 8am-10am: Rolling Start Tips: v Arrive Early! v Secured parking v Remember where you start v Luggage trucks (team trucks vs. National MS Society trucks) v Money, credit card v Know where your team is located
Route Support Route Hours: Saturday: 6:45am 6:30pm Sunday: 6:45am 6:30pm The BP MS 150 is a fully supported by 3,500 volunteers! Ride Officials and event volunteers include: Ride Marshals Bike Police Bike Medics Motorcycle Marshals Medical Support Team Bike Store Support SAG (Special Assistance Group) HAM Radio Team Communications Green Initiative & Recycling Breakpoints
Ride Friendly Obey Law Enforcement personnel, ride officials, volunteers, residents & vehicle drivers Don t Litter! Obey all State & Local Traffic Laws Support the Local Communities Respect Private Property Use Provided Restroom Facilities ONLY Curb Inappropriate Language & Profanity
Breakpoints Breakpoints are rest stops for cyclists as they travel the routes. Breakpoints occur approximately every 10-15 miles. Available Services for Riders Hydration Stations Cytomax Energy Drink & Water Snacks Salty and Sweet Fruit Bananas and Oranges First Aid Official Bike Stores for Bike Repairs, Supplies & Accessories Restrooms & Portable Toilets SAG (Special Assistance Group) Recycle Please Dispose of Trash and Recyclables Separately
Lunch Day 1: Bellville Bellville City Park Day 2: Bastrop Bastrop Intermediate School Service Hours: 9 am - 3 pm ~ Lunch & Beverages Available Services for Riders Hydration Station First Aid Lunch (vegetarian option available) Official Bike Stores Restrooms and Portable Toilets SAG (Special Assistance Group) Shuttle School Buses to Fayette County Fairgrounds in La Grange Recycle Please Dispose of Trash and Recyclables Separately *If you have special dietary needs, it is recommended that you pack your own lunch to meet your specific needs.
Finish Day 1 LaGrange, Texas Secure Bike Storage Compound Luggage Storage Shower Trucks Massage Therapy - Sign up Early! Food & Beverages (vegetarian option) Concessions Entertainment Courtesy Shuttles to Showers, Hotels & Off-site Parking Bike Store Support and Retail Team tents: Fayette County Fairgrounds or Camp St. Mark s, RV, individual camping, Academy Tent village, Hotels First Aid VIP Reception Lights out 10pm Saturday and Lights on 4:30 am Sunday Off-site parking for friends & family with courtesy shuttles Fairgrounds is closed to the public
Day 2 6:45am Start Weather Permitting Fayette County Fairgrounds & Camp St. Mark s Rider Staging order: Riders Living with MS, Club 300 Platinum Safety Award Winners General Start Two Routes: Bechtel Challenge Route 77 Miles through Buescher and Bastrop State Parks & More Hills Genzyme Lunch Express- 66 miles along Hwy 71 Things to remember: Make your route decision early! Be patient
Finish Aus/n, Texas Load your Bike or Use the Bike Compound Pick-Up Luggage Shower Trucks Complimentary Meal & Beverages for Riders Meals & Concessions Available for Purchase for Friends & Family Charter Buses Back to Your Start Location ($35 Fee Payable Online) Completion Pins and Certificates VIP Reception First Aid Official BP MS 150 Merchandise Team Tents State Capitol Back Drop Photo Op Parking Off--site for friends and family VERY IMPORTANT: Load your Bike First! Visit Bubble Bistro! Know Your Team Tent Location!
Bubble Bistro Bubble Bistro, presented by The Bubble Bistro located at the finish line in Austin Offers cyclists the opportunity to meet the people they are riding for and offers those living with MS the chance to say thank you! Look for the Bubbles at the Finish Line!
Preparing for the ride Safe Cycling Challenge Online Safety Quiz is intended for educational purposes to increase a rider s knowledge and awareness of cycling safety. Group Riding Skills A hands-on course designed by the League of American Bicyclists to provide you with the principles of group riding so you can safely enjoy riding the BP MS 150 and other group rides Additional Safe Cycling Resources in the Safety & Training section of the BP MS 150 website: Ø Cycling Tips include tips for riding in wet weather, basics of riding in a group, helpful tips for etiquette on the route, information on bicycle laws and group cycling communication. Ø Bike Care Ø League of American Bicyclists Education has been the core activity of the LAB since the late 1970s. LAB is designed to work with experience levels ranging from brand new cyclists to experienced cyclists who want to refine their skills and teach others. Ø Bike MS Safety Brochure Ø Youth Riders Ø NHTSA Bicycle Safety Tips Video
Preparing for the ride Training and Conditioning Weekly Training Start with Low Mileage Gradually Increase Mileage Introduce Hill Training (midway) Gym/Cross- Training Spin Classes and Group Rides Team Training Rides Ask your Team Captain! Official Bike Store Rides BP MS 150 Recommended Rides visit www.bpms150.net *Refer to the New Rider Orientation handout for a 16 week Training Schedule (with 100 mile goal distance)
Bicycle Maintenance & Care ABC Quick Check A = Air B = Brakes C = Chain, Crank & Cassettes Quick = Quick Releases Check = Everything Else Additional Items & Knowledge Tires and Flat Repair Tools and Equipment
Bike Safety Inspection Bike Safety inspections for participants are not mandatory, but are strongly encouraged by the National MS Society to promote a safe BP MS 150. Bike Safety Inspections are performed by Official Bike Stores only. Once your bike passes the Safety Inspection, you will receive a BP MS 150 Safety Inspection Sticker to display on the stem of your bike With this sticker you are eligible for FREE labor (parts and materials are extra) if you need any mechanical repairs during the BP MS 150 Bike Safety Inspections start February 15, 2016 through April 8, 2016 at NO COST. April 9, 2016 through April 15, 2016, the safety inspection will be $15. Visit the BP MS 150 website for a list of Official Bike Stores
Questions & Answers