Forza Bike Drawing Rescheduled

We have had a slight change in plans and will be drawing for the Forza bike NEXT WEEK. We had planned to do it on September 1, after the pledge deadline, but I had to be out of the office unexpectedly and we also need to get the money that was turned in for the deadline entered so we can accurately track who gets how many entries.

So, the drawing will be next week (probably Wednesday or Thursday, once the data entry has been done) and I will send out an email at that time letting you know who the winner is.

Hope you have a great Labor Day weekend and thanks for ALL your fundraising efforts. Those living with MS in our area are truly appreciative and truly do benefit from your hard work.

Win this bike!

Don't forget about the Forza stationary bike give-a-way courtesy of our friends at The Ground Cafe.

A drawing for the bike will be held September 1st. You'll receive one entry for every $500 you raise! Even if you've already met your $200 pledge minimum, considering making the push to get to $500. It's a tough year for everyone and especially those living with one of the most expensive diseases--MS.

Bike MS 2009 Photos are up!

http://photos1.walmart.com/share/p=994131250192422429/l=339738001/g=7045821/cobrandOid=1011/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

This is the link to a collection of photos from volunteers, staff and cyclists. If you can't click on the link, copy and paste it into your browser. You may order photos from the site or right click on the photo and save it to your computer. If there's a specific file you'd like e-mailed to you, just let me know which one. If you have any photos to share, email them to april.brownlee@nmss.org and I'll add them to the album.

Also, please don't forget prize forms are due August 31. If you have turned in more money than is shown on the form it is probably because money turned in after 7/26/09 has not yet been deposited, but will be soon. Just fill in the correct amount and return the form if you're due a prize. If you're not due a prize, you may disregard. Prizes will be ordered after the pledge deadline. It generally takes 12 to 14 weeks for us to receive the prizes, so they will likely be in around late November-early December.

Thanks for riding! We're already looking ahead to 2010 and would love to hear any feedback, comments, suggestions, requests, etc. Sometimes resources and rules or regulations prevent us from doing certain things, but we'll consider pretty much anything. We're always looking to enhance the ride and make it bigger and better.

Watch your in-box, our website and the Bike MS blog for a 2010 registration special in December and January. It will be a one-time offer you won't want to miss.

Coolness from You Tube

Copy and paste this into your browser...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn29DvMITu4

Upcoming Bike MS Events!

Monday, June 22
Cookout @ Gander Mountain following the Monday night Windbreaker's ride (ride starts at 6:30)

Thursday, June 25
Bicycle Maintenance and Repair Clinic
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Bicycle Depot, 34th & Georgia
Pizza & Drinks Provided

Wednesday, July 8
Ice Cream Social @ Gander Mountain following Windbreaker's Wednesday night ride (ride begins at 6:30)

Saturday, July 11
"Ham in a Day" amateur radio training class
Call April at 468-8005, ext 26 for more info

Tuesday, July 14
CPR Certification Class
6pm to 10 pm
Call April at 468-8005, ext 26 for more info

Monday, July 20
Early Packet Pick up
5:30 pm to 7 pm
NMSS Office

Also, if you TURN IN $500 or more by July 15, you'll receive your prize jersey prior to the Bike MS ride!

Order Your Veteran Jersey

If you've ridden BP Bike MS-The Wild West Ride for three or more years, you qualify for a veteran jersey. Jersey's are $45 each and may be ordered by emailing april.brownlee@nmss.org. Just specify your size. You may send a check, pay with a credit card or pay at registration/check-in prior to the event. Orders are due by August 15.

Take A Stand Against MS

You (or your kiddos!) are invited to take a Stand Against MS on Saturday, June 27. Here's how it works:

· Set up a lemonade stand on Saturday, June 27
· You may host your stand any time of day
· Stands can be in front of your home, at your church or office, even a business (please ask for their approval)
· Accept donations for the lemonade rather than setting a price, with all proceeds benefitting the Panhandle Office of the National MS Society
· All supplies are provided by the person/group hosting stand
· Great opportunity for any person of any age or even a group to help bring us closer to a world free of MS.
· May be used as a fundraiser for Bike MS

BP Bike MS 2009 Special Events/Promotions Announced

Several special recruitment, promotional and informational opportunities are planned to promote BP Bike MS 2009. Details will be added as they become available. Door prizes, drawings and/or Bike MS registration incentives will be available at each event. Spouses/children are also welcome to attend.

Free Bike MS Registration!
First week of June to July 24, 2009
Bicycle Deopt, 34th & Georgia, Amarillo
Purchase a bicycle and receive free registration to BP Bike MS 2009.

