Hello Bike MS Cyclist!
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Inside this Issue:
Weekend Training Rides
Please join us for an upcoming ride!
Saturday, January 26th
- Beginner training ride in Glendale: Please Note that this ride has been cancelled for Jan. 26.
(The ride leader will be at the Gaining Momentum program! It's not too late for you to join us, too.)
- Tempe training ride from Kiwanis Park
Sunday, January 27th
- Training ride from Fountain Hills
The ride will begin at 7:30 a.m. from the main fountain in Fountain Park. We will ride out past Rio Verde to Alma School and back. This ride is between 40 -50 miles with SAG support.
- NEW: All-level training ride in Tucson
Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Pei Wei Asain Diner on Oracle and Ina. There will be two ride options available: the advanced- level route is 33 miles and the intermediate option is 22 miles. If anyone wants to do an even shorter route they can break off at Lambert & 1st and head back. We will enjoy lunch at Pei Wei following the ride. For more information about this ride contact Lynette at 520-425-9640 or Lynn at 520-248-1804.
Upcoming Round Up Ride Events
Gaining Momentum Exposition and Annual Meeting
Saturday, January 26, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
The Phoenician
While this program is not specific to Bike MS, we will have our own Round Up Ride table with information and registration available. All of our current and past cyclists are encouraged to attend Gaining Momentum to learn more about multiple sclerosis, meet Arizona Chapter staff, volunteers and top fundraisers and find more ways to join the movement. Online registration has closed but you can still register at the program for $5.00. Details.
Bike MS: Round Up Ride Kickoff in Tucson
Saturday, February 2nd
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Swan & Sunrise
Hear guest speakers talk about the Round Up Ride, participate in a silent auction, enjoy complimentary appetizers, meet other cyclists in Tucson and have a great time! Bring your team or anyone interested in registering for the ride. Please RSVP to Carolyne at creed@aza.nmss.org.
Bike MS: Round Up Ride Kickoff in Scottsdale
Saturday, February 16th
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Discount Tire Corporate Office (20225 N. Scottsdale Rd.; Scottsdale, AZ 85255)
Learn all about the Round Up Ride at our kickoff event! The morning will start with a short 10-15 mile training ride at 8:00 a.m., so bring your bike and helmet. Don't want to ride? Join us for Round Up Ride festivities starting at 9:00 a.m. Enjoy food, information about the ride, meet other cyclists, turn in pledge money and more. Bring a friend or family member- registration for the ride will be available. Please RSVP to Sarah at smeeks@aza.nmss.org.
Team Week Winners
Congratulations to the following teams who registered the most team members during each day of Team Cultivation Week, January 14-18, 2008! They have each won fast passes for their entire team to the beer tent at the overnight celebration as well as passes to the V.I.P. port-a-potty at the event.
Monday Winner: APS Power Peddlers with 2 registrations
Tuesday Winner: Main Street Mashers with 3 registrations
Wednesday Winner: Team Circle K with 7 registrations
Thursday Winner: Jen's Team with 3 registrations
Friday Winner: Discount Tire with 13 registrations
Fundraising For a Cause
Are You Above Average?
Even though all cyclists must raise a minimum of $250 to participate in the Round Up Ride, the average Bike MS participant raises $750!
Get started by downloading your fundraising kit today
Even if you fall below the average you can still get great prizes by turning in just $500. Participants (volunteers, too!) who raise $500 or more can choose to get a Round Up Ride jersey or a prize mailed to them after the event*. Keep in mind that the prizes get better with the more money you raise.
Gain VIP Status
Individuals who raise $1,500 or more will be a Round Up Ride VIP and will gain access to the exclusive VIP tent at the start, overnight and finish area.**
Be a Top Team
Teams that collectively raise $10,000 or more will receive their own team tent to celebrate together at the start, overnight and finish area.**
You Deserve a Vacation
Riders who raise $10,000 or more can choose a free trip to the National Tour of Champions where they will join other top fundraisers in Orlando, FL next February.
*A prize form must be completed and returned to the Arizona Chapter after the event in order to receive your jersey or prize. Prize forms will be available online following the ride.
