Don’t let the cycling stop - Bike routes in Grand Bend & London

 

Just because MS Bike – Grand Bend to London is over, doesn’t mean the cycling has to stop. Here are some routes around Grand Bend and London to enjoy this summer:

Grand Bend

 

Grand Bend Rotary Nature Trail

• Type: Road
• Distance: 9 km trail extending from Pinery Provincial Park to Grand Bend alongside highway 21.
• You’ll love this trail for: Its beautiful meadow of wildflowers.

Riverside Trail

• Type: Road
• Distance: 1 km trail passing from dry upland oak/pine forests onto the Ausable River floodplain.
• You’ll love this trail for: Its ancient trees and sun-drenched meadows with unique butterflies, songbirds and reptiles

 

Pinery Park Cedar Trail

• Type: Off road
• Distance: 2.3 km trail overlooking the Old Ausable Channel with a 1 km extension that provides access to the shore of Lake Huron.
• You’ll love this trail for: Its lovely extension to the beach.

 

Savanna Biking Trail

• Type: Off road
• Distance: 14 km trail that travels through wooded landscape from the Park Store to the traffic circle.
• You’ll love this trail for: Its picturesque bicycle trail that will allow you to explore all Pinery has to offer.

 

 

London

 

Fanshawe Lake Trail

• Type: Road
• Distance: 20 km loop trail traveling around Fanshawe Reservoir.
• You’ll love this trail for: Its spectacular views, mixture of wildlife and variety of terrain.

Westminister Ponds Trails

• Type: Off road
• Distance: 10.5 km trail that is a mix of gently rolling and short steep hills.
• You’ll love this trail for: Its many ponds and rich variety of natural habitats in a relatively undisturbed state.

For more information on these biking trails and others visit http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail-regions/southwestern-ontario/

Congratulations 2014 MS Bike – Grand Bend participants!

On behalf on the MS Bike team we would like to pass along a big high five and congratulations to all the cyclists who pedaled and pushed this weekend from Grand Bend to London.

Your hard work both on and off the bike resulted in a total of $1.35 million being raised to help end MS!

Thank you participants, volunteers and donors! See you next year!

MS Bike – GRAND BEND to LONDON is TODAY!

GOOD LUCK MS Bike – Grand Bend to London riders! THANK YOU to every new and returning cyclist who are joining the fight to end MS! We wish you a safe and exciting ride. Enjoy the festivities!

Share your best moments of the day with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!

MS Bike - Grand Bend to London is TOMORROW!

Woohoo! Are you getting as excited as we are that MS Bike - Grand Bend to London is tomorrow?! Here are some of the details of the event – be sure not to miss anything!

Friday, July 25
6-8pm Early Package Pick-Up (Grand Bend Motorplex)

Saturday, July 26
6-8am Check-In (Grand Bend Motorplex)
7:30am First group of cyclists leave (NO EARLY DEPARTURES)
10am All cyclists must be on route (Western University)
11am-5pm Massage Therapy – Ontario Hall
12-5pm  Scrambler – Essex Hall
1-6pm Beer Garden – London Hall
5-7pm VIP Lounge for Team Captains and $1000+ Club Members
4-7pm Dinner
8-9:30pm Evening ceremonies

Sunday, July 27
6-8am Breakfast (Western University)
7-9am Check-Out
7:30am First group of cyclists leave (NO EARLY DEPARTURES)
9:00am All cyclists must be on route
11am-2pm 100 Club BBQ
11 am – end BBQ for all

COUNTDOWN: 2 DAYS until MS Bike – Grand Bend to London

MS Bike—Grand Bend to London is just around the corner! With 2 days left we’d like to provide everyone with some need-to-know information for the tour:

• Early check-in is Friday at 6:00-8:00 pm, and check-in is Saturday at 6:00 - 8:00am at the Grand Bend Motorplex.
• For the safety of you and your fellow riders, iPods and MP3 players will NOT be permitted on either route.
• Rest stops will be located every 15km (or so) along the route. There you will have access port-a-potties, water, beverages and snacks.
• Don’t forget you need to raise a minimum of $300 to ride. Set your goal high & help us end MS!

