Champions for MS

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.

Good Afternoon Champions for MS,

 Today, I am going to pull on your heart strings a bit..In 2007, for me the meaning of  Super Bowl Sunday changed..For ever…

 In just 3 weeks Super Bowl Sunday will be here…You may ask yourselves what does the Super Bowl have to do with riding for MS..Please allow me to indulge myself..4 years ago my mom was involved in a major car accident the week of the Super Bowl in 2007…On Super Bowl Sunday 2007 she passed away from injuries sustained in that accident(kind of fitting since she was an avid football fan)..Growing up, Sundays were usually spent with her 2 sons watching football..Much of who I am today, I owe to my mom..She was an incredibly caring and giving lady with a passion for life..She always cared more for others than herself…When I first became involved with MS, she was always very proud and interested in how the teams were doing. On occasion a rider would receive a note and a check in the mail from this mystery lady from NH, wishing them luck and telling them how proud she was of them…The note was always signed Mrs. H. But there is more..

 In 2007 I was not sure there was going to be a team, In early March I lost another member of my family, an uncle who I was very close to..

 I decided to go forward with the team anyway, and proceeded to host a series of lunch and learns..I knew, I had to suck it up, because my mom would not want me to use her as an excuse for not helping those who needed me and my teams so much…The day before the second lunch and learn and the week before my birthday I received a card, in the mail with a check for $100 written in her hand..My emotions started to get the best of me, you see she had passed away 6 weeks before..I contacted her husband only to find out the card and check were mailed out the day of the accident, and must have gotten lost in the mail..So how could I not ride..I guess it was her way telling me not to give up..So, every Super Bowl Sunday, we celebrate life, and my mom’s legacy of giving.…Today, she lives on through me and in many respects each of you who choose to join me on this journey…  

 I guess it’s my destiny to ride for those with MS and to share this experience with any and all who might be interested in joining me…

 You see I can’t do this alone…I need your help… To ride, To volunteer, or To sponsor this year’s effort…

 This group has proven that character defines champions, and yes We are Champions…Character is not defined by the colors we wear, but by what’s inside, each and every one of us…And this team is rich in character…

 I’m not sure where this year’s journey will take us, but I guarantee it will be memorable…

 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…

 But we are not done yet…

 We are all Warriors in the fight against MS…I came across these clips which relate to who we are and our journey..These clips are from the movie Peaceful Warrior…

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BBDexSzmMM&feature=related

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRShWun7Mc4&feature=related

 Our best days are ahead of us…

 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.

 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..

 Communication this year will be through our Team web-site, Twitter, and weekly team updates..

 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…

 E-mail

 To be honest I would prefer to get away from using it, but you told me last year that weekly updates are necessary, and then our final 10 day count down to the tour..I will also post these updates on the web-site…

You tell me what you want…

 Training

 Well part of this is up to the weather gods…Evening training rides will begin at the start of daylight savings time March 13^th, or there abouts..Watch the web-site for updates…All evening rides will be operated out of Imperial at the mile 8 parking area on the Montour trail on McClarren road (Directions will be posted on the web-site)..

 Weekend Rides : 3^rd or 4^th week of February, Will be operated out of North Park and or Imperial.. (over the last 2 years NP has become very busy with Marathon traffic, so I would like to refrain from training in the Park) Watch the web-site for updates…

 Do you have a passion to lead rides? Or do you have a favorite route? Let me know, and we will post it up..

 We need ride leaders, if you would like to volunteer please let me know..

  So I ask you now and in the coming weeks leading up to Super  Bowl Sunday to celebrate life and commit to fighting MS with me in 2011…
Thank you all so much!!

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

-Jeff H.