Just a quick update on this year’s tour efforts. Today we stand at just over $27,300, and by my calculations we should finish over $28,000. A great effort!!

As of today we are 4th overall in fundraising and still the largest team…

This will bring our six year total to over $314K to MS, an incredible accomplishment and for that I truly thank you…

Remember you have until July 19th to turn in all of your funds to MS.

Still can’t get enough of those tour memories? Check out Tour photographer Gary Margeson’s galleries, which are now complete.

www.buckeyes.smugmug.com

Thank you all for caring for your teammates, and being the safest team on the road….You are all Champions for MS!

If you are still interested in riding going forward, please email me and we will share the road once again for a little soul cycling (riding old school, relaxed, just you, your bike, some friends and a freedom that only comes from this wonderful sport of ours) . 

Once again it has been an honor.

Thank you all so much!!

Until we meet again, and we will see you all on the road sometime soon.

Be safe…

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

-Jeff H.

(PS I want your feedback both for the Team and MS, on how we can do this even better next year)

Today, 51st rider has arrived!!.

And back leading at the front where we belong….Largest Team!

Great job!!!

Today is the last day to take advantage of the registration break…

MS has agreed to allow us to continue to register for just $25 through today..After today the Registration fee will go back up to $35…

Let’s put some distance between us and the other teams…

Register between Today and use the coupon code FightMS2010 (cap sensitive) for $10 off registration for The Escape to the lake tour. Register for just $25…

Registration is easy…Just click on the link below and Save the Date : June 12th and 13th Register now……….

Remember our Team is a Friends and Family team and is open to friends and Family members. If you are a safe cyclist with a passion for helping those with MS, WE WANT YOU!!!

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=13002&team_id=178438

Once again, If you have a DSG E-mail address it is good idea to change it to a personal one, otherwise you risk not receiving team e-mails at work.(if you choose not to ride or volunteer with us, please let me know and I will remove you from our team e-mail list)

If you haven’t ridden with us in while, we want you back. Need a little more inspiration? Check out our team videos on you tube :

Remember, after Sunday of this week registration will go back up to $35. If you register after 4/5 registration will be $50. My goal is to have 90% of the team registered by 4/5….

Today I plan on driving our Robinson training routes, with the idea, that our outdoor training series will begin next week.

Other Team Business

1.)Training Rides Weather Permitting here is what we have on tap Next week :

Tuesday, Wednesday , Friday – 6:00PM 15-20 Miles, Meet at the Ball Fields on McClarren Road in Robinson.

Saturday – 9:30AM 17-20 Miles Meet at the Ball Fields on McClarren Road in Robinson.

Sunday- 9:30 AM North Park 15-20 Miles , Meet by the Pools at North Park ( Note this Change) with the high runner traffic our goal is to steer clear of those areas frequented by the runners training for the marathon…

Get lost or have questions call my cell at 724-831-8236. With weather being in the 50’s cold weather gear and fluids are essential.

2.) Cant make a training ride–Indoor training now is essential – need help, I have a number of workouts on the web-site and stored in my draft file..Training indoors will help make the transition to outdoor riding much easier.

3.)Your Bike—Not a bad idea to think about getting it to shop for an initial tune up, prior to the start of outdoor riding..Remember this year MS once again is requiring mandatory bike inspections before the tour. This is to keep you and other riders safe…

4.)This year all of our training rides will take place in Robinson, with a few exceptions, where we will do longer rides with the WPW, and our goal of riding parts of the Day one routes..

5.)BBQ Training Rides—As a Friends and Family team we do not have a central meeting place..Many times the best way for riders to meet each other is on the road..Starting this year, we will offer 3 BBQ training rides. One in March, April, and May..We will do these on either a Saturday or Sunday, out of state or local parks. We will ride in the morning and fire up grills in the afternoon for a team get together…More details to follow…These will be pot luck style, bring your best chile, potato salad, nacho’s etc..And meet teammates. More details to follow.

