Registration

Fundraising

Cycling Information

Event Weekend

General Information

Q.  How do I register for the Bike MS Bay to Bay Tour?

A.  You may register online or mail in your registration form to: National MS Society, 5950 La Place Court, Suite 200, Carlsbad, CA  92008.  The tour is limited to 2,500 participants and registration will be closed upon reaching the maximum number of riders.  Therefore, mailed registrations are not guaranteed admission into the tour if received after registration closes.  To request a registration form be mailed to you please contact Jerry Russell at 760-448-8413. 

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A.   Registration fees are nonrefundable, nontransferable, and not applicable to the minimum pledge requirement.  All route options require the same registration fee.  Tandem riders are considered two individuals on one bicycle and each individual is required to register. 30 mile route participants do not require bus transportation.  The registration fees are: 

EARLY REGISTRATION FEES
(February, 2009 - May 31, 2009)
$50 Registration Fee
$70 Registration Fee AND Saturday transportation
$70 Registration Fee AND Sunday transportation

REGISTRATION FEES
(June 1, 2009 - September 30, 2009)
$60 Registration Fee
$80 Registration Fee AND Saturday transportation
$80 Registration Fee AND Sunday transportation

REGISTRATION AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2009*
*includes $400 fundraising minimum
$460 Registration Fee & Pledge Minimum
$480 Registration Fee, Pledge Minimum & Saturday Bus
$480 Registration Fee, Pledge Minimum & Sunday Bus 

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A.  The minimum age to participate in the Bike MS Tour is 12 years of age. All riders between age 12-17 must be accompanied by and adult (21 years or older) at all times, on and off the route.  If an underage rider is picked up by one of our support & gear (SAG) vehicles, the accompanying adult must stay with the underage rider. 

For our riders under 18 years of age (12-17), please download the child waiver and release form, fill it out, get it notarized, make a copy for your records and return it to our office. Any rider under 18 who has not returned their notarized waiver will not receive their rider packet at rider check-in and will not be allowed to participate event weekend. 

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A.  No registrations will be accepted the morning of the ride.  IF, AND ONLY IF, we have not reached our capacity of 2,500 and registration is still open, the final registration opportunity will be at our final rider check-In on Friday, October 09, 2009.

*All riders who register after September 30, 2009 will be required to provide donations meeting or exceeding the pledge minimum upon registration.

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A. Due to the limited spaces available on this Tour, you will be held responsible for the minimum pledge of $400 if you are unable to participate and do not give prior notice.  If you have registered for the event and are unable to participate, we ask that you please email Merri Hulet or call her at (760) 448-8419 prior to the event to avoid this fee.  Please note that once canceled, your rider number will be marked inactive.  Registrations are non-transferable.

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A.  Approximately two weeks prior to the event, we will host several rider check-in events throughout Southern California.  ALL riders will be required to attend one of our rider check-in events.  For out of area riders, we will hold a final check-in on Friday, October 09, 2009 at our host hotel.

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A.  You can start a team by visiting biketofinishms.com, clicking on Register Here and then selecting the option to Start a Team.  If you are already registered as an individual, you can contact TeamMS at 760-448-8408 and a team coach will help you start a team.

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A.  Yes!  If you won't be able to join us for the Bike MS Tour you can still participate and fundraise through our online Virtual Rider Program.  All you have to do is register (you can participate individually or join a team) and select "Virtual Rider".  Then you can start your fundraising to earn great prizes and help raise money in the fight against MS. Virtual Riders are eligible to be members of teams, earn fundraising prizes and are required to pay the registration fee and meet the fundraising minimum of $400.

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A.  Yes, to continue our efforts to find a cure for MS, every rider is required to raise a minimum of $400, even tandem riders (registration fees are not applicable).  All riders are required to fulfill the $400 fundraising minimum in order to check-in and receive their rider packet.  All route options have the same fundraising minimum of $400.

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A.  The National MS Society Tax Id # is 95-2633200.  Official 501c3 letters and W9 forms are available by request.

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A.  Once you register, you can start fundraising right away!  Start by customizing your web page to share your story of why you are participating.  Send emails to friends, family and co-workers asking them to support you.  Download your rider materials and forms from the Event Materials Download page!  Staff is also on hand to help you come up with new and creative fundraising ideas, you can contact the Bike MS Team at (800)486-6762.

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A.  Online fundraising is the key to success!  Studies show that fundraisers who solicit donations via email, Monday through Friday 9 AM - 5 PM, are more than twice as likely to receive contributions.

Donations not received online should be mailed to the NMSS at 5950 La Place Court, Suite 200, Carlsbad, CA  92008.  Please write the name of the participant on every check turned in.  You will also have an opportunity to submit donations in person at one of our rider check-in locations.

