NEW MS Bike Tour - Prince Edward County

We are thrilled to announce that there is a new addition to the 2012 MS Bike Tour. Gear up for the first annual Prince Edward County Tour in Picton, Ontario and ride the picturesque trail across Prince Edward County on July 8, 2012. We look forward to kicking off the 2012 MS Bike Tour with this new addition!

Enhanced Online Fundraising System for MS Bike Tour

Check out the enhanced online fundraising system at http://www.msbiketours.ca! Now making it even easier to be a part of the 2012 MS Bike Tour in Ontario, you are just clicks away from registering, creating your personal page and getting a head start on fundraising. New features include the ability to create your own personal fundraising page, post a photo or video, monitor and share your fundraising progress and much more. Get geared up for the 2012 MS Bike Tour and for the three Canadians diagnosed with MS every day. Together, we will end MS.

Choose to ride at any of the six Tour locations:

Prince Edward County: July 8 NEW!

Grand Bend to London: July 28 - 29

Ottawa: August 11-12

Acton to Waterloo: August 18 – 19

Niagara: August 26

Toronto: September 9

Cycling Shoes Suggestions

Any shoes can be worn while cycling, although there are many specially designed shoes that can provide advantages for cyclists looking to achieve a more efficient energy transfer while pedaling. Traditional cycling involves the use of flat pedals, but more consistently we see many cyclists with their feet locked to their bike, whooshing by. This is possible due to “clipless” pedal systems, which is usually considered by advanced cyclists as it allows a more efficient and less tiring ride. And for this type of system specialty cycling shoes are required.

Cycling shoes differ from basic athletic shoes as they feature stiffer soles in order to protect your feet from surrounding objects, while supporting the full length of the foot to reduce fatigue and cramping. These shoes are matched with a corresponding pedal in order to keep feet secured to the bicycle, offering improved control and decreased energy loss while pedaling.

For more information on shoes that may be the best for you, visit http://bit.ly/sxVHAD

Helmet Help

Helmets have greatly evolved over the years; they have become ultra-lightweight and are now sporting added ventilation and more sleek designs. Helmets come in three styles to correspond with the kind of cycling you prefer, though any helmet can be worn interchangeably as the most important feature of a helmet is to protect your head from injury.


Road Bike Helmets: Lightweight, plenty of ventilation, and sleek aero dynamic design.

Mountain Bike Helmets: Provide added features for protection from trailside obstacles, offering more protection at the back of the head and a visor.

Sport Helmets: Worn by both road and mountain bikers as well as inline skaters.

Like a shoe, helmets come in various sizes and should fit you properly to ensure safety. The fit of your helmet is crucial in the protection of your head. To find an appropriate fit, measure the circumference of your head with a flexible measuring tape or ribbon. Most helmet packaging will provide the measurements of the helmet, because what you are looking for is a snug fit.

Visit http://bit.ly/1AzUPQ to watch a video about finding the right helmet fit.

The Inline Skater

The 55 kilometer ride can be difficult for some people. Everyone faces the challenge in their own way. Some train extensively for the weeks and months leading up to the ride, while others practice how to keep hydrated and pack an array of protein shakes and power drinks for the tour. While some believe finishing is the goal, others know that attempting the bike tour is success in itself. Alain Quintard is always up for the challenge, but his experience is a little different…he participates in the bike tour on inline skates.

Alain first bladed his way to the finish line in 2004, when the RONA MS Bike Tours was still the RONA MS Bike and Inline Skating Tour. An avid skater, he jumped on the opportunity to participate as it allowed for a longer skating time with well-stocked check points. What initially began as a hobby became a mission for personal reasons.

“I had a chat with our friend’s daughter who is affected by MS,” Alain said. “She was telling me a little bit more about some of the challenges. So I’m not ready to stop, not when I know some people are struggling like that.” This year, Alain, a local Toronto resident, participated in his eighth MS Bike Tour. In total, he has raised approximately $40,000 for multiple sclerosis.

Cycling Tips to Keep You Safe

Cycling is a multifaceted sport. There are many obstacles that affect a cyclist’s ability to ride - vehicles and pedestrians; weather conditions and; unpredictable terrain. Here are a number of tips you can use in preparation for an event!


