National MS Society - Bike Event: BIKE_VAR_FAQ

Q. Who can participate in the ride? Are there age restrictions?
A. The Bike MS Ride is designed for the riders of all ages and cycling abilities. The minimum age for participation is 12. All riders 16 years old and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult over the age of 21 at all times. All riders under 18 must have a signed, notarized waiver.

Q. How long will the ride last?
A. On Saturday you will ride approximately 75 miles with rest stops every 12-16 miles. For those looking for an extra challenge, we have an optional 25-mile loop (Century Loop) on Saturday to give those cyclists 100 total miles. The route closes at 4pm. Typically cyclists are completed between 2 and 4pm. Riders still on the loop will ride a SAG vehicle to the Saturday night destination. Sunday's route will close at 3pm.

Q. What is the ONE DAY option?
A. We have the One-Day Option for riders who are able to ride on Sunday only or who want a shorter route. Riders choosing this option will leave from the official Start Line in Richmond and ride either a 25-mile loop or a 50-mile loop; returning to the Finish Line. The One-Day cyclists are eligible to celebrate with the two-day cyclists at the Finish Line festivities on Sunday afternoon.

Q. Where is the start/finish line in Richmond?
A. The Start/Finish line is at 2112 W. Laburnum Ave., Richmond, VA 23227. This is the business park where the office of the Central Virginia Chapter of the National MS Society is located.

Q. Where is the finish/start line in Williamsburg?
A. The Finish/Start line is at the Williamsburg Marriott on 50 Kingsmill Rd., Williamsburg. This is near the entrance to Busch Gardens.

Q. What time does the ride start?
A. Saturday, May 22nd the start time in Richmond is 7:30am
    Sunday, May 23rd the start time in Williamsburg is 7:00am
    Sunday, May 23rd the start time in Richmond for the 50-mile riders is 9:30am
    Sunday, May 23rd the start time in Richmond for the 25-mile riders is 9:30am

Q. What if it rains the weekend of the ride?
A. We ride rain or shine. If it rains, grab your poncho - you have trained for months and we want you to be able to complete this course. If there are severe storms with high winds, hail or torrential rains, the ride will be cancelled or the course closed during the weekend. We want to assure the safety of our cyclists. Registration fees are non-refundable.

Q. Can I have someone follow me on the route in case I don't make it?
A. In the interest of safety, we limit motorized traffic along our route as much as we can....since we cannot close the roads completely. This means that private SAG (Support & Gear) vehicles ARE NOT ALLOWED on the bike route. All vehicles traveling with our cyclists will be OFFICAL RIDE VEHICLES. There will be official SAG vehicles and motorcycle escorts to care for you along the route. Alternate routes for your friends and family, to the finish line in Williamsburg, will be available online.

Q. How does my gear get to Williamsburg?
A. UPS will truck your 1-2 pieces of luggage from the Start Line in Richmond to the Finish Line in Williamsburg on Saturday. Luggage will be dropped off at the Williamsburg Marriott, the Quality Inn and the Courtyard Marriott. On Sunday the UPS trucks will pick up your luggage at these same points to return it to Richmond.

Q. What am I responsible for bringing with me on the ride?
A. Divide your gear into 2 piles:

ITEMS TO CARRY WITH YOU ON THE RIDE

Identification
Emergency Cash (for bike repairs)
Helmet (REQUIRED)
Car keys
Bike MS Bib #
Bike MS Frame #
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Water bottle(s)
Medications you might need
Patch kits
Spare tube(s)
Tire Pump (optional - they will be available in SAG vehicles and at rest stops)

ITEMS NEEDED FOR OVERNIGHT

Bike MS luggage tags - on your bag(s)
Change of clothes for dinner
Riding clothes for Sunday
Toiletries (hotels should have soap & shampoo)
Any medications you might need
Lawn chair to sit out and enjoy the band
Swimsuit if you want to enjoy the swimming pool

Q. Where do I leave my bike on Saturday night so that it will be safe?
A. You are able to keep your bikes with you in your hotel rooms.

