Autumn has arrived!

 

This past Saturday marked the official end of summer. The transition to the autumn season can be a lot of work as we close up our cottages, harvest the last of the summer vegetables in our gardens, or switch out our breezy summer clothes for the cozy sweaters packed away in the back of the closet.

Why not take some time for yourself, gear up, and go for a ride? Enjoy the last of summer’s warmth, and watch out for some of the early signs of autumn. If you have the chance, snap a photo of the leaves turning colour or a squirrel gathering nuts for the winter and leave it in comments, or send it to us via Facebook or Twitter! We’d love to see what autumn looks like in your neck of the woods.

And as you ride, remember: Registration for the 2013 MS Bike Tour opens in November!

 

Rider Profile: Doug Fortin, Love at First Cycle

Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 11 years ago, Doug Fortin feels more comfortable on a bike than on two feet.

“Take me to the mall, and I’ll be sitting on a bench in minutes,” Doug says. “But on a bike, I can go forever.” Before his diagnosis, Doug enjoyed a physically active career in manufacturing. As his disease progressed, he transitioned to office work within the same company. “It’s a hit when you see other people doing something you used to love,” Doug says. “The MS Bike Tour was something I could accomplish while raising awareness about a cause that’s important to me.”

An avid cyclist since he was a teenager, Doug discovered the MS Bike Tour seven years ago through a Gearing Up newsletter. Given the choice between a shorter ride and a longer one, Doug chooses the more challenging 55 km Toronto Tour around Etobicoke’s Centennial Park. While reminding himself that the tour isn’t a race, Doug finishes every ride knowing he has pushed himself and made a difference.  His fundraising focuses on building awareness through networking and word of mouth, which seems to have worked – the top participant has raised $20,000 since his first ride.

During the winter, Doug keeps up with training for the MS Bike Tour using parabolic rollers, which allows him to keep his balance on his bike indoors. For Doug, an active lifestyle is essential to keeping busy and maintaining a positive outlook. “To finish the Bike Tour can be very emotional for me,” Doug says. “I made it, I didn’t fall and my wife is waiting for me at the finish line. When it comes down to it, I do the MS Bike Tour because I still can.”

Why do you participate in the MS Bike Tour? Share your own story on Facebook or Twitter!

ExpoCycle Prize Winner Announcement

Early this month, the MS Society attended the first ever public day of ExpoCycle at the Direct Energy Centre in downtown Toronto. Many of you entered our prize draw and we’re excited to announce that the winner of the special edition MS Louis Garneau jersey is… Glen Nerona!

Congratulations Glen, and thanks to everyone who entered!

Photos are up!

 

Relive all the excitement of the 2012 MS Bike Tour! Check out our Flickr page to view all the event photos.

Thank you for gearing up to end MS!

The 2012 MS Bike Tour has reached the finish line in Ontario!

The MS Bike Tour has wrapped up another successful season! We would like to thank all the participants and dedicated volunteers for their amazing efforts in creating a future free of MS.

If you have an MS Bike Tour story that you would like to share with us, please feel free to do so on our Facebook page.

MS Bike Tour – Toronto a great success!

This past weekend over 250 participants cycled through west Toronto as part of the MS Bike Tour, and raised an amazing $150, 000 in support of those living with MS! Cyclists arrived early on Sunday eager to gear up and enjoy the beautiful weather!  It was a great way to wrap up the MS Bike Tour season!

We would like to thank all the dedicated participants, enthusiastic supporters and hard-working volunteers, whom we couldn’t have done it without!

Only 2 more days until the MS Bike Tour – Toronto!

The 2012 MS Bike Tour – Toronto will be taking place this Sunday, September 9, marking the end of a fantastic MS Bike Tour season!  We can’t wait to get out there and enjoy the amazing scenery with everyone involved! We would like to wish all our cyclists participating this weekend a safe and fun ride!

 

Thank you to our participants, supporters and volunteers for your help in creating a future free of MS!

Luck of the Draw!

Congratulations to Allyson Newburg, the winner of the weekend getaway for two to either New York City or Chicago! Allyson raised more than $3000 online between June 6 and 13 for the Prince Edward County Tour!

Join us this Saturday at ExpoCycle!

Don’t forget… the 2012 ExpoCycle is this Saturday, September 8! Come out and meet the MS Bike Tour team at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place (100 Princes' Blvd.) from 10am until 6pm. Check out the latest bikes and cycling gear for 2013, the BMX/Trials Demo Presentation Zone, the Wheelie Kool Kids Zone and so much more! Bring your family, friends and MS Bike Tour teammates. For more info visit www.expocycle.ca.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We hope to see you there!

MS Bike Tour Event Day Countdown - 3 more days!

We hope you are getting as excited as we are for Ontario’s last Bike Tour of the season, the 2012 MS Bike Tour  ̶  Toronto! If you haven’t already, please check out the 2012 Cyclist Handbook for all the important event day information you need.

 

Thanks for gearing up to end MS!

MS Bike Tour Event Day Countdown - 4 more days until the MS Bike Tour – Toronto!

That means only 4 days to gather pledges to hand in on event day. Don’t forget, a $250 fundraising minimum is required to ride. To make the check-in process quicker, please complete the pledge submission form and bring all of your pledge sheets/slips and the funds you’ve raised.

P.S. You can also continue to raise pledges even after the MS Bike Tour is over.