Win a cool stationary bike!
First week of June to end of August
The Ground Café, ground floor of the Chase Building
Take a break at the Ground and see the stationary bike they’ve donated as a fundraising incentive for Bike MS cyclists. Raise just $500 and be entered in a drawing to win the bike. Drawing will be held after pledge deadline of August 28, 2009.

Cookout
Date TBA
Cookout will follow the Monday Windbreaker’s ride
Gander Mountain Parking lot

League of American Bicyclists Training Opportunity
Date/Time/cost TBA
This optional training class is available to Bike MS cyclists at their own expense. More details TBA.

Bicycle Maintenance & Repair Clinic
Thursday, June 25, 2009
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Bicycle Depot
34th & Georgia
Pizza and soft drinks provided

Ice Cream Social
Wednesday, July 8
Ice Cream served following the Wednesday ride

Bike MS Website the Place to Go for Info

The Panhandle Office of the National MS Society's Bike MS website, http://biketxp.nationalmssociety.org has been updated to show all the latest info on Bike MS 2009, from training information, to downloadable materials, special events. sponsor logos and more. Check it out!

BP Title Sponsorship Check Presentation

Perry Stegall, BP Team Captain, and Kim Britten of BP present Bike MS title sponsorship check of $10,000 to April Brownlee of the National MS Society.

NMSS Featured in Amairllo Uptown

Check it out...

http://issuu.com/agnnewmedia/docs/may_09_uptown/21

2009 Jersey Designs Announced

Here's a sneak peek at our 2009 jersey designs. We're still working on choosing a photo to appropriately represent our area. Feel free to e-mail your suggestion. The photo will replace the mountains in the mock design you see posted.

The yellow is for our Top Fundraisers ($1000 or more) and the orange is our standard tour jersey for fundraisers who reach $500.

Top Fundraiser jerseys will be handed out PRIOR to Bike MS, so get your money in early and you'll have your jersey to wear in our 2009 ride!

For more info, contact April at 806-468-8005, ext 26.

Announcing... a Shorter Route Option at Bike MS!

We're excited to announce something new in 2009--a shorter route option. The new, 50-mile route option will open the ride up for cyclists who are unprepared to ride the full 150, and to families who want to join in the fun. The new route follows will also allow the 50-mile cyclists to start, lunch, and finish with all the other cyclists so that they get the full experience of Bike MS. The full $200 minimum pledge still applies to all cyclists, regardless of mileage. There is a $30 registration fee for individual cyclists or a flat team fee of $100. Cyclists riding the shorter route may also register with any existing team!

Here's how it works:

All cyclists start at starting line
50 mile cyclists ride from start to rest stop 3
50 mile cyclists are SAG'd from rest stop 3 to rest stop 6
50 mile cyclists ride from rest stop 6 to rest stop 7
50 mile cyclists are SAG'd to lunch (rest stop 8)
50 mile cyclists are SAG'd to hill going into Canadian, where they ride downhill and cross the official finish line

Tell your friends, family and co-workers and help us spread the word! As always, anyone can register online at mspanhandle.org or by calling 806-468-8005, ext 26.

Visit us on Facebook!

Since Myspace is so yesterday, BP Bike MS has joined the Facebook movement. Join our event and spread the word1

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=47227534339&ref=mf#/ical/event.php?eid=47227534339

Here's our Walk MS page, too!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=47227534339&ref=mf#/event.php?eid=59829697563&ref=mf

Register now for our VIRTUAL bike event!

Registration is now open for our Virtual Bike MS event. Just follow this link to register online:

http://biketxp.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXPBikeEvents?pg=entry&fr_id=11490

There is a $100 minimum pledge, due by March 20.

Choose your gym: Gold's, The DAC, Amarillo Town Club

Every participant gets: water, snacks, a t-shirt courtesy of The Ground Cafe

Space is limited at each gym, so don't wait! It is first come only. Register today!

Word to the Wise...

Myspace Fun Flash Generator

New Accommodations in Canadian!

You'll be as excited as we were to learn there are some BRAND NEW accommodations in Canadian!



The Quiet Inn at 200 Cedar (806-323-6111) opened a few months ago and a Best Western is going up right now.

It looks like the Quiet Inn *may* be our new Canadian Headquarters, as well as our new finish location.

We are working on securing negotiated rates and blocking off rooms at both of these Canadian hotels as well as some hotels in Amarillo. Stay tuned for further updates!

Missed our 2008 ride?

Here are some great photos of BP Bike MS 2008 from photographers Michael Wilhelm and Whitney Hodges (daughter of Mike Robertson-Western Builders). Thanks to them for capturing our event so beautifully!

Check out their links for great shots like this one from Michael:

http://www.wrongwayphotos.com/

Or this one from Whitney:

http://www.whitneydawn.phanfare.com/

Kinda makes you want to make sure you don't miss our 2009 ride, doesn't it?!