Champions for MS

Good Evening Champions for MS!

Due to severe weather in Robinson, tonights training ride hasd been cancelled.

-Jeff H.

Good Afternoon Champions for MS!

I wanted to thank all of our riders and members of the Pella team for coming out, and braving 40 and low 50 degree temps for our second weekend training ride. These days riding is all about time and distance in the saddle.

Any day on the bike is a good day on the bike.

Remember our rides are geared to all levels….Don’t ever think, am I fast enough, I don’t want to slow you down. When we ride these training rides, no one gets dropped..So come out…Have fun…Chase a few runners

Remember why we are here…The Champions for MS Team was built on the fact, that all of you truly Champion the MS cause….

You Commit to ride, and we will make sure you finish!

We have moved the Sunday ride time to 1:00 to ride in warmer temps.

We meet by the basketball courts next to the ice rink…

18+Miles….

You can do this…Join us this Sunday!

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

-Jeff H.

SPOKESNOTESMarch 2009

 Ride Across America

Phil Keoghan (of CBS’s THE AMAZING RACE) to Embark on a 40 Day, Coast-to-Coast Bike Ride Across America, Averaging 100 Miles Per Day, Covering Over 3,500 Miles Total with Pit Stops in Over 30 Cities INCLUDING PITTSBURGH!

 Phil Keoghan, host of CBS’s THE AMAZING RACE, will embark on his boldest adventure yet – cycling from Los Angeles to New York – a ride that will average 100 miles per day for a total of over 3,500 miles, spanning 40 days with pit stops in over 30 different cities.

 Phil Keoghan’s “Ride Across America Presented by GNC” will kickoff on March 28 in Los Angeles and end on May 9 (the day before the finale of THE AMAZING RACE 14) in New York. Along the way, he’ll attend meet and greets with supporters at local GNC stores, visit CBS affiliates, attend open-casting calls for the next installment of THE AMAZING RACE, sign copies of his best-selling book No Opportunity Wasted, and ride alongside ex-Racers and fans of THE AMAZING RACE. Koeghan has been a long time supporter of the National MS Society, and a participant in Bike MS. He will also be participating in rallies hosted by the National MS Society to build awareness for Bike MS and the MS movement.

Our chapter will help him depart from Pittsburgh on May 2nd with a rally ~ save the date and come ride with Phil!

Check out this video segement on CBS

http://360mediawatch.com/download.php?vid=6088

SAVE THE DATE: Spring Workshop

This year we will be holding the FREE 2009 Spring Workshop on Sunday March 22, 2009 from 10am-1pm. This a fun day with raffles, bike inspections, various vendors, outdoor activity clubs and organizations, a safety clinic and training ride. This year we are holding this fantastic cycling event at the Cardello Building on the North Shore. 1501 Reedsdale Street ~ South Entrance.

 SPEAKERS: Bill Ankrom, UPMC Cycling Performance, “Bicycle Fit”

Leslie Bonci, Director of UPMC Sports Nutrition and sports dietitian for Pgh’s Professional Sports Teams will discuss Nutrition

Eric Hodos, Team Manager, UPMC Cycling Team, will discuss “Training for Long Distance Rides”

TBA: Cycling for Female Riders

(Times will be announced next week)

 FUNDRAISING: NMSS Staff will be there to answer questions and help you set up your participant center/personal page, and discuss other fundraising ideas.

VENDORS: Trek of Pittsburgh: will be attending with clearance items

Rapp’s Bicycle Center: will be attending with items for sale

Immel Bicycle: will be conducting FREE bicycle inspections

Vomax: information about ordering jerseys and kits and samples

 Training Ride: Join us for an afternoon ride from the workshop to OTB Bicycle Café and back! (depending on the Weather)

Raffle: WIN PRIZES!

Many other Bike Shops and vendors will also be there along with numerous cycling and outdoor organizations.

SAVE THE DATE: MS Awareness/Team Week 2009

March 1-7th is MS Awareness week. We will be offering an open house at our office Thursday March 5th from 8:00am 7:00pm to answer questions, and offer assistance with personal pages/participant centers.

WIN PRIZES!!!! This is team week, so get ready to recruit new teammates and start fundraising!

-The top two teams with the highest % of teammates signed up this week will receive $25 Macy’s gift cards.

-The two teams with the highest total team members signed up this week will receive Qdoba gift cards for free burritos

-The team with the most money turned in this week will win a $100 gift certificate for OTB Bicycle Café (www.otbbicyclecafe.com) in the Southside to be used for a team lunch or happy hour (if you live out of the area we will buy your team a pizza party!)