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A. When you see "offline donation" scrolling on your personal webpage that means a donor mailed a donation towards your fundraising efforts to our office.  To receive the donors contact information simply contact us at 800-486-6762 or msbike@mspacific.org.

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A.  As soon as possible. It's best to collect donations as soon as you can; remember that you are required to raise a minimum of $400 in order to ride.  Take advantage of our online donation feature and watch your donations grow!  If your sponsor gives you cash and wants a receipt, you can download receipts from our website or just call the Chapter at (800) 486-6762 and we'll send them to you.  Remember...you must raise the $400 fundraising minimum in order to pick up your rider packet. 

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A.  For sponsors who prefer to donate by check, make checks payable to the National MS Society or NMSS and be sure to put the rider's name and 2009 Bike MS Tour on the memo line of the check.

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A.  If you have money that is to be divided among two or more individuals, a donation distribution form must be completed and submitted with all donations that are to be distributed. All individuals listed on the form will be credited the amount indicated on the Donation Distribution form. Donations made online cannot be split.  If someone would like to make a credit card donation to be divided amongst two or more individuals, please contact Jenny Dittmore at (760) 448-8408. 

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A.  No. Funds cannot be transferred from one rider to another once the funds have been assigned to an individual online.  If someone would like to make a credit card donation to be divided amongst your team, please contact Jenny Dittmore at (760) 448-8408. 

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A.  To be recognized as a Top Fundraiser at the 2009 Bike MS Tour you need to raise $2,000.  You will receive a special Top Fundraiser jersey and VIP admittance for you and a guest to the Top Fundraiser tent at the overnight location where you will join other Top Fundraisers for complimentary appetizers and beverages.

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A. The Top 150 Fundraisers from the 2008 Bike MS Tour are now members of the 2009 150 Club. Members receive a commemorative gold rider number indicating their fundraising status (i.e. the TOP fundraiser in 2008 will be #1 at the 2009 Tour), and a variety of other special Top Fundraiser benefits including admission into the exclusive 150 Club Cabana and a commemorative 150 Club wearable.

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A.  Prizes are based on actual donations received by December 4th, 2009.

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A.  About 30% of funds raised at the Pacific South Coast Chapter are spent on national and international research projects to find the cause and cure for MS. About 50% of funds go directly to local programs and services to help people currently living with the disease. Fundraising and administrative costs account for the remainder.

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A.  No, this is a fun ride for all skill levels and it is not timed. Form a team with friends and/or family and enjoy an unforgettable day!

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A.  No, cyclists will be riding on the road alongside vehicles and pedestrians.  Participants are required to follow all rules of the road.  If a cyclists is seen breaking the law they will be pulled from the course.

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A.  Every rider will receive route slips with turn by turn directions for the route and the route will be marked with arrows to lead you.  Each rider will be provided convenient 8 1/2 by 11 1/2litter bags to carry in case there is a need to dispose wrappers and food debris between rest stops, keeping our route litter free.  Fully stocked rest stops will be provided every 10-15 miles.  Every rest stop has snacks, hydration beverages, mechanical support, an EMT, and portable bathrooms.  From Start to Finish, our Safety Crew provides additional support. 

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A.  When Bike MS Tour participants pick up their rider packets at rider check-in they will be assigned a start time to eliminate the wait time riders experience during the staggered start.  A staggered start releases 50 riders onto the route every
3-5 minutes.

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A.  The 30 mile route is a fully supported route that will start and finish on Saturday, October 10 in Carlsbad at our overnight location.  30 mile route participants are required to pay the registration fee and raise the $400 minimum. 

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A. YES!  Teams can consist of 30, 100/150-mile route participants.  Even Virtual Riders can be part of a team!  Saturday night at the overnight celebration in Carlsbad is a perfect time for teams to meet up and celebrate their accomplishments!

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A.  The Bike MS Tour offers one of the most challenging and scenic Century rides for experienced cyclists in California.  The Century Challenge adds an additional 50 miles to the route on Saturday through North San Diego County's beautiful backcountry, with a finishing stretch along the Coast to cool you down. Century riders ride 100 miles on Saturday and 50 miles on Sunday.

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A.  No, MS Bike Tour cyclists do not have to ride both days of the tour.  The participants are still required to pay the full registration fee and raise the minimum of $400.  If a participant decides not to ride on a particular day they are responsible for arranging their own transportation for themselves and their bicycle. 

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A.  Each participant MUST carry a current driver's license, state I.D. or student I.D., and insurance card with them at all times. Riders may be required to show their ID in order to pass through Camp Pendleton AND it is imperative that each rider is easily identified should an accident occur.  We also require each participant to submit emergency contact information upon registration.  This information will only be used if an accident occurs during the event.