**All funds must be turned in to the Arizona Chapter by Wednesday, March 26, 2008 to qualify.
Round Up Ride Superstars
These individuals and teams are really working hard to move toward a world free of MS! Follow their lead and you may be listed as a Round Up Ride Superstar in the next issue of Shifting Gears.
Top Individual Fundraisers
1 - Bob Hobbs Jr. ($9,700.00)
2 - George Brunell ($4,840.00)
3 - Debi Slater ($4,095.00)
4 - Patty Gray ($2,400.00)
5 - Barrie Meyerson ($2,340.00)
Top Fundraising Teams
1 - Team Hope Vision Passion ($12,427.23)
2 - Team TRC ($4,840.00)
3 - Howard S. Wright Constructors Phoenix Bike Team ($4,555.00)
4 - Inspiration ($3,500.00)
5 - Discount Tire ($2,235.00)
Top Teams By Size
1. Discount Tire (58)
2. Team Circle K (40)
3. Jen's Team (18)
4. Ride for Life (16)
5. Clear Channel (15)
6. Team Trilogy (15)
A Call for Volunteers
We are currently seeking active individuals and community-minded groups to volunteer for the Round Up Ride. Our volunteers receive the same special treatment as our cyclists (free shirt, food, lots of fun) because they are just as important to making our event a success! Volunteering is also a great way to get your non-cycling loved ones to experience Bike MS with you. There are many opportunities available, but we especially need people with pick-up trucks to help distribute supplies along the route.
Forward this message on and tell your school/ work/ place of worship/ community group/ friends/ family to follow your lead and join the movement to create a world free of MS! Volunteers can easily sign up online or they can get more information by calling 480-968-2488, option 2, between 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Why We Ride
 I am Kathy Ramert and this is a picture of me with my “girlies” Katy Scarlott, the boxer and Queen Willamina aka Peanut, the wiener dog. I live in Tucson, Arizona with my girlies I have lived in Tucson now since January 2002. I moved here from Katy, Texas where I lived for 25 years. I have two children. They both live in Colorado and have grown into people whom I truly like and admire. That is what I consider my biggest accomplishment in life! I began having “strange” physical symptoms in 1997 (numbness, tingling, and balance issues) at which time I had my first of 6 MRIs the neurologist came back and said “Well, at least you don’t have a brain tumor.” Brain tumor? That never occurred to me then I heard the words multiple sclerosis he also said there was not enough evidence for a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Again, multiple sclerosis, what the heck is that? I spent time in the library and online finding the answer. My symptoms went away and did not reappear until 1999 at which time I got a positive diagnosis of MS. I am on drug therapy and have been since 1999. It gets old and is very expensive, but it also gives me hope that I’ll be physically able to do things with my grandchildren and continue to live independently with my “girlies”. This is my goal and hopefully you can help me accomplish this! I am an MS Ambassador and had the privilege of representing the Arizona Chapter in Washington DC last year for the MS Awareness Day. I have also been on the Tucson Walk MS Committee for the last 4 years along with being involved with the Arizona Chapter’s Programs Committee and Government Relations Committee.
Thank You!
Kathy
Bike MS Online
Many online tools are available to you for free through your online participant center. Log-in today to update your personal page, send notes to your supporters, check your fundraising progress and more! If you do not know you username/password, please call 1-800-344-4867, option 2 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or email info@aza.nmss.org.
Web Tip of the Week
Did you know that you can create your own Bike MS blog? Keep your family, friends and supporters updated with posts about your training, why you are cycling for Bike MS, stories about fundraising or anything else you want to write about.
To create your own personal blog, log-in to your participant center and click the link that says 'Personal Page' on the top of the Welcome Screen. Then click on the link that says "click here to open this page for editing". On this page you can update your personal page and start your blog (the blog section can be found at the bottom of the page).
New Posts to the Round Up Ride Website
Thank You to our Sponsors
Scottsdale Insurance Company
Bike MS: Round Up Ride
March 29-30, 2008
Florence, AZ
http://bikeaza.nationalmssociety.org/
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