Sponsor Profile – Impact Canopies Canada

 
We would like to take a minute to acknowledge an MS Bike Tours sponsor, Impact Canopies Canada, for helping to ensure that the MS Bike Tours is a success this year!

Since 1999, Impact Canopies Canada has manufactured and distributed all qualities and styles of Instant Canopies and Instant Canopy Accessories. In 2006, Impact Images Inc., based in California, was formed to manufacture and distribute Instant Canopies and Instant Canopy Accessories in the USA and other global markets.

Now, the company makes up the only true North American Instant Canopy Brand. With Canadian Offices in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Halifax and the US office in Lake Elsinore, California, Impact Instant Canopies are available throughout North America.

Check out their website or Facebook page for more information.
   

MS Bike Tours Fundraising Tip #3 – Plan a social gathering

 

Social gatherings are the perfect time to let your friends and family know that you are helping to end MS by participating in the 2012 MS Bike Tour. Spreading the word to familiar faces is comfortable and will make people aware of your fundraising initiative! Even if they don’t have the ability to donate at that particular time, they will be conscious of your efforts and may contribute to your fundraising at a later date.

Don’t forget to mention the option of pledging online at http://www.msbiketours.ca .

 

Don’t Miss the Early Bird Deadline! Register for the MS Bike Tour before March 31!

    

Three Canadians are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis every day.  Join the movement to end MS and participate in the largest cycling series in North America.  Funds raised* from the MS Bike tours help to provide services and programs for those affected by MS and support  research to end the disease.

Register for the 2012 MS Bike Tour at msbiketours.ca.

Don’t miss the Early Bird Deadline! If you REGISTER before March 31, you can bike in a one-day tour for $20 (Prince Edward County, Niagara or Toronto) or a two-day tour for $35 (Grand Bend to London or Acton to Waterloo)!

* All registered cyclists must meet the $250 fundraising minimum.

Prince Edward County

Date: July 8, 2012
Start/Finish Location: Prince Edward County Community Centre
Route Length(s): 75km

Grand Bend to London
Date: July 28-29, 2012
Start/Finish Location: Port Blake Conservation Area
Route Length(s): 150km

Acton to Waterloo
Date: August 18-19 2012
Start/Finish Location: Prospect Park, Acton
Route Length(s): 150k or 200k

Niagara
Date: August 26 2012
Start/Finish Location: Crystal Ridge Arena & Community Centre - NEW!
Route Length(s): 40k or 75k

Toronto
Date: September 9, 2012
Start/Finish Location: Centennial Park
Route Length(s): 30k or 55k

Interested in joining a team? Leave us a ‘wall post’ on Facebook or a ‘tweet’ on Twitter! Teams are always looking to recruit new members.
 

MS Bike Tours at the Around the Bay Health and Fitness Expo!

 

Visit the MS Bike Tour’s booth (#23) at the Health and Fitness Expo, taking place at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton on Friday, March 23^rd and Saturday, March 24^th. While you’re browsing through sporting goods, stop by the MS Bike Tour exhibit to learn more about the largest cycling series in North America! You can find out more about the different MS Bike Tours in Ontario and, if you register for a Tour at the show, you will be entered for a chance to WIN a NORCO Bike.

Click here for more information about the Health and Fitness Expo and the Around the Bay Road Race.

Hours:
Friday, March 23 – 1pm to 7pm
Saturday, March 24 – 10am to 5pm

Admission is FREE!

msbiketours.ca

MS Bike Tours Fundraising Tip #2 – Organize a bake sale at work

 

Organizing a bake sale event at your place of work is a great way to kick-off your fundraising initiatives and raise awareness about your participation in MS Bike! You can ask fellow employees to bring in their favorite baked goods to sell on a scheduled date and time during the work week as well as make some of the goodies yourself. Those who aren’t avid bakers can always purchase goodies or donate their family’s recipes for others to purchase.

Maintenance Tip – Essential Tools for Bike Maintenance and Repair

  

Are you missing an important component of your bike maintenance and repair toolbox? Here’s a list of our top 10 essential tools for getting your bike ready for this year’s MS Bike Tour:

1.       Floor pump

2.       Tire levers

3.       Chain breaker/checker

4.       Lube, grease, degreaser

5.       Torque wrench

6.       Torx Keys

7.       Cable Cutter

8.       Allen/Hex Keys

9.       Screwdriver (with multiple heads)

10.   Spoke Wrenches

Vote for your favourites or let us know what’s missing on our Facebook page.

 

The MS Bike Tour Honours International Women's Day

  

Today, March 8, the MS Bike Tour team celebrates the economic, political and social strides of women worldwide and throughout history. In its 101^st year, International Women’s Day continues to recognize women and press for equality.

We would like to take the opportunity to show our appreciation to women everywhere for your continued support and generosity. Women are more than three times as likely to develop MS than men and we would like to show our support to all women touched by MS today. Thank you to those who have volunteered their time, fundraised to provide services and programs and in support of a cure and who have joined us in the fight to end MS.

MS Bike Tours Fundraising Tip #1 – Donate to Yourself

 

Eager to pick up the pace of your fundraising? Maybe it’s time to get a head start with a pledge to yourself.  Studies have shown that participants who pledge themselves raise more than twice as much as those who only ask others and more than 5 times as much as those who simply show up and write a cheque on event day.  Your efforts to personally donate will inspire friends and family members to pledge as well. Lead by example and pledge today!

Have another great tip to share? Leave us a wall post on Facebook or a tweet on Twitter! You never know, your tip might even be included in our next blog post!