Champions for MS

Good Morning Champions for MS,

 It’s been a long night….The votes are in, and you surprised me..In a very good way I must say..

As a team we are going all in this year…Pulling out the stops and get back to our roots of being aggressive…And your choice has shown me that….

Our colors for the 2011 tours will be Primal  Vista..To be honest at first I didn’t understand, until the wee hours of this morning when it hit me…This team has always been a little edgy, Yes, but we have always been a very passionate group… Our difference has and always will be in the fact, that we are color blind…So riding in a black and white jersey is fitting…After all its our character which has defined us as a team…But our difference is also that we are all riding for the right reasons…Each one of you have proven that as a team we can move mountains….Once again fitting with the jersey image…Yes Champions for MS is about “Moving Mountains “…Every tour we ride we make a difference in the lives of those living with and fighting MS…

You were right… And for that I thank you for helping me understand….Great choice

 http://www.primalwear.com/p-2012-vista-mens-cycling-jersey.aspx

 Here is the deal, we need to sell 51 jerseys in order get the pricing we have been quoted. That number is now 47, as I will personally be buying 4. 2 for myself and 2 for my wife our Team Sag driver..

Over the next week I will be providing you with details on purchasing jerseys..Timelines, etc…We are a friends and family team comprised of riders, volunteers, and sponsors…So I would think 47 jerseys is pretty possible..$39.60 is an incredible price for a jersey. Remember $4.40 from every jersey sale will go to MS.

 Over the next week I would like to get a feel for the number of jerseys we need, so we can provide that information to Primal.

Please email me as to how many jerseys you would like and sizes.  

 And oh by the way, it’s time to commit..Time to be counted and register…

 Registration is easy, just click on the link below..

 http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/PAXBikeEvents?team_id=221341&pg=team&fr_id=15151

 Still on the fence? Haven’t ridden with us in a while? We want you back.

Want to remember what it’s like, check out our 2010 team video on You Tube at :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DcKes7HvmY

 Also please check out our web-site at :

 www.championsforms.com

 Ride, volunteer, sponsor, we want you..Those with MS need you…

 More details will be forthcoming on what’s new for 2011…Remember this team is a democracy, and we can do anything….If we can think it, we can do it…  

 If someone you know has a passion for fighting MS, please feel free to forward this email ..Join us for a life changing event…

 Thank you all so much and I look forward to hearing from you!!

 Champions for MS…We Can Move Mountains…

 -Jeff H.

Good Evening Champions for MS,

 I know I said that I would only email once a week, but I have some great news..

We have a jersey deal…One I feel very strongly about, which will benefit both the team and MS.

 Our New jersey supplier for 2011 will be Primal Wear. Why Primal?

They make a great product, and in many respects represent who we are as a team. Primal has always been innovative with their designs and produce some of the most recognizable jerseys in the industry. They were founded by cyclists and are dedicated to providing highly technical clothing that looks great and performs perfectly.

 Here are the details of the Deal :

 1.)       We need to sell between 51 and 100 jerseys..Should be possible last year we rode 60-75 riders.

2.)       Cost – $39.60 / of which $4.40 from each jersey sold will go to MS on our behalf. These jerseys are normally $70-$80.

3.)       We will set up shop in their team store – You will be able to purchase the jersey or jerseys online. They will be shipped to one central location and we will distribute before the tour. More details to follow.

4.)       Next step – We need to pick a jersey – This is up to you. I am going to provide you with some choices and you vote.. The jersey you pick is the one we ride with..

5.)       Think about this..The Champions for MS team was built on a passion for helping those with MS..We were always a little edgy..We have always had a swagger in our step, and are the dedicated guardians of those living with MS..We have always been color blind…It’s our character which sets us apart..So let’s have fun with this…Our colors can be anything..And I mean anything…We have never been about style points..We just get it done…

6.)       Drum Roll Please–Click on the links below. Look at the choices..Email me your vote by Saturday February 12^th. I will compile the votes and announce the winner that morning…Today I enlisted the guidance of several of our veteran riders and came up with the choices. Let the voting begin…We are not doing a custom jersey, but want something that when other teams see us rolling their way, they will never forget who we are…(Smirk)…

Kodiak

 http://www.primalwear.com/p-2004-kodiak-mens-cycling-jersey.aspx

Double Dragon

http://www.primalwear.com/p-2008-double-dragon-mens-cycling-jersey.aspx

Vista

http://www.primalwear.com/p-2012-vista-mens-cycling-jersey.aspx

Tribal Fire

http://www.primalwear.com/p-2013-tribal-fire-mens-cycling-jersey.aspx

PBR Rainier Mountain Fresh Jersey

http://www.primalwear.com/p-1727-pbr-rainier-mountain-fresh-jersey.aspx

PBR Schlitz Vintage Cycling Jersey

http://www.primalwear.com/p-1726-pbr-schlitz-vintage-cycling-jersey.aspx

Grateful Dead Team Steal Your Face Jersey

http://www.primalwear.com/p-1733-grateful-dead-team-steal-your-face-jersey.aspx

Rush Fly by Night Men’s Cycling Jersey

http://www.primalwear.com/p-1730-rush-fly-by-night-mens-cycling-jersey.aspx

 Haven’t ridden with us in a while? Want to remember what it’s like? Check out this years team video:        

Thank you all so much!!