Breaking - When approaching a quick stop, make sure you firmly press the breaks and move your bottom to the very back of the bike seat. This decreases the chances of flipping over the handlebars.

Downhill – Refrain from holding your breaks for extended periods of time. This can cause the tires to overheat and lead to a blowout. Instead, periodically tap your breaks lightly.

Uphill – Shift gears to keep a normal tempo. You can also conserve energy by staying in your seat.

Night/Poor visibility – Always wear bright colored and reflective clothing. You should also use a headlight and other bike light accessories to increase your presence on the road.

Pedaling – Avoid pedaling in high gears for long periods of time, as this can escalate pressure on your knees and can lead to injury. Switching to lower gears allows for faster revolutions and adds more to your exercise without straining your knees. The best pace for most cyclists is 60 to 80 rpm.


 
    For more cycling tips visit: http://bit.ly/vsAqX0

Tenth Annual MS Research Teleconference, featuring Dr. Anthony Traboulsee

 Dr. Traboulsee has treated people with MS for over 13 years, has been principal investigator for over 30  studies, and has published widely on MS in peer-reviewed journals

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is excited to announce the tenth annual MS Research Teleconference taking place on Thursday, May 31st from 6:00pm to 7:30pm, Eastern Time.


This year’s guest speaker will be Dr. Anthony Traboulsee, a leading MS neurologist. Dr. Traboulsee is the director of the UBC Hospital Clinic and Clinical Trials Research Group, as well as President of the Canadian MS Network of Clinics.

Call in for free to hear a short presentation followed by a moderated question-and-answer period. Ask questions about MS research and listen to answers from one of Canada’s leading MS experts.

What’s new in progressive MS research?
What are the risks and benefits of oral therapies?
What is the latest on Vitamin D research?
CCSVI: what do we know and what do we still need to find out?
Is there still promise in myelin repair?

How to register:
1. Click here
2. Call 416-922-6600 or 1-866-922-6065 ext. 3177

Submit your question:

• When you register online

• By email: teleconference@mssociety.ca

• Via Twitter or Facebook

The Best Bike for you

Purchasing a bike can be a large commitment that requires a lot of thought. Buying a bike for the first time can be overwhelming, so here are a couple of pointers to steer you in the right direction.


First, you need to decide whether you will be using the bike for off-road or on-road cycling, or both.

Road bikes: Are designed for riding on paved streets, they allow you to travel fast and are used to travel long distances.

Mountain bikes: Feature wide tires designed to handle rugged terrain. Mountain bikes tend to be less expensive and offer a more comfortable riding position than road bikes.

Hybrid bikes: Blends the features of both road and mountain bikes together into a bike that is tough, comfortable and fast, and is ideal for cycling on streets and bike paths.

Helpful hint- When riding, protect your knees from injury by positioning your seat correctly and by pedaling at a pace you are comfortable with.

Maintaining your Chain

Just like a car, your bike needs regular maintenance to promote proper functionality. Your bikes chain keeps everything moving just like our heart beat keeps our body moving. The chain is also the part of your bike that takes the majority of wear and tear. This is why it is important to keep your chain in pristine condition and clean your chain regularly. The dirt that gets caught in your chain can cause your chain to wear, affect the flexibility of individual chain links and interfere with changing gears.

Cleaning your bike is simple, before you ride, make sure to look at your chain and rotate your pedal slowly backwards, keeping an eye out for dirt buildup, rust and tight links. To get rid of any buildup, brush out links with a tooth brush and re-lubricate your chain to decrease the buildup of dirt and maintain the chains durability. Lastly, wipe off any extra lubricant and off you go!

We want to hear from you! Visit RONA MS Bike Tours on Facebook to take our poll!