6.)Jerseys- We are working with a new jersey resource and should have details worked out shortly. We are looking at jerseys, shorts, and arm warmers . Peak 1 Sports out of Denver represents many of the values that we as a team possess…While we are finalizing details on pricing( Which will be similar to what we received from Canari), we will need to move quickly, in order to receive jerseys on time. I will have designs from Peak 1 next week..Stay tuned. At this point we are looking tentatively at $45 for jerseys, $43 for Shorts, and $23 for Arm Warmers. This along with design should be finalized this week. So stay tuned, we will need to act quickly.

www.Peak-1.com

7.)Is it ok to wear DSG or last year’s jerseys? Absolutely…This is part of our heritage like all of you and you should be proud of it.

8.)Volunteers –As a team we have a need for volunteers to help in a variety of venues both for us and MS. We need volunteers to help with our team tent at the team village, man rest stops during the tour, help with BBQ training rides, SAG Support during the tour, fundraising etc.

9.)March 27th Bike MS Spring Work Shop—This is open to all registered riders.

Visit this event’s page.

10.) Saturday 4/24 Team Alex 5K/5 Mile Run Walk – This event has been organized to help a teammate whose son has been hospitalized since October 20th 2009. Alex is a great little guy who has endured more than most at the tender age of 4…

(I do have registration forms in a PDF format as well).

Attached is a registration form, sponsor letter and sponsor information sheet.

Sign up is also available on line

at: www.signmeup.com/68040

Below is a link to a Facebook page for this event:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=312699436392&index=1

A student of Alex’s dad at Pine Richland is organizing this event. Brian McWilliams.

I know that many members of this team are runners as well as cyclists, this is not only a good way to get ready for the marathon, but also a way to help a teammate in need. Over the past 4 years I have watched young Alex grow up(to Alex I am Mr. Jeff). I have also been moved by the strength of his parents, during this tough time. But what I have seen from Alex has not only inspired me, but so many others. This 4 year old boy, has shown strength beyond his years, and I urge each you to participate in any way you can.

I am also including the link to his Care Pages.

Read the update now: http://www.carepages.com/carepages/ChuckandBear/updates/2535742?client_code=chp&ipc=mur

11.) Need help fundraising, check out these tools on the MS Web-Site to help you :

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/get-involved/events/bike-ms/digital-downloads-bike-ms/index.aspx

Want to know more about the team, or how you can participate, check out our team web-site at :

Each week there will be something new to motivate and help you train for this year’s tour..

www.championsforms.com

Make sure to include this link in any of your emails:

Register Now:

http://bikepax.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/PAXBikeEvents?fr_id=13002&pg=entry

WIN A SPECIALIZED BIKE: Enter today to win one of 20 Specialized® bikes! We are raffling off five Pro level bikes valued at $4,400 each and 15 Elite level bikes valued at $2,200 each: http://bikepax.nationalmssociety.org/site/R?i=2r0aPZ0Qb7Jnd1qeAOR8tw

If you would like to share something with our teammates, please e-mail me and I will include it in one of our team updates, or one of the many vehicles we are using to reach out to the team…

Remember this team is all about you, and our commitment to helping those with MS, if you have any suggestions or ideas, please let me know. Together we can do anything….

Today, I ask you to Seize the Day and register to Ride For MS!

Attached is something we sand out each year, to give you a glimpse at some of the equipment you will need to make the MS150 experience the most comfortable…

Join us NOW…..

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

-Jeff H.

Good Morning Everyone,

This is a strength training workout that Lance uses.

-Jeff H.

Good Morning Champions for MS!

Happy Saturday everyone!!!

It’s been a week since we last spoke, and I need your help….I need you to take the time to register…

To Commit..

To ride and fight MS…..

Can you believe that this is the first weekend in a few where snow has not been in the forecast???

In just a few short weeks, with a little bit of luck, and the weather gods on our side we should be riding outside shortly!!!

I believe that the true strength of our team lies in our Heart, courage, passion, and selflessness. Each of these qualities make us stronger and better people and better teammates.

This time last year our team was in crisis, as we reinvented ourselves into Champions for MS…

We Persevered…You Persevered…As a Team….We proved it’s character which defines teams not the colors they ride under.…

Today, I came across this video from the Movie “We Are Marshall”….

In many respects this is our story as well, last year we reinvented ourselves into “Champions for MS” last year, we too rose from the ashes like Marshall…

Like Marshall team in the movie, we cannot lose…

Last year many counted us out, but not you….

This Team has always been about doing the right thing, defining moments, riding for the right reason…You CARE!!!!