Heart….Determination…Courage…We are Champions for MS!

-Jeff H.

Good Afternoon Champions for MS,

 Today I promise to keep it short, or maybe not  ….

As a team we are seven years old now…

For three years now we have been The Champions for MS Team…This team was born from your desire to continue to help those living with and fighting MS…You all have proven that this team is color blind, and that it’s character which defines teams not the colors you ride under…Our colors today will continue to be simple, (although I have a few ideas) The Blue Bandana of Bike MS Champions will identify us on the road( This Bandana signifies that each of us is riding for someone with MS..)

 Earlier today I came across a video clip from the movie “We are Marshall. This movie and the Champions for MS Team share many similarities…In 1970 most of the players and coaches of Marshall football team were lost in a tragic plane crash….In 2009, as a team we lost sponsorship, many people gave us up for dead…But you proved them wrong…In 10 days in early January three years ago today, this team of amazing people reinvented themselves as The Champions for MS Team…That last week in January, we made a choice to continue our fight for MS..I want each and every one of you to remember our heritage, and be proud of who we are…HEART is the very cornerstone of who we are as a team….Just like that Marshall Team…

And I have seen that from all of you…

Here is the clip from the movie We are Marshall…

 Those of you who have been with us for a while, think about it …We are allot like that Marshall Team….We are not dead, and our spirit and heart continues to live on through all of you…

 This year we will field 2 teams and will have our first Co – Captain in Mike Houston. Mike has been with us for 4 + plus years now and has ridden for MS for almost as long as I have…Mike will lead our first Cook  Forest Team, and will continue to help lead our training rides throughout the season for the Escape to the Lake tour as well. Stay tuned for updates here.

 Jerseys, we still do not have a jersey deal, that I am comfortable with presenting to you…I have a really hard time charging folks for jerseys who are riding for such a noble cause…Let alone asking each of you to pay full retail for a jersey given the fact that you pay a registration fee, lodging, transportation, and by the way raise a minimum of $250 for MS……This coupled with the sacrifices of time and effort you make to this wonderful cause… Soooooooo

 So let’s have fun with this..If we as a team are going to wear a jersey and pay full retail for it(advertising a supplier), let’s find one which is fun and cool and best represents who we are..Years ago there was a team I rode with in CT, which scoured web-sites nationally and found a new jersey each year to wear as a team…It was fun and innovative…One year they wore jerseys from a California Coffee house…What are your ideas?

We will compile every ones ideas and vote for what colors we will ride under this year…

 A Few Examples :

http://www.worldjerseys-store.com/images/1232689357422-1851945720.jpg

http://www.primalwear.com/popup.aspx?src=images/Product/large/TRF1J20M.jpg

 http://www.primalwear.com/p-1736-pink-floyd-money-mens-jersey.aspx

 http://www.primalwear.com/p-1719-boulder-beer-buffalo-gold-jersey.aspx

 http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_522149_-1_200338_200275_200478

 http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_508255_-1_200338_200275_200478

 Today I am asking you to commit and join me by riding this year’s MS Escape to the Lake Tour…

Save The Date : June 11^th and 12^th 2011—Registration is now open…

Registration is easy, just click on the link below..

 http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/PAXBikeEvents?team_id=221341&pg=team&fr_id=15151

 Registration is just $35 until May 5^th, after May 5^th $45..Remember each rider is required to fundraise a minimum of $250.

Cook Forest River Ride – September 2011
Cook Forest, PA 

The Cook Forest River Ride is a one-day bike ride that takes cyclists on a gently rolling route along the Clarion River. It’s a fun, fall ride for cyclists of all levels. There are two route options: 35 miles(perfect for beginner and recreational cyclists) and 60 miles (for those looking for more of a challenge).More details to follow here…

 We are a friends and family team and are open to anyone who has a passion to join us in our journey to fight MS….If you know of someone who is interested in joining us, please feel free to pass this e-mail along..

 Keep an eye out on our web-site for future updates..

www.championsforms.com

 Twitter

 http://twitter.com/#!/Champs_for_MS

 Twitter will be used for quick communication and there is a link on the home page of the team site as well…

 Well this was longer than I hoped and I like all of you should be hitting the bike today hmmmm……

 In the immortal words of the Band Van Halen, and the Tune “Right Now”…What are you waiting for?????

Thank you all so much!!

Heart….Determination…Courage…We are Champions for MS!

-Jeff H.