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A.  All cyclists are required to wear helmets; it is a Bike MS Tour requirement.  Your safety is of the utmost importance to us.

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A.  No, for your own safety, Bike MS participants are not allowed to wear headphones while on the route.

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A.  Each 100/150-mile rider is allowed to bring ONE piece of luggage that will be tagged to correspond to your rider number. We ask that the bag be no heavier than 30 pounds since volunteers will be loading and unloading the luggage truck. Once you arrive at the start line, drop off your luggage at the truck labeled "Luggage Truck." Make sure that you have all belongings (Identification, bike supplies) that you plan on carrying with you before you hand your luggage to the volunteer.

Your luggage will be waiting for you in a designated area at the overnight location at the Westfield in Carlsbad. Please have your rider number bib handy for the attendants so they can quickly retrieve your bag for you.  On the morning of Day Two, drop off your luggage at the "Luggage Truck" and pick it up at the finish line
in Mission Bay. Please remember that you are responsible for your luggage as soon
as you arrive in Mission Bay.

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A.  We offer a secured overnight bike locker with 24 hour security guards at the overnight location, Westfield in Carlsbad.  The bike locker is a locked, fenced-in area in the parking lot with bike racks.  All riders will deposit and retrieve their own bicycles on these bike racks. We highly suggest that you take off any removable equipment as we are not responsible for lost or damaged items. The bike locker is locked from 6pm to 6am, during which time you will not have access, no exceptions!  All 30-mile participants must remove their bike by 6pm on Saturday night or they will not have access to it until 6am Sunday morning.  

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A.  All Bike MS Tour participants are responsible for coordinating their overnight accommodations.  Our overnight location provides the opportunity for riders to choose from several hotels and thousands of hotel rooms within seven miles.  Continuous shuttle service will be provided to and from the hotels listed on our site.  Shuttle service is ONLY provided to hotels listed on our preferred accommodations page!

There are a limited amount of camping sites available near our overnight location, however, shuttle service will not be provided to those sites.  South Carlsbad State Beach is the closest campground, but it books up quickly.  Click here for more information.

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A.  The Tour provides food and beverages along the route.  At every rest stop, there will be water, sports drinks and light snacks.  Lunch is served both days.  Dinner and breakfast will be served at the Carlsbad overnight location.  Friends and family can purchase meal tickets at our Information Booth located at all three sites.  While the rest stops are fully supported, all riders are encouraged to bring their own supply of bars, gels and sports drink.  If you have a special needs diet, please bring your own supply of snacks for the event. 

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A.  It is not allowed to rain for our bike tour...but if it does, the Bike MS Tour will take place rain or shine.

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A. Here's a helpful packing list of items you will want to bring with you on the ride.

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A.  Transportation service is available on Saturday morning from Mission Bay, San Diego to the start line in Irvine for those riders living in the San Diego and surrounding areas.  Please make sure to choose the registration fee that includes pre-event transportation service from San Diego to the start line in Irvine on Saturday, October 10, 2009, when registering.

Participants can add the transportation service up to October 1, 2009, if this option was not selected during the registration process.  The fee is an additional $20 and must be paid by credit card when this service is requested.  Please contact Merri Hulet at (760) 448-8419 or Randi Bretz at (760) 448-8418 to add the Saturday or Sunday transportation service to your registration.

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A.  Transportation service is available via luxury bus at the finish line in Mission Bay, San Diego for those riders that need transportation back to Orange County. Please make sure to choose the registration fee that includes transportation service from the finish line to Irvine on Sunday, October 11, 2009, when registering.

Participants can add the transportation service up to October 1, 2009, if this option was not selected during the registration process.  The fee is an additional $20 and must be paid by credit card when this service is requested.  Please contact Merri Hulet at (760) 448-8419 or Randi Bretz at (760) 448-8418 to add the transportation service to your registration.

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A.  If you are utilizing the transportation service on either Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon, your bike will be wrapped, padded, and secured in an Ace Relocation Systems moving van and transported separately.  Rider numbers must remain on the bike for transportation.  The National MS Society does not take responsibility for bikes placed on the moving vans.  Please take this into consideration when putting your bike on the van.

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How do I volunteer?
What if I have more questions?

BACK TO TOP

A. The Bike MS Tour is a great opportunity for people to come together outside of work and school or to change up your daily routine!  This year we are recruiting more than 1,000 volunteers for the Bike MS Tour. To register as a volunteer visit the Volunteer Information link on the Bike MS Tour website.

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A.  For more information, contact the Pacific South Coast Chapter at (800) 486-6762 or msbike@mspacific.org and we will be happy to assist you.

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