We have 3 designated cheering sections along the route for your friends and family:

Saturday:
Lobo General Store, 6376 Egremont Rd, Lobo – at the corner of Egremont Rd & Nairn Road.

Hyde Park Feed & Country Store, 1830 Gainsborough Road, Hyde Park - 5km away from the finish line!

Sunday:
Tenex Communications, 175 Main Street, Ailsa Craig - approximately halfway.

COUNTDOWN 3 DAYS: Get SOCIAL at MS Bike – Grand Bend to London

There are 3 DAYS left until MS Bike – Grand Bend to London and we want to hear from you – while you are preparing, at a rest stop and relaxing! There will be live social media walls posted around the venue so be sure to tweet, tag or post something and see it on the big screen!

We want #MSBike to TREND!! Hop onto TWITTER as we will be posting highlights of the weekend. Re-tweet us or send us a pic of you at an MS Bike rest stop! Use the hash tags: #MSBike, #MSBikeGrandBendtoLondon, #endMS

NEW – Our INSTAGRAM @MSBikeTour is up and running! Check out the MS Bike team behind the scenes as they prepare for MS Bike. We will be posting pictures from the event so be sure to give us a double tap! Tag us in your photos and we may double tap you back!

Post your photo’s to FACEBOOK or share with us what some of your favourite moments at MS Bike – Grand Bend to London were!

Keep an eye out for a 2014 MS Bike – Grand Bend to London album up of our FLICKR site! Like your favourites and they may appear on Facebook!

COUNTDOWN: 4 days until MS Bike – Grand Bend to London

We only have 4 days remaining until MS Bike – Grand Bend to London! 4 days means lots of time to fundraise and meet your individual and team pledge goals. Work extra hard to be part of our 100 Club – These are our 100 top fundraisers from last year’s tour. See if you can spot one - they will be wearing yellow bibs with their corresponding ranking as their bib number. Join us in congratulating them in their outstanding efforts and hard work!

Good luck fundraising this week! Remember that every effort counts so make sure to do your best and push yourself to meet your pledge goals!

COUNTDOWN: 5 Days – Grand Bend to London

With our largest tour MS Bike – Grand Bend to London only 5 days away, we want to take a look back at last year’s event.

Over 1800 cyclists participated in 2013 and raised an amazing $1.35 million in support of those living with MS! Let’s see if we can top those numbers this year!

The MS Bike – Grand Bend to London riders are a spirited bunch so we know 2014 will definitely be a success.

Check-in locations:
MS Society Office
20-1100 Dearness Dr.
London, On

• Monday, July 21 10 am - 4 pm
• Tuesday, July 22 10 am - 4 pm
• Wednesday, July 23 10 am - 8 pm

Grand Bend Motorplex

70291 Grand Bend Line,

Grand Bend, ON

• Friday, July 25 6 pm - 8 pm
• Saturday, July 26 6 am - 8 am

We’ve got 5 days of counting down to do and we hope you’ll help us. Let us know what you’re most excited for at this year’s event!

Are you putting the FUN in FUNDRAISING? Host a Mow-a-thon!

Want to get your family involved this weekend to help meet your MS Bike pledge goal? Why not host a Mow-a-thon?! Ask your neighbors if you can mow their lawn for $50. Remind them that it will be going to a good cause! This warm weather and rain is making the grass grow, so we’re sure your neighbours would love a break from cutting their lawn!

Please keep these lawn mower safety tips in mind:

• Before starting, walk around the lawn and thoroughly inspect the area
• Remove stones, sticks, toys and other debris that could be tripped over or picked up by the blade
• Cautiously inspect the lawn mower – look for damaged or missing parts and make adjustments or repairs before you begin
• Plan your mowing pattern! Avoid sidewalks, bystanders or any obstacles
• Wear closed-toed shoes
•  Do not hold on to the lawn mower if you fall
• Never pull the mower back towards you while moving
• Make sure you are well balanced

Good luck! Be sure to send us a picture of you hard at work on Facebook or Twitter!

Safety tip source: Cud Cadet

 

Celebration of Champions dinner

Here is some extra motivation as we near our next MS Bike events! Participants who raise over $5000 and teams captains of teams who raise over $25,000 are invited to the Celebration of Champions dinner that will take place in the Fall. Meet participants from other MS Society events from  across Ontario and enjoy an inspiring evening that you will not forget.