Q. Do I have to wear a helmet?
A. YES! For your safety and welfare, YOU MUST WEAR A HELMET when riding in any of the rides. If you do not currently own a helmet, you need to purchase one before the Bike MS Ride. They are available at your local bike shops.

Q. Can I pull a trailer or tag along?
A. No tag alongs, carriers or trailers may be pulled by any bikes. This is for the safety of everyone involved.

Q. What kind of food can I expect during the ride?
A. Our volunteer staffed rest stops (placed every 12-16 miles) provide nutritious fruits, snacks, water and Gatorade. Lunch will be served at Rest Stop #3 both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday Night there is a buffet dinner at the Williamsburg Marriott. On Sunday there is a picnic at the Finish Line in Richmond.

Q. Will breakfast be available before we start on Saturday morning?
A. Breakfast will not be served on Saturday morning, except in the VIP tent for cyclists who raise $2,000 or more. There will be some snacks and water available.

Q. Can I bring guests to dinner on Saturday night?
A. Yes, but you will need to purchase a wristband for them. Your first guest is $10 and each additional guest is $30. All children 9 years and under are $5. These wristbands will be on sale in Willamsburg at the finish line.

Q. Can I bring guests to the picnic on Sunday afternoon?
A. Yes, but you will need to obtain a wristband for them. If they purchased a wristband for the Saturday night dinner, they can use this same wristband for Sunday lunch...at no additional charge. For Sunday lunch only, the first wristband is free and all others beyond that are $5 each. They can be purchased online in our Event Store or at the Finish Line in Richmond.

Q. What do the different colors of the bibs mean?
A. Here is what the colors designate:

Yellow - our top fundraisers from 2009. The number signifies their rank. If you are wearing a yellow bib, you are invited to the front of the start line to help lead us out of Richmond (this is optional, not required)
Blue - cyclists who have ridden with Bike MS before
White - first time Bike MS cyclists
Note: If you are a first time rider and need help or have questions, please ask a blue or yellow bib for assistance. If you are blue or yellow bib and see a white bib that needs help, please lend them a hand.

REGISTRATION

Q. How much does it cost to ride in the Bike MS ride?
A. The registration fee is $45 until March 15, 2010. After this date the registration fee will be $55. Registration the day of the ride is $70. Every rider MUST raise a minimum of $250 to be turned in BEFORE the ride. Of course more is always appreciated. If you are on a team, $250 is required PER TEAM MEMBER, not a team fundraising average of $250/member.

Q. I forgot my User Name and/or Password.
A. Remeber that your Username and Password are case sensitive. The system automatically lower cases your Username and Password. If you are having trouble, you can contact Lisa Simpich at lisa.simpich@nmss.org or 804-591-3041.

Q. How do I change my User Name and/or Password?
A. First, login to the site using your Username and Password. Once logged in you will see a link at the top of the page called "UPDATE MY PROFILE." Once in your profile, you will be able to change your contact information, email address, Username and Password. All changes will be made to your account immediately. There is no need to sign in again.

Q. I cannot find my team from last year. How do I register with my team?
A. Unfortunately our system does not carry forward teams from 2009 to automatically be listed for this year's ride. If you do not see your team, contact your team captain and ask them to get your team registered for this year so that the other team members can register as well.

Q. I registered as a team captain but need to change to a team member. How do I do this?
A. Please contact Lisa Simpich at lisa.simpich@nmss.org or 804-591-3041 to make this change. She will also be able to change participants to team captains and co-captains as well.

FUNDRAISING

Q. Is the fundraising requirement in addition to the registration fee I paid?
A. The $250 fundraising minimum requirement is in addition to your registration fee. Registration fees help to offset direct costs of supporting the ride, so they are not included in your fundraising. Every person....both individuals and each team member...must raise $250 and turn it in before they can ride.

Q. Is there a kit that I can use for collecting donations?
A. There are tools for fundraising and for collecting money on this website. Visit our Fundraising Page for details.