This Team has always been about HEART….Riding for those with MS…Our Time is now…

Our opponent is MS….You have shown the community who you are…CHAMPIONS FOR MS…

We are the guardians of those living with and fighting this disease…I guarantee that each and every mile we ride, those fighting MS are with us….Someday…Yes, some day we will ride this event in celebration of finding a cure for MS, and they will someday, ride with us, side by side….

It start and ends with You…Our Time is now…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjoWmFYiNPo

REGISTER NOW…. REGISTER NOW…. REGISTER NOW…. REGISTER NOW….

Well folks it’s time to register, and commit to riding this year’s 25th Annual MS Escape to the Lake Bike Tour, and the only way to ride is to register, and commit to riding in this life changing event..

Remember our Team is a Friends and Family team and is open to friends and Family members. If you are a safe cyclist with a passion for helping others, WE WANT YOU!!!

Once again, If you have a DSG E-mail address it is good idea to change it to a personal one, otherwise you risk not receiving team e-mails.

Registration is just $35 (until April 5th) $50 if you register between April 5th and June 12th, with the understanding that you must raise at least the $250 minimum before the start of the ride. ( Please note if you have not turned in the minimum by the day of the ride, you will be asked to guarantee the minimum with a credit card).

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=13002&team_id=178438

Maybe you haven’t ridden with us in while and need a little more inspiration. Check out our team videos on you tube :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0-6_O-Q4ik

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpWKe3vlHrA

Other Team Stuff

1.) Indoor training now is essential – need help, I have a number of workouts on the web-site and stored in my draft file..Training indoors will help make the transition to outdoor riding much easier.

2.) Your Bike—Not a bad idea to think about getting it to shop for an initial tune up, prior to the start of outdoor riding..

3.) Mark your Calendars for the week of 3/14 – The start of Daylight Savings time and the start of our evening training series in Robinson Pa.

4.) Mark your Calendars Again – 2/20 and 2/27 Our First weekend Training Rides ( weather permitting). I know this is next weekend, but as soon as the roads clear we ride….

5.) This year all of our training rides will take place in Robinson, with a few exceptions, where we will do longer rides with the WPW, and our goal of riding parts of the Day one routes..

6.) BBQ Training Rides—As a Friends and Family team we do not have a central meeting place..Many times the best way for riders to meet each other is on the road..Starting this year, we will offer 3 BBQ training rides. One in March, April, and May..We will do these on either a Saturday or Sunday, out of state or local parks. We will ride in the morning and fire up grills in the afternoon for a team get together…More details to follow…These will be pot luck style, bring your best chile, potato salad, nacho’s etc..And meet teammates. More details to follow.

7.) Jerseys- We are working with a new jersey resource and should have details worked out shortly. We are looking at jerseys, shorts, and arm warmers . Peak 1 Sports out of Denver represents many of the values that we as a team possess…While we are finalizing details on pricing( Which will be similar to what we received from Canari), we will need to move quickly, in order to receive jerseys on time. Our Tentative deadline will be March 20th – 22nd. Stay tuned.

8.) Is it ok to wear DSG or last year’s jerseys? Absolutely…This is part of our heritage like all of you and you should be proud of it.

9.) Volunteers –As a team we have a need for volunteers to help in a variety of venues both for us and MS. We need volunteers to help with our team tent at the team village, man rest stops during the tour, help with BBQ training rides, SAG Support during the tour, fundraising etc.

10.)March 27th Bike MS Spring Work Shop—This is open to all registered riders.

Visit this event’s page.

Communication :

Our web-site : Starting this week I am updating the site weekly.

www.championsforms.com

E-mail – Once Weekly you will see something from me going forward. And 10 days leading up to the tour we will do a daily ride countdown..

Twitter at Champs for MS—Short hit communication –

Face Book – Champions for MS – Still not sure about this one.(You tell me, do we need it)

How do you want to be communicated to let me know….

Make sure to include this link in any of your emails:

Register Now:

http://bikepax.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/PAXBikeEvents?fr_id=13002&pg=entry

WIN A SPECIALIZED BIKE: Enter today to win one of 20 Specialized® bikes! We are raffling off five Pro level bikes valued at $4,400 each and 15 Elite level bikes valued at $2,200 each: http://bikepax.nationalmssociety.org/site/R?i=2r0aPZ0Qb7Jnd1qeAOR8tw

If you would like to share something with our teammates, please e-mail me and I will include it in one of our team updates, or one of the many vehicles we are using to reach out to the team…

Remember this team is all about you, and our commitment to helping those with MS, if you have any suggestions or ideas, please let me know. Together we can do anything….