Bicycle of the Future

The future of cycling is here! Cyclists will be able to control their bicycle’s gear shifts with their minds! Made from carbon fiber, the bike designed by Parlee, has a sleek looking frame, but the real magic is changing the gears with brain waves. Here’s how it works: The cyclist has to train and practice with an iPhone app, moving a cube on its screen, until the neural technology associates a thought with the neurotransmission. Once the link is made, all the cyclist has to do is use their training to think in the proper manner and the bike’s gears will shift accordingly. To facilitate the process, the rider would also wear a special helmet, outfitted with proper censors to control the bike. The iPhone attaches to the handlebars to make it possible to change the gears. Here is some more information about the Bicycle of the Future and be certain to check out this video that explains all about it; http://on.mash.to/nwJFep

Helmets off to the 2011 Tour of Champions!

Our helmets go off to the eleven Tour of Champion cyclists who are riding in the Jack Daniel’s “Bike to Jack and Back” Bike MS in Tennessee this weekend. The 2011 Tour of Champions is a group of RONA MS Bike Tour top fundraisers from across the country who have raised an astonishing $10,000 dollars or more in 2010, and chosen this as their fundraising prize.

This dedicated group of fundraisers, including Scott Davis and Barry Travnicek from Ontario will unite in Franklin, Tennessee where they will ride October 1-2 to their final destination – Lynchburg, Tennessee. We wish all the cyclists a safe and exuberant journey! Thank you for helping us in the fight to end MS.

The 2012 Tour of Champions, Cape Cod Getaway will take place June 23-24, 2012 from Boston to Provincetown, Massachusetts. Become a top fundraiser and join this illustrious group of cyclists. For more information please contact Lori Anne McNulty at Lorianne.McNulty@mssociety.ca.

Boom in Customized Bikes

There has been an increase in the popularity of bicycling for both recreation and sport which has made customized bikes attractive to serious and occasional riders. Although these bikes may make your wallet a little lighter, many find great advantages to owning a customized bike. Customized bikes are created to fit the form of your body and riding style which lengthens the life of your bike, causing less wear and tear. Some find that mass produced bikes can be uncomfortable and less functional compared to a bike that fits their needs and anatomy.


Customized bikes also allow for freedom of expression. The aesthetics can be quite creative; you can set your bike apart from the crowd by adding creative design and colors of your choice to match your style!


It is now much easier to find custom bike manufacturers as their demand grows. Many custom manufactures make it easy for their customers to design the bike of their dreams by offering websites that provide them with countless options. If you have a custom bike share a picture of it with us on Facebook!

The RONA MS Bike Tour 2011 has reached the Finish Line in Ontario

The RONA MS Bike Tours – 2011 in Ontario, made its last stop at the Toronto tour on September 11th, and we are excited to report that more than 3900 participants raised over 2.55 million during this summer’s five bike tours. The results are outstanding and it would not have been possible without the hard work and support from our organizers, volunteers and participants who help in the fight to end MS.


All five tours - Grand Bend to London; Ottawa to Kemptville; Acton to Waterloo; Niagara and; Toronto, brought participants of all ages and skill levels together for one common goal - to end MS. We want to thank everyone involved for making this year’s bike tour a memorable one. We look forward to seeing you in 2012!



Photo from the Grand Bend to London Tour 2011

Want a recap? Check out this video link from our Grand Bend to London tour!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZLWY8nwXA8

A beautiful ending with the RONA MS Bike Tour - Toronto

We couldn’t have asked for better weather to help wrap up the RONA MS BIKE Tour - 2011. This past Sunday was the last stop of the bike tour in Ontario where participants, volunteers and supporters were in high spirits, making the ride a memorable one. We would like to extend our deepest thanks to all those who joined us this Sunday. Your support is always appreciated and your help truly makes a difference in the movement to end MS.

RONA MS Bike Tour- Toronto this Sunday!

Gear up and come cheer on your friends and family at the RONA MS Bike Tour - Toronto this Sunday, September 11, 2011 for the last stop of the Ontario tour!

The event kicks off at Centennial Park in Etobicoke, at 9:30 a.m. and participants will travel along scenic trails before ending back at the park. We are so proud of all of our participants, supporters and volunteers as they help us move closer to ending MS. See you all there!

                         

Happy Labour Day Weekend!

Labour Day weekend has been celebrated on the first Monday in September since the 1880s. What started as a parade in support of the Toronto Typographical Union's strike for a 58-hour work-week has over the years become an opportunity to take a late summer trip to a country cottage or to enjoy the company of family at a picnic, fair or festival. Unfortunately it is also the unofficial end to the Canadian summer, so we encourage you to get out there and enjoy the warm weather while it lasts.

