Champions for MS

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.

Good Morning Champions for MS !

Now more than ever indoor training is critical to making your Bike MS experience the best it can be. Over the next few months I will be passing on links from a variety of resources to help you before we take to the road.

Here is a little something from our friends at Bicycling Magazine.

http://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/training-fitness/cycling-cross-training-selene-yeager

Thank you so much and here is to a great tour.

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

-Jeff H.

Good Afternoon Champions for MS,

 Happy New Year !

 I know it has been a long time since we last spoke. It was September since I last rode, my knees are tight and I am a little tired..Sleep has come hard for some reason, and I think I know why…Something has been nagging at me these past few weeks..Earlier today I walked upstairs and saw my trusted two wheeled friend resting on the trainer, beckoning me to get off the couch and ride for MS once again…Why..You see MS brought me back to this wonderful sport…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, volunteer, or sponsor this year’s effort…I’m not sure where this year’s journey will take us, but what I do know is we will make it memorable…

 Each year I approach the season and the new year, with a little apprehension. You see this is my 12^th year as a captain, and I know that I have asked so much from all of you.

 Here I am once again asking you for your time, energy, heart, determination, courage and one more weekend of your life to ride for someone other than yourself…

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

 This past year’s tour weekend was epic, with mother nature throwing high temps, high humidity, rain, and oh, who would forget, liquid fertilizer at us(I guess you had to be there for that one J)…

 This group has always been known for our courage, our passion, and our commitment to fighting MS, and this year was no different…

 What we achieved last year during a tough economic climate cannot and should not be minimized..Think about it, we still delivered over $29K to MS…This brings our six year total as a team to over $314K to MS…. Thank you all so much…But we are not done yet…

 I was on You Tube the other day and I think this video is our rallying cry for this year’s ride :

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqus079lUz8

 Yes our best days are ahead of us…

  Earlier this week I set up the team page…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 $25 until January 3^rd, $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….

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..

 Once again it has been an honor.
Thank you all so much!!

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

Here is to great tour J

Cheers…

-Jeff H.