Today, I ask you to Seize the Day and register to Ride For MS!

Thank you all so much.

Join us NOW…..

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

-Jeff H.

Today I will be writing you twice. Once to help a teammate who is in need and another later today on tour business…It’s Sunday morning and I am a little pumped out after shoveling snow for 71/2 hours over the past 2 days, but as Lance Armstrong says “Pain is Temporary and Quitting is Forever” and as Champions we don’t quit…But that is not what matters..

I need your help….

October 20th of 2009, the son of one of our Teammates was admitted to Children’s hospital for surgery to remove a mass from his spine.

This is Alex’s Story, through the eyes of his parents Eric and Amy Brown :

Alex is a very active 4 year old. Everything changed October 20, 2009. Alex had complained over the weekend once about his neck hurting. We thought he was having a muscle related pain. He then wanted to wrestle and play hockey with Daddy so we thought he was fine.

Monday after school Alex’s neck was not quite straight and he had trouble looking to the left. This did not stop him from playing kickball with the neighbors. He went in for dinner and was more hunched over. It still looked like he had a stiff neck probably from playing. He was supposed to go to ice skating lessons with Daddy that night. He wasn’t too happy when Mommy said no.

We got Alex and Abby (little sister) ready for bed. Alex woke up crying several times. In the morning we woke him up and he had a fever and couldn’t walk. He said that his hands and feet felt heavy. After calling the doctor we headed to Children’s Hospital. After 9 hours in the ER with a ton of tests, the doctors really thought that he had a major infection. An MRI was recommended by Neurology as a final test to confirm what he had.

After the almost 2 hours for the test we see Alex and are on our way to go to a permanent room. We are stopped as 4 doctors approach us. We were told Alex had a mass in his spinal column that needed to be removed immediately. The mass was very large and putting pressure on his spinal cord which could lead to permanent damage. All were told is that he could end up being paralyzed or may regain back some function. Also that the surgery was risky because they didn’t know what they would see. It could last from 3-9 hours.

Alex was in surgery for 3 hours and they removed the mass which appeared to be blood but was sent to pathology. It was confirmed that there were no abnormal cells so this mass was not a tumor. Still the prognosis is unclear mainly since the surgeons have not seen this before. Alex’s hematoma was spontaneous and not from a trauma. Most instances this would happen if someone was in a car accident or hit hard. Alex’s was located high on his neck so it was as if a baseball was lined drived into him. Everything is so unknown and Alex is a special case.

Alex has had ups and downs. His lungs initially were not responding sufficiently enough to breathe on his own. This is due to the pressure on his spinal cord. He has not moved his legs or feet other than reflexive movements. Alex is fighting hard every day and still gives us his trademark looks and shakes his head yes or no to our questions when he is allowed to be awake in the hospital. Other setbacks have included a spinal cord stroke, pneumonia, H1N1 and Haemophilus Influenza bacteria all while being in the PICU.

In addition Alex’s lungs have collapsed many times and has had 10 chest tubes to try to evacuate the excess air. Alex has a trach now to help him get his lungs strong enough to breathe without too much assistance. To fix the continuous air leaks, Alex had to have surgery on his lungs. This surgery also is not a common one. The cardio thoracic surgeon was the only one offering a solution. The other departments didn’t feel Alex could get better. We would never give up on him and we are so pleased the surgery worked!

Finally after 11 weeks in the PICU, Alex has been transferred to the Children’s Institute as an inpatient. Here Alex will learn to get stronger and we will move on to the next challenge in this journey. Alex is in a wheelchair and still on a ventilator and getting feeds through a tube. Alex is able to eat anything he wants but is full after a few bites. The tube feedings are sustaining him. Alex has physical, occupational, recreation and speech therapy as well as school instruction. Our days are packed full and that is why we are here.

We appreciate and are overwhelmed with the support and love that has been given to Alex and us. Thank you for your support and God Bless Alex.