We here at the MS Society of Canada want to wish everyone an amazing, safe and fun long weekend!

Niagara was a Great Success!

This past weekend was the RONA MS Bike Tour – Niagara. There were over 600 cyclists who cycled through the beautiful Niagara region, and helped raise over $400,000 dollars! Cyclists arrived early on Sunday in great spirits and excited to get on the road! The weather held up as long as it could, and even though there was a little rain near the end of the ride, everyone had a great time and finished strong! We would like to thank all the participants, the enthusiastic staff, and the hard working volunteers, whom we couldn’t have done it without!

Gear up for our next event, the RONA MS Bike Tour - Toronto on September 11 where we hope to see the same amount of enthusiasm we have seen during this summer’s previous tours in our fight to end MS!

A&W Cruisin' for a Cause

Thursday August, 25 will mark the third annual A&W Cruisin’ for a Cause Day!  One dollar from each Teen Burger sold, will be donated to support the MS Society of Canada’s mission to help end multiple sclerosis.

If you RSVP to the event on Facebook, A&W will donate an additional 50 cents.  Additionally, they will also donate another 50 cents if you tweet using #CruisinForACause on Twitter.

New to this year’s event is the option of donating five dollars to the MS Society by texting MS to 45678 from your mobile phone!

So please show your support by participating in Cruisin’ for a Cause in any or all of the easy ways listed above! Find the closest A&W location near you!

Niagara is this Sunday!

The RONA MS Bike Tour 2011 - Niagara is this Sunday! We can’t wait to get out there and enjoy this great event with all the cyclists and volunteers involved! We would like to wish everyone participating in the tour a safe and fun ride!

Check out the pre-event newsletter; http://bit.ly/ou01WF where you will find all the information you need to get ready.

Or the website, if you need any last minute information; http://bit.ly/pZpiiE

Best of luck to all participants, supporters, and volunteers!

Acton to Waterloo was a Big Success!

This past weekend was the RONA MS Bike Tour – Acton to Waterloo. There were over 467 cyclists who rode from Acton to Waterloo and back again, and helped raise $300,000 dollars! On Saturday, participants set off from Prospect Park, Acton and rode to the University of Waterloo. After an evening of festivities including a beer garden, dinner, and ceremonies, they rode back to Acton on Sunday, cycling a total of 150 km over the weekend. We would like to thank all the participants, the enthusiastic staff, and the hard working volunteers, whom we couldn’t have done it without!

Gear up for our next event, the RONA MS Bike Tour - Niagara on August 21 where we hope to see the same amount of enthusiasm in our fight to end MS.

Acton to Waterloo 2011

The RONA MS Bike Tour 2010 - Acton to Waterloo is tomorrow! We would like to wish everyone participating on Saturday, August 13th, and Sunday, August 14th, a safe, enjoyable ride.

Check out the pre-event newsletter; http://bit.ly/pre-event

Or the website site for any last minute questions; http://bit.ly/nQAtOc

Best of luck to all participants, supporters, and volunteers!

Bicycle Blogs

Gearingup.ca is your one stop shop for information related to the RONA MS Bike Tours and we also try to cover topics relevant to the cycling community in Ontario. There are numerous other bike blogs out there, each with their own niche in the biking community. We would know, we’re always reading them! Here are a few that deserve a mention:

• Bicycle Design. This is the perfect blog for those interested in the newest and coolest trends in bicycles. All types of bicycles are written about on this blog, from high-end road bikes, to mountain bikes, and even unique and just plain weird designs. http://bicycledesign.net/

• Commute By Bike. If you commute to and from work on a bike, then this site is for you. The writers are very convincing, encouraging those who don’t commute to really think about it. You’ll find all the tips, news, reviews, and safety advice a bike commuter would ever need. Their bike and product review is one of the most extensive we have ever seen! http://www.commutebybike.com/

• Biking Toronto. If you live in Toronto, or are visiting, and want information about cycling in the city, then this is the site for you. It is the city’s largest and most popular bike blog, and focuses not only on biking being a competitive or recreational activity, but also a mode of transportation. http://bikingtoronto.com/

• Take the Lane. Bill Bean is a biking advocate who writes about what he knows, “…if the gas-burning dinosaurs start to crowd you, it’s your road and you paid for it. Take the lane for yourself!” Bike related news and personal stories from all over Ontario can be found on this blog. http://therecord.blogs.com/take_the_lane/

 Enjoy and don’t forget to check back here for the latest on the upcoming RONA MS Bike Tours!

