by Rick Griffin
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Pacific South Coast Chapter will host its 31st annual Bike MS Bay to Bay Tour, a cycling fundraiser to be held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20. Four different cycling rides of 15, 25, 100 and 150 miles are available. Officials expect about 2,500 riders will raised an expected $2 million in donations for MS research and programs and services for people affected by MS, a chronic, unpredictable and disabling disease of the central nervous system with no known cause, cure or prevention. Sponsors include Hansen Beverage Co., KSWB-TV Fox 5 San Diego and KTLA-TV Channel 5 Los Angeles. Registration is open and information is available at www.BikeToFinishMS.com.
Registration donation minimums vary from $150 to $400 per rider depending on which one of the four rides is selected. The fundraiser is open to all levels of cyclists ranging from beginner to expert. The minimum age limit for riders is 12 years. Riders raising the highest dollar amount will be eligible for a variety of incentives and prizes. In the past, the fundraiser has reached its limit of 2,500 riders, the maximum number allowed for safety reasons. Cyclists will include people living with MS, as well as friends and family members of people who have MS. The Bike MS event has been voted “Best Cycling Event” for the past six years by the readers of Competitor Magazine.