Rider Week Winners!

Congratulations to the 114 Bike MS participants who raised at least $100 last week from Monday through Friday to win extra goodies at Bike MS! Overall, you raised more than $33,450 last week - way to go!

Raise $100 = Ice Cream!

These fundraisers will enjoy an ice cream treat after dinner on June 12:

Matt	Allen
Eric	Allgaier
John	Andrews
Peter	Berty
Gwen	Bettwy
Nikki	Brand
Ann	Brickley
Paul	Brockman
Anthony	Busog
Kesia	Carlson
Thomas	Clancy
Matthew	Clash-Drexler
Byron	Cody
Andrew	Condit
Zara	Dang
Jason	DeShano
John	Edwards
Laurie	Erdman
Angelo	Esposito
Billy	Favis
Ryan	Fleming
Nathan	Ha
Brenton	Hamilton
Patricia	Hardy
Spencer	Hart
Kathleen	Higgs
Wendy	Ho
Seema	Khalsa
Daphne	Kiplinger
Jennifer	Kirby
Sharon	Klugiewicz
Mary Lou	Kniss
James	LaTorre
Paul	Lee
Heather	LeFever
Kristen	Linn
Cory	Livingston
Edward	Marcey
Rich	McKinless
Laura	Milazzo
Bennett	Minton
Derek	Mooney
Shannon	Morrison
Jason	Munck
Khalid	Namez
Fabien	Navidi-Kasmai
Bryan	Pai
Jazmin	Porras
Terri	Seymour
Barry	Shapiro
Darlene	Shenier
Susan	Stewart
Alvin	Sulit
Healey	Sutton
Robert	Turman
Millie	Ugay
Penny	Whitney
Bill	Yorde
Darrell	Zlotnic

Raise $200 = Ice Cream + EXTRA Beer

Not only do these fundraisers get a special ice cream treat, but they also get an extra pint of beer on June 12th:

Kristin	Benton
Suzanne	Cervarich
Joshua	Fitzhugh
Devon	Halley
Perry	Higgs
Eric	Mosso
Joe	Reiman
Mike	Saadvandi
Danielle	Scialdo
Bobby	Small
Melissa	Sonnon
William	Tate
Mary	Tyler
Linda	Wankow

Raise $250+ = Beer + Ice Cream + Hotel Room at The Inn at Meadowkirk*

Bike MS participants in this category will not enjoy ice cream and an extra beer, but they were also entered into a raffle for the opportunity to rent a room at The Inn for Bike MS weekend:

Troy	Anderson
Richard	Beahm
David	Bourne
Jeff	Chaloupek
Min	Cho
Sean	Clark
Bill	Colbert
Andrea	Condit
Gary	Conner
Lindsay	Conway
Marie	Copoulos
Rebecca	Donovan
Harriet	Finkle
Nate	Gabig
Rick	Gentry
Charles	Hagman
Mike	Harvey
Louis	Kluger
Jason	Kristall
Lisa	Kurdziel
Linda	McAdams
Andrew	McCasker
Michael	McCloud
Evan	Miller
Andrea	Mirkow
Brian	Morrison
Katherine	Morse
Robert	Moseley
Jason	Navon
Taryn	Null
Gene	Olig
Joshua	Powers
Elizabeth	Reno
Bill	Savage
Luann	Sinclair
Dan	Stoltz
Christina	Synowiec
Jason	Trust
Carlos	Velez, Jr.
Alex	Weaver
Robert	Wilhelmy

Congratulations again to all of our winners! We'll see you at Bike MS!

Are you ready to win?

Bike MS is awesome, and it is even better with extra beer, yummy ice cream, and a hotel room at The Inn at Meadowkirk! From Monday, May 17 through Friday, May 21, we're rewarding Bike MS participants who show us the dough!

Raise $100 = Ice Cream!

If you raise $100 or more online during May 17th through the 21st, we'll reward you with an ice cream treat to enjoy post-dinner on June 12.

Raise $200 = Ice Cream + EXTRA Beer

Riding up hills gets easier when there is an extra pint of beer waiting for you at the finish line. Every cyclist (of age) gets two beer tickets. Raise $200 or more online during this promotion you'll receive an extra drink. It is our little way of saying THANKS!