Grand Bend to London a Huge Success!

This past weekend was the kick-off to our RONA MS Bike Tour season. There were over 1,850 cyclists who rode from Grand Bend to London, setting a new participant record for the event and raised a staggering $1.125 million dollars! Through the humidity and heat, the cyclists rode their hearts out and made us all extremely proud of them. We would like to thank all the participants, volunteers, whom we couldn’t have done it without, and the staff on a successful weekend!

Gear up for our next event, the RONA MS Bike Tour - Acton to Waterloo on August 13-14. We hope to see the same amount of enthusiasm and heart as we saw in Grand Bend to London in our fight to end MS. 

Predict The Weather!

Weather; it can make your day or ruin it. You can talk about it with people you’ve never met before or with someone you’ve known for years. What would we do if we didn’t have the weather to talk about? One of the most important aspects of having a successful and fun RONA MS Bike Tour is knowing how to equip yourself for the weather on the day of the ride. Why would you want to leave something so important up to the people on TV who seem to be wrong more than they’re right?  That’s why we want to give you a leg up on Mother Nature and share with you some ways of predicting the weather, methods that have been used for thousands of years!

• Wind (do not attempt while riding your bike). Easterly winds can indicate an approaching storm, westerly winds the opposite. Strong winds indicate high pressure changes which can also be a sign of an incoming storm.

•  ‘Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning'. Red sky at night means dry air is heading towards you, red sky in the morning indicates there is a low pressure system carrying moisture on its way.

• Trees. Pine cones remain closed if the humidity is high, which tends to precede heavy rain. If the pine cones are closed, that indicates dry air. Oak and maple tree leaves curl in high humidity.

• The grass. Before you head to the starting line check the grass. If it’s dry, that can indicate that clouds or strong breezes are on the way, which can mean rain is also on the way. If the grass has dew on it, chances are it won’t rain that day.   source (http://bit.ly/bENEjO)

Remember to check the weather before you take part in the RONA MS Bike Tour so you know how to prepare yourself for the ride. Use some of the tips above as an added feature to the weather reports you find online or on the news channel. As the great Bob Dylan always said “you don’t need a weather man to know which way the wind blows.”

On the Road: An Info Night

Do you think it’s possible to change a bike tube in 30 seconds? Come out to On the Road: An Info Night on July 20, to find out. Paul, the owner of Van de Velo bike shop, will explain everything you need to know to keep you and your bike on the road during the RONA MS Bike Tour. This fun and informative session will start at 6:30pm at Van de Velo (2828 Kingsway Drive, Oakville).

Bring your team as well as family and friends to learn about correct bike repair, proper nutrition, and see a fantastic demonstration on how to change your bike tube like a pro! Cyclists who are signed up for the RONA MS Bike Tour, with proof of registration, will receive 10% off all purchases at the shop this night!

Haven't signed up to ride yet? Register today for one of five RONA MS Bike Tours in Ontario!

Take Off That Hat!

This is the year that the RONA MS Bike Tour from Grand Bend to London could be the largest in all of Canada! And if it is, Lori Anne McNulty can finally take off the cowboy hat that she’s been wearing at every bike tour since 2006. But wait! You haven’t heard the story of Lori Anne and her Western headwear? Let me tell you!

The RONA MS Bike Tour from Leduc to Camrose had 1,906 riders on June 11 and 12 and the Grand Bend to London tour is nearing 1,800 and growing. Register your friends! Register your neighbors! Grow your team so Lori Anne will take off that hat!

