I Luv My Bike

Show us how much YOU ‘Luv your Bike’ on the Norco Performance Bike website. Gear up for a great ride on your Norco Bike and snap some cool pics. Submit it on our sponsor Norco’s website like Linda did after winning her Norco Bike at the Outdoor Adventure Show. You can also share your favourite story or memory about cycling in the RONA MS Bike Tours and have it appear on Norco.com for fellow cyclists to enjoy.

MS Friendly Bike Shops

Feeling a little rusty? Tired of people 'yanking your chain’ about getting in shape? Need to loosen up and get the gears turning again? Thanks to the RONA MS Bike Tour and our generous MS Friendly Bike Shops, you can quickly get your bike in shape so you can get in shape too!

Visit a MS Friendly Bike Shop early this year, let them know you’re participating in a RONA MS Bike Tour to help endMS and receive a FREE bike inspection! Plan an inspection now so you and your bike are well prepared for the Tours.

Visit us online to find an MS Friendly Bike Shop in your area.

Our generous MS Friendly Bike Shops provide other incentives and prizes for RONA MS Bike Tours participants:

• Receive MS Friendly Bike Shop Gift cards for your fundraising success
• Attend a Bike Shop Information Night at select shops, contact us for details
• Enter to WIN Scrambler draw prizes donated from MS Friendly Bike Shops
• Get tuned up with an MS Friendly Bike Shop mechanic before and en route at each tour

Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize!

The hard part is done! You have purchased your new bike and now it’s time to make it your own. Cycling accessories are something that appeal to everyone, from the technology fanatic who is looking for the newest, high-tech cycling computer to the recreational cyclist looking for a matching water bottle cage and helmet.



Below is a short list of a few items to consider when purchasing a new bike:

• Helmet (safety first!)
• Bell or horn (it’s the law in Ontario)
• Water bottle Cages
• Cycling computer
• Cycling shorts
• Front and rear lights
• A rack or basket
• A new seat

One important thing to consider is a different saddle, or seat. The number one complaint from cyclists is that they have an uncomfortable saddle. Just as every person is proportioned differently, every tush is built differently. In the past few years, the selection of saddles has increased immensely, offering saddles in different shapes, sizes and even gender specific ones. Some companies have even gone as far as creating a simple system to size a person for a saddle. Keep in mind that just as you have to break in a new pair of shoes you need to give your body a period of adjustment when you get a new saddle.

Whether you are riding a new bike or an old favorite at this year’s RONA MS Bike Tour, don’t forget to register before April 1st when the registration fee increases.

Enjoy your bike and keep on riding!

Fundraising Tip: Get Your Whole Neighbourhood Behind You!

Now that the weather’s getting warmer, put your fundraising for the RONA MS Bike Tours in full gear by holding a street party! Begin with a street-wide garage sale and a dinner to follow. Ask neighbours to contribute a food item for a pot-luck dinner, and suggest a donation of around $15. You can also hold a raffle to boost your fundraising even more (you can raffle off items from your garage sale!). This tip will really put the “fun” in fundraising!

Cycling Season is Fast Approaching!

The sun is coming out and there’s a cool breeze in the air. That can only mean one thing – cycling season is on its way! As we gear up for the Rona MS Bike Tours 2010, enjoy reading this story about a first time ride to get in the spirit of cycling.

First's
So I haven't always liked biking, well to be honest I had never thought of biking for pleasure. Until about 15 years ago. So there I was 15 years ago in the middle of my mid-life crisis, divorce, kids, mortgage blah blah blah and somewhere a bell went off (could have been a handlebar bell). “Hey, I should get a bike. A real bike. My first adult bike purchase.” So, off I go to the local bike shop in Grand Bend to buy myself an entry level Peugeot.

It was early spring, I remember. I had made a trip to All Season Sports and bought a pair of bike shorts, a helmet and some biking gloves. I was now set for my first great biking adventure. Up early on Saturday morning for my first ever bike ride for fitness. There were so many things I did not realize had to take place before my grand adventure. After spending 10 minutes trying to maneuver myself into spandex (which was a first I would like to forget) adjusting the seat height of my new bike, and making sure the tires had enough air in them, I was almost ready to go.

Not even on my bike yet and I am already to the point of exhaustion and frustration. I had planned on biking around town that day, just a leisurely ride to get used to being back on a bike. Well, my driveway is about 100 feet and that was my first ride. Yep, you read that right. I made it to the end of my driveway, and back. That was it. In fact it took longer to get my bike shorts on than the entire ride took. Distance of ride one: 200 feet. What have I done?! I am not a biker. That was evident with the gasp and wheeze of every breath I took and the shaky legs. Well if I am to be honest, I had a body that was in complete spasms wondering what the heck I had just done to it. It was rebelling and trying to make sure I never did this to us again. Well that was the start of it, and little by little I crept further and further from the house until I could measure my distance in miles rather than yards. That was the start of what eventually became a love of cycling – the freedom, the quiet, being alone in the sun and eventually cycling in the RONA MS Bike Tour. I would not trade in the bruises, the stitches, and the fabulous friends I have met over the last 15 years – all thanks to cycling and getting past the end of my driveway.
(Originally posted by k8)

Whether you will be riding for your very first time or have been cycling for years, now is the time to get in gear! Click here for details and to register for the RONA MS Bike Tours 2010. It will be a memorable, fun-filled experience and YOU will be making a difference in the movement to end MS.

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.