Raise $250+ = Beer + Ice Cream + Hotel Room at The Inn at Meadowkirk*

Raise $250 or more this week, and you'll enjoy ice cream, an extra beer and will be entered into a raffle for the opportunity to rent a room at The Inn for Bike MS weekend. The Inn is a quaint hotel on site, just steps from the food, band, and beer garden. These rooms are reserved for TOP FUNDRAISERS, and this is your ONLY chance to win a room.
*The room rental fee is $210 for the entire weekend (Friday - Sunday, June 11-13).

Need some tips? Visit the fundraising page on our website!

TEAM WEEK RESULTS

Team Week is over - and it was a smashing success.

The results:

Challenge 1: Largest Team (fundraising team members: cyclists or Super Spokes crew members)

• THE WINNER: Deloitte Cycling with 45 cyclists
• Runner Up #1: PricewaterhouseCoopers with 42 fundraisers (41 cyclist & 1 Super Crew)
• Runner Up #2: KPMG with 37 fundraisers (36 cyclists & 1 Super Crew) 

Challenge 2: Highest Fundraising Team

• THE WINNER: KPMG with $22,400
• Runner Up #1: Babes and Babe Magnets on Bikes with $9,825
• Runner Up #2: Deloitte Cycling with $7,972

Challenge 3: EVERY TEAM MEMBER (fundraising) YOU REGISTER THIS WEEK will give your team one raffle ticket for a chance to win

• THE WINNER: Deloitte Cycling with 14 new cyclists
• Runner Up #1: PricewaterhouseCoopers with 9 new cyclists
• Runner Up #2: Team Trust with 8 new cyclists

Each Challenge winner will receive the opportunity to rent a team cabin at the start/finish/overnight at Meadowkirk. If a team declines the cabin, it will be offered to the next runner up.

Super sneaky bonus challenge: Team that registers the most volunteers last week

• THE WINNER: Deloitte Cycling, who will be enjoying a $25 gift certificate to Red Hot & Blue!

CONGRATULATIONS to all teams who increased their team size or fundraising last week. Remember, we have six weeks until Bike MS - now's the time to kick your training, recruiting, and fundraising into high gear!
 
Best,
Ashlee & the Bike MS team

Team Week Update #2

WOW - what an awesome week!

So far this week, 33 team cyclists have registered for Bike MS: Beyond the Beltway.

The standings, as of 1:00 p.m. today...

Challenge 1: Largest Team (fundraising team members: cyclists or Super Spokes crew members)

1. PricewaterhouseCoopers with 42 members
2. TIE:
1. KPMG with 37 members
2. Deloitte Cycling with 37 members

Challenge 2: Highest Fundraising Team

1. KPMG with $20,950.00
2. Babes and Babe Magnets on Bikes with $11,380.00
3. Weeda Beahm team with $6,365.00

Challenge 3: EVERY TEAM MEMBER (fundraising) YOU REGISTER THIS WEEK will give your team one raffle ticket for a chance to win

1. PricewaterhouseCoopers with 9 registered fundraising members
2. Deloitte with 6 members
3. Ernst & Young with 4 members

AND... our super sneaky bonus challenge standings.... well, no team has registered a volunteer this week. Thus, all you need to do is REGISTER ONE (yep, 1) volunteer and you're in the running for a $25 gift certificate to Red Hot & Blue. That would buy some fantastic BBQ for your team tent or cabin!

The fine print... again... is below (see post on 4.15.10). This competition ends at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 23 (tomorrow). We'll post the winners here on Monday.

GOOD LUCK TEAMS!

Team Week Update

Greetings Captains, Team Members, et al.

Team Week is in full swing, and if there was ever a time to recruit team members and raise the dough - THIS IS THE WEEK!

Current standings:
(a second update will be posted here on Thursday)
Challenge 1: Largest Team (fundraising team members: cyclists or Super Spokes crew members)

1. KPMG with 37 members
2. Pricewaterhouse Coopers with 34 members
3. Deloitte Cycling with 31 members

Challenge 2: Highest Fundraising Team

1. KPMG with $19,630.00 (***see below to learn about one piece of their success)
2. Babes and Babe Magnets on Bikes with $11,330.00
3. Dell with $6,075.00

Challenge 3: EVERY TEAM MEMBER (fundraising) YOU REGISTER THIS WEEK will give your team one raffle ticket for a chance to win

1. Ernst & Young with 3 registered fundraising members so far this week
2. TIE:
1. KPMG with 1 registered fundraising member
2. Pricewaterhouse Coopers with 1 registered fundraising member

CRAZY BONUS CHALLENGE - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We told you that we'd throw you a few surprises this week!


