Do not miss the Early Bird registration!

Rise, shine and don’t miss the Early Bird registration for the MS Bike tour this year! It is only 5 days before registration fees go up on April 1. Register now at www.msbike.ca and your Early Bird special is $20 for 1 day tour and $35 for 2-day.

MS Summer Camp is around the corner!

2014 MS Summer Camp registration is now open! Do you know someone age 8-21, who lives with MS? They could be joining us for MS Summer Camp, August 9-16 at Easter Seals Camp Merrywood (near Ottawa).

The camp is fully accessible and staffed with trained counselors.  A wide variety of activities include archery, swimming, kayaking, campfires, overnight trips, hiking, arts and crafts, team sports, and much more! Campers are also introduced to peer support leaders who are successful young adults living with MS. This gives campers the opportunity to meet older peers who have followed their dreams despite their MS diagnosis.

For more information about MS Summer Camp visit www.mssociety.ca/camp.

Create a Video Message to Spread the Word

With millions visiting YouTube each day, why not try creating a brief video message to tell viewers why raising money for the 2014 MS Bike is important to you! Post the video to your social media accounts or forward your message on by email. Don’t forget to upload it to your Participant Centre at www.msbike.ca.  

It has been proven that people who use social media channels for fundraising raise six times as much as those who don’t! You can also play the video at social gatherings to show friends and family your dedication to help end MS.

Monday motivation

 

 

“Forget all the reasons why it won’t work and believe the one reason why it will.” – via Pinterest  #MondayMotivation

World Poetry Day

Today is World Poetry Day and there are many cycling poets out there!  So here is some beautiful inspiration for getting on your bike (courtesy of http://www.bicycle-haiku.blogspot.ca).

awake dreaming bike
around and around my bliss
pedaling for me
~kazimar~

 

 

Tires sing a sweet song
Asphalt played like a cello
Traction symphony
~robcat~

Cycling Safety tips

Make sure to think of your safety when training for the MS Bike:

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.

The first MS Bike event of the season is only 3.5 months away. Register today at msbike.ca!

This is why we ride!

 

We have come a long way in MS research since the MS Society was founded in 1948. And it’s your fundraising efforts that have led top Canadian researchers to discover significant insights about MS over the years.

With your support we are taking new, important steps in 2014. We are accelerating the pace of research to end MS and are working to translate these insights into life improving therapies. This would not have been possible without you! www.mssociety.ca/research

Fundraising tip Tuesday: Lending a helping hand

Get busy and raise money while helping out others! Advertise your willingness to work in exchange for donations. What about walking your neighbor’s dog, painting your friend’s garage, cleaning windows, offering someone a ride to their dentist appointment or washing your coworker’s car?

Tell everyone you know you’re here to help while raising money for a great cause. Use social media to advertise your skills and availability and see your donations grow.

MondayMotivation

Use the MS Bike Participant Centre to your full advantage!

1. Personalize and share your page - let everyone know why you ride! Check out other participants’ sites for inspiration. From the msbike.ca/ontario homepage, select any of the locations to see the stories of top fundraisers linked on the right.

2. Send out emails to everyone you know and make donating just one click away 

3. Update your fundraising goal to inspire to donors to pledge more!

I can and I will

Team Sparling’s Propane shares their love for Team Captain!

 

It is hard for people to conceive of the depth, strength and intensity that Anita pours into the love that she has for the MS Bike and our team! As a third time returning rider, there is nothing that cements my commitment to this event and this team more than admiration for Anita and the joy she brings to all of us!

 

In all of the community events and charitable projects that I participate in; I have not come across anyone as inspiring as her. It is astounding how she can be excellent at so many things at the same time: mother, wife, Master's Degree student, health promoter, spin instructor, MS Bike Team Captain, Committee Chair for Youth Access to Sport it just goes on and on! Anita somehow manages to grow the team while inspiring us and I don't think our team can express our love enough.

-Jon, Team Sparling's Propane, MS Bike - Grand Bend to London

Fundraising Tip: Movie Night Fundraiser

Organize a Family Movie Night – a super easy and fun way to kick-start or boost your 2014 MS Bike fundraising! Think about what your guests would like to see.

-Invite family and friends for a small fee that will go towards your fundraising.

-Why not use your Participant Centre to send an invitation?

-Sell popcorn or other snacks and/drinks to raise even more!

You can also THINK BIG – this has more costs, but also more fundraising potential:

-Find out if a local theatre could be rented – sometimes special packages for fundraisers are available.

-Select a movie that attracts a large group of people.

-Advertise the fundraiser movie with your local newspaper, radio or TV station and don’t forget to post the event on social media.

-You could also ask if the theatre will donate a portion of concession stand items sold to your campaign