The RONA MS Bike Tour from Leduc to Camrose in Alberta, the largest bike tour in Canada, used to double and triple the number of participants that the Grand Bend to London tour registered. That is until 2005 when our tour gave the Albertan tour a run for their money. These two mega-tours have been competing ever since!

It was around this time that the hat made its first appearance.

In 2006, Lori Anne McNulty, the Senior Manager and National Advisor at the MS Society, put on a cowboy hat, a symbolic reference to the Albertan cowboys that were beating our tour (which also conveniently shaded her eyes). The promise? The year that the Grand Bend to London tour surpassed the Leduc to Camrose tour, she would take off that hat!

The Grand Bend to London tour has continued to trail the Leduc to Camrose tour, but each year it gets closer and closer and in 2009, it was only 75 participants away from surpassing the Albertan tour!

Could this be the year?

Let’s KNOCKOUT MS!

Knockout MS is a boxing fundraiser where all proceeds, ticket sales and sponsorships, will be donated to the MS Society of Canada. Funds raised at the event will be put towards the fundraising efforts of the Waterloo Regional Police’s 10-member bike team, who will be participating in the RONA MS Bike Tour in Niagara on August 21. All participating boxers are officers from the Peel Region, Greater Toronto Area, and Waterloo, and are registered with Boxing Ontario. The event takes place on Friday, July 22 at the Waterloo Regional Police Association and Recreation Centre at 1128 Rife Road in Cambridge. Come watch some exciting boxing matches, support a great cause, and together we can KNOCKOUT MS!

For more information about purchasing tickets, event details, and for profiles of the boxers, head over to the KnockoutMS official website; http://www.knockoutms.ca/

Reel and Deal!

The fourth annual Reel and Deal event to benefit the MS Society takes place this Thursday, July 7, in Port Perry. Pro fisherman, generous sponsors, and guests get together to raise money to end MS. It will be an action packed day of fun for the whole family! There will be fishing, great food, poker, and all for a great cause! Last year’s event raised $65,000 to support MS Research and Client Services in the Markham/Stouffvile, York North, and York South Chapters.

Date: Thursday, July 7, 2011

Location: Lake Scugog, Goreski’s Landing

225 Platten Boulevard, Port Perry

Registration: 7:00 am to 8:00 am

Start & End Times: 8:00 am to 6:30 pm

You can get in the spirit by watching highlights from the previous Reel and Deal events through the MS Society of Canada YouTube Channel.

To take part in this year's event, please contact Freya Potter, Senior Coordinator, Fundraising and Volunteer Management at 1-800-268-7582 ext. 3157 or freya.potter@mssociety.ca.

Canada Day!

July 1^st marks Canada’s 144^th birthday. This is a day where we as Canadians celebrate how fortunate we are to be able to live in such an amazing country. Canada Day is also a time of reflection where we celebrate the history, the growth, and the accomplishments of our country. The MS Society would like to wish all our members, volunteers, sponsors and partners a happy Canada Day! On this day we would also ask you to take a moment with us and think about the thousands of Canadian families living with multiple sclerosis and to help us give thanks to all of our supporters for their help and contributions in the fight to end MS.

This holiday, don’t be bashful and reserved; make sure to wear your red and white proudly and join Canadians across the country as we celebrate this important day! Have a great weekend!

Registration Fees Increase July 1st

There is just under one month left before the start of the first RONA MS Bike Tour of 2011 in Ontario!

Registration fees will increase on July 1, so if you haven’t done so already, now is the time to sign up. There are only 4 days left!

You can register as an individual or as a team. Let your family members, friends, and co-workers know about this amazing event – riders of all ages and fitness levels are welcome. You only need 4 people to register as a team! For more information about the RONA MS Bike Tours, click here. See you there!

Fundraising Tips!

With the RONA MS Bike Tours quickly approaching it is time to start focusing on meeting your fundraising goal! Participants are required to raise a minimum of $250, but with our help and your determination, that goal will be reached and surpassed in no time! Here are some helpful ideas.

• Organize a weekly 50/50 draw in your office where half the winnings go to the lucky ticket holder and the other half go towards your fundraising goals. 

• What about hosting a delicious BBQ? Ask for a small entrance fee and possibly a salad or snack so that you can keep costs down but still raise money. Remember, you’re trying to earn extra cash with an event like this, so don’t be afraid to charge a premium price for the meal!