This event takes LOTS of wonderful, dedicated, kind, helpful VOLUNTEERS. Thus, your challenge is to have the most VOLUNTEERS on your team by the end of the week. We're looking for people who can lend a hand for a few hours (volunteers), or both days (crew members), or both day crew members that are also fundraising ($300 minimum - SUPER SPOKES CREW MEMBERS). More information about volunteering is on our website at: http://bikedcw.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_DCW_Volunteer

What's the prize? How about a $25 gift certificate to RED HOT & BLUE! Use the gift to fill your tent with tasty BBQ and all the fixins. (If you win, you also have to host and feed me. Congratulations).

*****KPMG's fundraising secret (shhhh - don't tell them!)
So KPMG has already raised close to $20,000. Pretty awesome, eh?

Their success is for MANY reasons (including rockin' captains Jeff & Lindsey), but one reason is because KPMG has decided to become a Bike MS sponsor, AND that sponsorship also counts towards their team total.

• Learn more about Bike MS sponsorship: http://bikedcw.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_DCW_Sponsors  
• Learn more about how sponsorship counts towards your fundraising total: http://bikedcw.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_DCW_company_involved#sellsponsorship  

Another update on Thursday - keep pushing and good luck!

- Ashlee & the Bike MS team

TEAM WEEK HAS ARRIVED

Dear Bike MS Team Captain -

The wait is over... TEAM WEEK HAS ARRIVED!
 Team Week is a once-a-season event that will help boost your team's membership and fundraising by offering awesome prizes and bragging rights. All official teams are eligible (an official team is a registered team with four or more fundraising team members - cyclists and Super Spokes crew members are fundraisers).

The PRIZE:
 We're offering three Challenges, and for the winner of each Challenge, we're giving you the opportunity to rent a TEAM CABIN at Bike MS.

Really, it's not a cabin, it's a luxurious multi-room, relaxation home for you and your team. The Cabin sleeps 18 people (nine on one side, nine on the other), includes private indoor toilets and showers, plus a team party room featuring a mini-fridge, and will be just steps away from the Team Village, beer garden, and start/finish. Oh, and it includes a back patio for relaxing after a long day. Bring you, your team, some refreshments, and you're set for the best weekend ever.
Check out Meadowkirk's website (our host for the week), for more information: http://www.meadowkirk.org/Files/The%20Cottages%20at%20Meadowkirk%20for%20Web.pdf (FYI: they call our Team Cabins, "cottages". I think that calling them "cottages" makes them sound classier. Your thoughts?)

In addition, we'll have some super awesome BONUS challenges and prizes throughout the week. Be on your toes!

HOW TO WIN:

The Challenges:
Challenge 1: The LARGEST team (based on number of fundraising team members)
Challenge 2: The HIGHEST TOTAL FUNDRAISING team
Challenge 3: Wild card cabin: EVERY TEAM MEMBER (fundraising) YOU REGISTER THIS WEEK will give your team one raffle ticket for a chance to win

The FINE PRINT:
Every game has rules, and this one is no exception. Team week starts on Monday, April 19 at 12:01 a.m. and ends on Friday, April 23 at 11:59 p.m. For Challenge 1 and 2, the winners will be calculated by what they've done before and during team week. For Challenge 3, the winner will be calculated by number of fundraising (cyclist or Super Spokes Crew Member) team member you recruit during Team Week.

Fundraising total will be calculated based on funds received by this date. If you want it to count towards the final total, I would suggest that you donate online or be extra sure that we will receive it before our office closes on Friday (yep, that's 5 p.m.).

The winner has the opportunity to rent the cabin. The cost to rent the cabin for the entire weekend is $750, and that equals a low $20.83 per bed, per night.

Updates will be sent out on Tuesday, April 20 and Thursday, April 22. Also, updates and full information will be posted on our blog at: http://www.bikemsdc.blogspot.com/ (that's HERE). Updates are sent to Captain's ONLY, so make sure you're sharing the information with your team members.