By the way Chuck and Bear are Alex’s favorite stuffed animals. They are here with him to keep him company.

Eric and Amy Brown are not only friends, and teammates but also neighbors, since October friends and neighbors have been rallying to help the family. Alex is an amazing young man who has shown incredible strength and courage..His infectious smile, and can do attitude is what reminds me so much of each and every one of you. Alex, like all of you is a Champion…

On Saturday, April 24th a 5K/5 Mile Run Walk will be held at North Park to benefit Alex and the Brown Family. Attached is the details of the event, I will also be posting on the web-site later today.

Attached is a registration form, sponsor letter and sponsor information sheet.

Sign up is also available on line

at: www.signmeup.com/68040

Below is a link to a Facebook page for this event:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=312699436392&index=1

A student of Alex’s dad at Pine Richland is organizing this event. Brian McWilliams.

I know that many members of this team are runners as well as cyclists, this is not only a good way to get ready for the marathon, but also a way to help a teammate in need. Over the past 4 years I have watched young Alex grow up(to Alex I am Mr. Jeff). I have also been moved by the strength of his parents, during this tough time. But what I have seen from Alex has not only inspired me, but so many others. This 4 year old boy, has shown strength beyond his years, and I urge each you to participate in any way you can.

I am also including the link to his Care Pages.

Read the update now:

http://www.carepages.com/carepages/ChuckandBear/updates/2535742?client_code=chp&ipc=mur

Alex is a dedicated Pens fan and this photo was taken a week before he went into the hospital. Think of it two weeks before he was admitted he had started learning how to skate…

Thank you so much!

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

-Jeff H.

Good Morning Champions for MS!

In this mornings team update I told you all of my brother in laws story. I am across this video on You Tube, I found pretty inspiring :

I just finished our second team update , Resolve to Ride…

No Excuses..Heart..Determination..Courage..We are Champions for MS!

-Jeff H.

Become a Fan using this link :

http://www.facebook.com/business/dashboard/#/pages/Champions-for-MS/253330470625

Here is a little something I have been working on which chronicles this teams history.

Let me know what you think.

Today, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of you once again. This past Tuesday evening myself and a number of our teammates attended the MS awards reception which was held at the Mayernick Center here in Pittsburgh. As promised in prior e-mails I would ask that you allow me to indulge myself on this team’s achievements during this past tour just once more:

As a team we were recognized and received 8 awards. 4 for Individual fundraising and 4 team awards.

1.) 4 Riders in the top 50 Fundraisers – Bob Wechsler $4003 #18, Chuck Tauck $3255 #21, Vanessa Ellis $2725 #34, Rick Neira $2100 #47.

2.) #1 Friends and Family Team – This incredible team delivered $51,151 to MS.

3.) Largest Team Overall – We registered 136 riders, and rode 110.

4.) Outstanding Rookie team – We received this award for reinventing ourselves as a new team, and changing from the corporate division to Friends and family team. Best results for a new team.

5.) Judy Miller Team Spirit Award – This award is given to the team which best exemplifies the spirit and the mission of this event as well as the commitment to fighting MS. I had the pleasure of writing this recommendation for our team and this is the second time we have won this award.

6.) #3 overall in Fundraising – Outstanding.

Today, I feel a little tired and very lost for words…Now I know what it’s like to get a Superbowl ring, but it’s different….It’s not about the awards, or about the ride, but sharing the experience with such an amazing group of people and making a difference in the lives of those fighting MS….

As individuals we can do good things, but as a team we can achieve greatness…

As I look back on what this team has been through since this past January, and where we are today, I could not be more proud. You all have proven that character is what defines teams. That Heart and determination can overcome adversity, and that courage is what binds this group together.

Back in January there were some who counted us out…Given the circumstances some would have walked away..Not this team…

Thank you for your trust, caring, compassion and giving so selflessly of yourselves.

You truly Champion the MS Cause…

Over the next week I will be sending out Jpeg images to all of you, of the awards we received and will be posting those same images on our team web-site and face book.

Today, I ask that all of you be proud of who you are, and know that you made a difference in the lives of those living with and fighting MS. You are all Champions in every sense of the word.

In looking ahead to 2010 I look forward to riding with you all once again as we write the next chapter in the legacy of the Champions for MS Team.

Thank you all so much!

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

-Jeff H.