Q. What is the best way to collect donations?
A. Online through your Participant Center. The money is immediately added to your total and your donor can print out a receipt for tax purposes.

Q. I made an online donation but want to change who it is credited to.
A. Please contact Lisa Simpich at lisa.simpich@nmss.org or 804-591-3041 to have the donation reallocated to the correct participant.

Q. Someone made a donation to my team, rather than to a team member. Can it be changed?
A. Yes it can. Please contact Lisa Simpich at lisa.simpich@nmss.org or 804-591-3041 to make this change.

Q. Where do I turn in donations I receive?
A. Either you can mail or bring in the donations to the Chapter office between 9-5pm, Monday through Friday.
    National MS Society
    2112 W. Laburnum Ave., Ste. 204
    Richmond, VA 23227

    Attn: Bike MS

Q. What if my donor makes the check payable to me?
A. No problem. Just endorse the back "Payable to NMSS." Then sign it and send it to us.

Q. Can I turn in money on the day of the event?
A. We encourage you to turn in your donations prior to the day of the event. But, if you want to bring money on Saturday morning to the ride, we will gladly accept it.

Q. When is the final deadline for turning in donations?
A. You must turn in the donation minimum of $250 before May 22, 2010. In order to be eligible for the Top Fundraiser yellow jersey and/or other awards, the money must be received no later than Friday, May 21st at noon. You can continue to turn in donations until June 30, 2010 in order to be eligible for incentives. Make it easier on yourself and have sponsors make their donations on the Bike MS website in Your Participant Center.

USING MY PARTICIPANT CENTER

Q. What is a Personal Page?
A. A Personal Page is an online promotional tool for your use when asking your friends and family to join your team and/or sponsor you by making a donation. Once you sign up for the bike ride, online, you will have a personal page created for you by default. You have the option of personalizing this page by going to your Participant Center. You will be able to upload photos and customize the text, the style/color and layout of the page.

Q. By default I have a personal page; do I have to change it?
A. Once you register for the Bike MS ride you will have a personal page created for you. A compelling personal page attracts and engages supporters. Statistically riders who regularly update their Personal Page, raise about twice as much money as those who never change their page. While you can spread the word using customized email solicitations, your personal webpage can be your own create expression of your commitment to the cause. Customize your page by selecting the layout and style that works best for you. Utilize the elements of text, photos, and status indicators to their fullest advantage. There is even a place for you to blog about your training journey.

Q. What is the difference between making my personal page private or public?
A. By default a personal page is Public, meaning your name will appear in the participant search list and anyone accessing the site will be able to support you. Setting your personal page to Private means your name will not appear in the participant search list and only people you personally invite will be able to support you.

Q. How do I change my personal fundraising goal?
A. You will need to login to your Participant Center. ON the bottom right side of the Participant Center home page is the location to modify your personal fundraising goal. Enter your new goal and submit the changes. Tip: Once you reach your goal, go back in and raise it. You'll be surprised that people will continue to sponsor you, if they believe you are still trying to reach your goal.

Q. How can I see who is on my team?
A. Login to the site using your Username and Password. Go to your Participant Center and click on the "Team Progress" tab. This will allow you to view your team roster and the amounts raised by each team member.

Q. How do I change my team name, team division or team goal?
A. Only the Team Captain has the ability to change the team name or team division. The Team Captain will need to login to his/her Participant Center and click the "My Team Progress" button on the upper right. On the Team Progress page, Team Captains will have the ability to update the team name, division and goal.

Q. How can I see who has donated to me?
A. Login to the site using your Username and Password. Go to your Participant Center and click the "My Progress" tab. This will allow you to view your donor list and the amounts that have been donated. This is important so you know who to thank after the event.

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National MS Society · Central Virginia Chapter
2112 W Laburnum Avenue, Suite 204, Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 591-3034 · judy.griffin@nmss.org
© 2009 The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, All Rights Reserved.
All registration fees and donations for this event are nonrefundable.