Need some ideas on how to increase your pledges? Check out our FUNdraising tips!
• Host a Mow-a-thon
• Host a theme dinner

MS Bike - Grand Bend to London volunteers needed!

Be a part of a rewarding experience and VOLUNTEER at MS Bike – Grand Bend to London! It is an opportunity to support a great cause, meet new people, learn new skills and broaden personal experiences. Your help is greatly appreciated and we promise that the cyclists’ energy is contagious!

We are looking for volunteers during these times at the Grand Bend Motorplex:

• Friday, July 25 5:00-8:30pm
• Saturday, July 26 5:30-10:00am

If you’re interested or want to know more please contact us at: msbikegrandbend@mssociety.ca

Be a part of the 2015 Tour of Champions!!

This year, add some extra motivation to your MS Bike fundraising efforts and raise over $10,000! Join a special group of top fundraisers from across the country in Denver, Colorado for the 2015 Tour of Champions. This is a chance to experience another tour in North America!

We are looking forward to our 2014 Tour of Champions which has 18 Canadian participants travelling down to Sandiago, California in October.

Check out this video made by a top MS Bike Fundraiser of the 2013 Tour of Champions in South Florida!

For more information on the Tour of Champions, please contact Lori Anne McNulty at
lorianne.mcnulty@mssociety.ca.

Congratulations MS Bike – Prince Edward County cyclists!

Our first MS Bike event is complete with no shortage of hard work and dedication. A HUGE thank you goes out to the MS Bike – Prince Edward County cyclists who rode 75 kilometers this past weekend to help end MS. Your fundraising efforts and MS spirit helped to raise $135,000!!

On behalf of the MS Bike team, thank you to all participants, supporters & volunteers!

Good luck TODAY to the Prince Edward County riders!

And they’re off! Good luck today to the group of riders in Prince Edward County who are cycling to make a difference in the lives of those affected by MS and help end MS! Enjoy the scenic ride and make sure to share photos and experiences with us on Facebook and Twitter (@MSBikeTour).
Ride safe and have fun!

Countdown: MS Bike –Prince Edward County is 1 DAY AWAY

1 DAY AWAY – We are excited to see you all tomorrow morning! Let us know what you are doing today to get pumped up!

Riders, don’t forget to bring your completed pledge sheets and pledge submission form with you tomorrow! To check-in, you’ll need to completely fill in your pledge sheets and pledge submission form, including the dollar amount you are submitting on event day, your prize choice (if applicable) and the waiver. You can download and print a copy of each from your Participant Centre.

See you tomorrow, rest up!

Countdown: 2 days left untill MS Bike - Prince Edward County, are you prepared?

We are 2 DAYS away from MS Bike - Prince Edward County! Are you looking forward to the beautiful scenery of Prince Edward County this weekend?

Make sure you are prepared for Sunday!
Download the 2014 Cyclist Handbook - It explains the check in process, what to bring the day of the ride and all the details you need to know to make the ride amazing!

Countdown: 3 days left to FUNDRAISE for MS Bike - Prince Edward County

There are only 3 DAYS left until the first MS Bike event of the season! As MS Bike - Prince Edward County approaches, be sure to meet your individual or team fundraising goal!

With three days left you could raise $1000 and receive an MS Bike 1000 club jersey, $75 gift card and an event t-shirt. But don’t stop there, why not get all the gear! When you raise $2000+, you’ll not only receive the 1000 club jersey, but the 2000 club cycling shorts to match! Check out the fundraising rewards and give it your all this week!

Countdown: 4 days until MS Bike – Prince Edward County!!

MS Bike - Prince Edward County is almost here! We would like to remind all riders (and bikes) to come prepared the morning of July 6th to ensure a safe and wonderful ride!

For your safety, please remember the following:

• Get your bike tuned-up/inspected before the tour 
• Always wear a helmet 
• MP3 players are not permitted on the route
• Announce “on your left” while passing other cyclists
• Ride in rows of no more than two, so not to crowd the route 
• The route is not closed to traffic. Please watch out for vehicles and obey the rules of the road at all times

Reminder: For those of you riding, don’t forget the minimum $300 pledge to participate.