Don't Miss Out on the Early Bird Deadline!

Choose a Tour, choose a distance and register for the RONA MS Bike Tours! On April 1st, 2010, the registration fees for the RONA MS Bike Tours will be going up. Don't miss out on the reduced registration fees. Register now to cycle to end MS.

The MS Society Honours International Women's Day

March 8th marks International Women’s Day (IWD). Worldwide, this day celebrates the achievements of women throughout history and across nations. IWD honours mothers, sisters and daughters and we at the MS Society of Canada would like to take this opportunity to show our appreciation to women everywhere for your continued support and generosity. The first International Women’s Day started in 1911. Almost 100 years later we continue to recognize women and press for equality. Thank you to all the women who have volunteered their time, fundraised in support of a cure, and who have joined us in the fight to end MS.

Louis Garneau Limited Edition Jersey On Sale!

Support the MS Society of Canada in style! Buy a Louis Garneau Special Limited Edition Pro-fit jersey for only $70 - regular retail price is $89.99. Men's and ladies sizes are available and proceeds support the MS Society. For more information, or to purchase a Limited Edition Louis Garneau jersey please contact Candice Stevens at candice.stevens@mssociety.ca or 416-922-6600, ext. 3171.

Acton to Waterloo: New Start Location, Same Great Tour!

We are excited to announce that the start location of the Brampton to Waterloo Tour has changed. The Tour will now start in Acton!

Why you should ride from Acton to Waterloo:

• Fewer hills will provide you with a more enjoyable ride
• Distance is now 150K (over two days), with an optional extension at The Brian Carrigan Challenge Loop, where riders can complete 100K on the first day of the ride
• Encircled by a pond and located in the town, the start location has new facilities, including accessible washrooms
• Ride surrounded by breathtaking scenery
• An overnight stay at the University of Waterloo facilities is included (same as previous years)

Experience the new Acton to Waterloo RONA MS Bike Tour. From start to end, a new enjoyable ride to end MS! For more information or to register for the Acton to Waterloo Tour click here.

*Route maps will be made available at event day.

Tips to consider when buying a bike

With spring just around the corner, many excited cyclists are dreaming about a new bike. The hard part is how to find the perfect one.

What kind of bike should I get?

This is often the most difficult decision a cyclist has to make! Start by asking yourself a few questions, such as:

• Where are you planning on riding most often? Is it likely to be a bike path? A dirt trail?
• What type of distances do you plan on riding?
• Who will you be riding with most frequently? Are they an advanced rider or not?

The most important thing when answering these questions is to be honest with yourself and be realistic about your expectations. Doing so will ensure the bike you purchase is ridden regularly and doesn’t collect dust in the garage.
Below is a brief description of the four main categories of bicycles.

Comfort Bikes
For those looking for a leisurely ride, comfort bikes have a more relaxed riding style. They provide an upright riding position, 26-inch wheels much like a mountain bike, and smooth or semi-smooth tires. Comfort bikes typically incorporate features, such as, front suspension forks, seat post suspension with wide plush saddles, and handlebars designed for easy reach while riding in an upright position.


Hybrid Bikes
A hybrid bike combines features from a traditional road bike with those of a mountain bike. Hybrids are all-purpose bikes that are great for commuting and riding on a variety of surface types (pavement, hard packed dirt, gravel, etc.). A hybrid will have a straight bar, like a mountain bike, allowing the rider to be more upright, which is great for riding in the city or commuting. The larger wheel diameter with a smooth tire, like a road bike, offers its rider speed and the thicker rim offers more stability and strength than a traditional road bike wheel. Some hybrids offer a small amount of suspension in the front fork which adds to the rider’s comfort.


Mountain Bikes
Depending on your off-road needs, there is a huge selection of mountain bikes to choose from. These bikes usually utilize wide, knobby tires for improved traction on uneven terrain and shock absorption. In the current market, front wheel suspension has become the standard, as well as full front and rear suspension becoming increasingly common.


Road Bikes
Often referred to as “racing bikes” or “21-speed bikes,” road bikes have drop handlebars and usually have multiple gears. Single gear road bikes and fixed gear road bikes are a niche market in the cycling community. They also use narrow, high-pressure tires to decrease rolling resistance. These bikes tend to be lighter than other types of bicycles but are not suited for varied terrain.



What size bike should I get?
For the best fit, consult your local bike shop or one of the many shops that support the MS Society and the RONA MS Bike Tour in Ontario. A basic rule of thumb, when looking for the appropriate sized bike, is to have a couple of inches between yourself and the crossbar when you straddle the bike.

This is a very basic guideline. Every person has different proportions and, because of this, a larger or smaller sized bike may be needed to accommodate the cyclist. Just as clothes often need to be custom tailored, so do bicycles. Most reputable bike shops offer a basic fit included with the purchase of a bike, and more in-depth fits at a cost to the customer.

Come back later next week to learn more about accessories.

Team Up and Be Rewarded in Style

More team members, more fun, more prizes! Invite colleagues, friends and family to join your team at one of the RONA MS Bike Tours in 2010 and celebrate in style with great rewards:






5 NEW MEMBERS a magnetic framed team photo for each member on event day

10 NEW MEMBERS a team tent at the TeamMS Village

15 NEW MEMBERS your team name printed on your team's RONA MS Bike Tour t-shirts*

20 NEW MEMBERS a registered massage therapist in your tent exclusively for your team*

Recruiting team members may be easier than you think! Visit www.teamms.ca for tips on fundraising and recruitment.

*New members must be registered one month prior to the Tour for the team to be eligible for this prize.

To qualify as a new member, riders must be first-time participants in an Ontario Rona MS Bike Tour.

Watch the New MS Walk Video!

Watch "Every Step Matters" for an inside peek at what the MS Walk is all about! Hear from some of the 60,000 participants, in Ontario alone, whose steps have helped make a difference in the fight to end MS! Walkers and volunteers will tell you why participating in this event is so important in the fight to end MS.

There’s just two months to go until the MS Walk. Share the video with your network and register today to start fundraising for the 2010 MS Walk!

Don't forget to register to ride with us in the RONA MS Bike Tours 2010! Register today for a Tour and start fundraising! Visit the MS Society website for more details!