• Now that the sun is out and weather is warm, why not host a car wash? Send an e-mail out to your friends with the details and let them know that all proceeds will be going towards your fundraising efforts.

•  Impress your friends by hosting a ‘Wine Tasting’ night. Buy a few bottles of nice wine and prepare some homemade hors d’oeuvres. Ask for a small fee for hosting the night. Or, if you’re not a fan of wine, have a ‘Beer Tasting’ night with some Ontario craft beers.

• Selling some of your unwanted belongings on eBay is a quick and easy way to earn money towards your fundraising goal. One person’s garbage is another person’s treasure. 

• Organize a trivia night down at your local saloon. Ask guests to pay an entrance fee at the door and then supply them with tricky questions and some finger foods. Make sure to clear it with the owner of the establishment first.

There are endless possibilities when trying to meet your fundraising goal; these are just a few ideas to get you thinking. Also, your friends and family are great think tanks when trying to decide the best way to fundraise, so don’t hesitate to ask around!

Trek4MS

Jordan Kozina has just embarked on an unbelievable crosscountry journey with the goal of raising awareness for multiple sclerosis across Canada while fundraising for MS research and to assist those affected by the disease. Jordan is planning to bike from Tofino BC, to Cape Spear NFLD over 3 months and started his ride on June 12^th.  Along the way he is going to connect with 29 local Chapters of the MS Society and hopes to make this the most successful “Third Party” fundraising and awareness campaign for MS yet.

 

Jordan’s fundraising goal is $100,000 and he believes that together we can blow this mark out of the water. If you would like to learn more about Jordan’s incredible journey click here. If you want to donate to his campaign, click here. 

We would like to thank Jordan for his dedication and determination and wish him the best of luck on his journey. Go Jordan!     

Enjoy Ontario's Bike Trails

Summer is a glorious time to explore our beautiful Ontario Bike Trails! There are wonderful local gems and towns dotting the thousands of kilometres of trails that run through the province. Whether you bike along the rivers, around lakes, through the forests, or into the towns, there is a perfect trail for any type of rider! This is a great opportunity to get into the spirit for the upcoming RONA MS Bike Tours!

If you can’t decide what kind of ride you want to take or where you’d like to go, we have chosen a couple that we know you will enjoy!

The Collingwood Loop Trail: 6 km

The Collingwood Loop is a fantastic ride that highlights the historic and gorgeous town of Collingwood as well as the mystic Georgian Bay. The surface is asphalt and soil so it doesn’t ride like a difficult trail which makes it perfect for the whole family! There are nearby stores and two sets of summer only washrooms along the way.

The Greater Napanee Waterfront Trail: 22.4km – 91.9km


The Greater Napanee Waterfront Trail is for the more serious rider, but it is a wonderfully scenic ride. The trail goes through the town of Napanee which is situated on the beautiful Napanee River and continues south to pass the Bay of Quinte and Hay Bay, renowned for its Wall-eye fishing! The trail is asphalt and has picnic areas and washrooms along route.

Get out there and enjoy the nice weather while it lasts. Head to the Ontario Trails Council website to find the perfect route for you. Remember to wear a helmet, pack some water, stay safe and have fun!

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Still looking for gift ideas for your cycling enthusiast dad?  Why not get him something that will help him better prepare for his upcoming RONA MS Bike Tour. It is important when participating in the RONA MS Bike Tour to be prepared for all types of weather conditions! Here are a few father’s day gift ideas so that dad will be ready on the day of the ride, no matter what Mother Nature throws at him.

• Bike Tune Up. A great way to get your dad’s bike ready for his tour is to get a free inspection at one of the MS Bike Shops which are available to all RONA MS Bike Tour participants. Click here to find a shop near you.

• Sunscreen. If the weather on the RONA MS Bike Tours is as nice as we hope it’s going to be, then your dad is going to need sunscreen. A sport brand will do well because it won’t wash off with sweat. Don’t forget to guard those lips from the harmful sun rays; lip conditioner with SPF is also a great idea.

•  Water Bottle and Cage. One of the most important things to remember when taking part in outdoor activities is to stay hydrated, even in cool weather. With a bottle and cage your father will be able to access a refreshing drink anytime during the Tour.  Water re-fill stations will be located at rest stops along the route.

• Bike Computer. This is the perfect gift for the more serious touring father. A cycling-specific GPS sits on the handlebars, tracks distance, speed, time, calories burned, altitude, climb and decent. While the RONA MS Bike Tours are for cyclists of all ages and fitness levels, this is a great tool for training and to track your ride.

• Bicycle rain cape. A rain cape can help your dad become waterproof in seconds if it rains. It is ventilated for comfort and has reflective strips for safer night riding.

And of course, if your father hasn’t registered for the RONA MS Bike Tour yet, why not treat him by signing him up! Register before July 1 to take advantage of the early-bird rate.

Pub Night!

We are excited to let you know about another RONA MS Bike Tour Pub Night!  This time it will be held on June 14 (tonight!) in beautiful London Ontario at Milestones Grill and Bar.  The event starts at 6pm and there will be free appetizers!  Bring your friends and family and connect with other team captains and members.  There will also be MS staff there to answer any of your questions or queries.  Not only are the Pub Nights a blast, but you can learn more about the RONA MS Bike Tours and possibly pick up a trick or two that might help your team perform better this summer!

Here are directions to the Milestones Grill and Bar in London; http://www.milestonesrestaurants.com/location_map.php?id=33

If you haven’t already, click here to register for an upcoming RONA MS Bike Tour and get ready for a great ride! 

See you there!

14th Annual RBC/MS Gold Tournament a Success!

Friday’s Multiple Sclerosis Charity Golf tournament hosted by RBC Procurement was a huge success!  We would like to offer a sincere thank you to all the participating golfers and to Mother Nature for offering up sunny weather!

The tournament took place at two different courses in Markham - the Angus Glen Golf Club and Mandarin Golf and Country Club. 432 golfers raised over $400,000 for the MS Society.  Proceeds from the tournament will help fund vital research devoted to the study of multiple sclerosis in children.  Much of this research is led by Dr. Brenda Banwell, Director of the Paediatric MS Clinic at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. 

Thank you to all participating golfers, sponsors, and volunteers for your support. Photos from the event will be posted shortly, stay tuned!

Sign Up as a Team!

There are many reasons why people prefer to take part in a RONA MS Bike Tour as a member of a team.  Participating as part of a team keeps riders motivated and feeling supported during the Tour. And let’s not forget how much fun it is to ride alongside friends and family, or how enriching it can be to connect with colleagues outside of the work environment.

There is the satisfaction of collecting pledges with someone in particular in mind or just for the cause in general, team members always affirm that being part of a collective is one of the best fundraising motivators.  It’s easy to register as a team; you only need a total of 4 riders! 

Also as a team, you can work towards being one of Canada’s top 100 RONA MS Bike Tour fundraising teams for 2011!

If you haven’t registered as a team yet, and want to find out more, contact us and we’ll provide all the information you’ll need.

St. Louis Pub Night!

If you’re going to be in the Toronto area tomorrow night, then join us at St. Louis Bar and Grill for a night of fun with MS Society staff and other team captains and team members!  Even if you’re not in the area, come anyway for the free appetizers and the opportunity to connect with other participants of the RONA MS Bike Tours!!

It’ll be a night of shared experiences and a chance for you and your team to learn some great tips and tricks to help take you to the next level in 2011!  Bring along your family and friends and show them what the RONA MS Bike Tours are all about and how to get involved!

Click here for directions. Please RSVP if you plan to come – we hope to see you there!

Cyclepath Oakville Training Ride!

The best way to get in shape for the upcoming RONA MS Bike Tours is to actually dust off your bike and do a bike training ride! Practice makes perfect!  Join us for the Cyclepath Oakville training ride at 9am on Sunday June 5, as we get back into the swing of things with a 30-40K bike ride. 

A great idea is to bring a friend or family member along and prove to them that if they can do the 30-40k Cyclepath Oakville training ride, then participating in a RONA MS Bike Tour will be no problem! 

Click here for details and directions.

See you there!