Best of luck to you and your team,
Ashlee & the Bike MS Team

Sneak Peak: Team Week to offer CABINS to winners!

It's official... TEAM WEEK has been announced! Get your cyclists and donors ready - you're going to want these awesome prizes!

This year's Team Week will be April 19-23 and all official teams are eligible (an official team is registered team with four or more fundraising team members - cyclists and Super Spokes crew members are fundraisers). Team Week is a once-a-season event that will help boost your teams numbers and fundraising by offering awesome prizes and bragging rights.

Next week’s challenges and prizes include…
The Grand-daddy Prize: Team Cabin at the Bike MS

So, what makes this Team Cabin so special?

We’re glad you asked. It’s not a cabin, it’s a luxurious multi-room, relaxation home for you and your team.

The Cabin sleeps 18 people (nine on one side, nine on the other), includes private indoor toilets and showers, plus a team party room featuring a mini-fridge, and will be just steps away from the Team Village, beer garden, and start/finish. Oh, and it includes a back patio for relaxing on after a long day. Bring you, your team, some refreshments, and you're set for the best weekend ever.

The winner has the opportunity to rent the cabin. The cost to rent the cabin for the entire weekend is $750, and that equals a low $20.83 per bed, per night. Not sure you can fill an entire cabin? Consider sharing a cabin with a fellow awesome team. If you win, we're happy to help match you if necessary.


I'm ready to win!

Of course you are.

Here's how you win:

• The LARGEST team (based on fundraising team members) by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 23 will be offered a cabin.
• The HIGHEST TOTAL FUNDRAISING team by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 23 will be offered a cabin.
• EVERY TEAM MEMBER YOU REGISTER THIS WEEK, from 12:01 a.m. Monday, April 19 to 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 23, will give your team one raffle ticket for a chance to win a cabin.

In addition, we'll be offering prizes to the team with the most volunteers, teams with the highest number of donors during one day, and teams with the greatest % of fundraising increase. More details and prizes will be announced soon.


The fine print:


There is no catch, but we want to make sure we’re crystal clear. The team that wins the cabin can use the cabin on Friday and Saturday evening, and check-out is by noon on Sunday, June 13.The Captain will be asked to sign a contract with Meadowkirk (the site) saying you’ll be responsible for payment and follow the rules before the team can move in.

*** TEAM MEMBERS can win too – but only CAPTAINS receive daily challenges. Encourage your members to get moving!***
Looking for recruitment and fundraising ideas?


Yes, we thought you would be. Contact Ashlee and Emily at Teams@MSandYOU.org. Visit the website for great ideas or check out the Team Captain’s Kit at: http://bikedcw.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_DCW_TeamCaptainsKit2010. 

Network with fellow Bike MS cyclists at an upcoming training ride. Check out our new Bike MS calendar: http://bikedcw.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_DCW_calendar


Keep an eye on your mail box on Thursday, April 15 for the final Team Week announcement.

Best of luck and keep riding!
-- Ashlee

One day only - $25 Bike MS Registration!

Tomorrow is April Fool's Day (a.k.a. April 1), and to show how CRAZY we are for Bike MS: Beyond the Beltway, we're offering a $25 registration fee. That's a full $20 bucks off the registration fee. 

Ready to register?

• Visit www.MSandYOU.org/bike 
• Click "REGISTER"
• Join us as a Team Captain, Cyclist (on a team or an individual) or a volunteer
  (no regi fee for our volunteer and crew - plus this group gets extra hugs)
• Use the discount code: AFD25
• Follow all the steps, give us your info, sign the wavier, pay the super low regi fee, and you're done!

This extra special registration discount code is ONLY valid on Thursday, April 1. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at the office: 202-296-5363, option 2. 

And, now, you must watch the super fun video I made in honor of today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvp1tnn5wUo 









Happy April!
- Ashlee (& the Bike MS team!)
 

What are you looking for?

If you’re here because you think it’s April 1, and you’re looking for the super duper, one day only, registration discount code… you’re too early. We appreciate your efforts and your earliness, so I’ll let you know that we’ll post the code later tonight (because Ashlee needs her beauty sleep!). Be warned, the code will only work on April 1 (not a second sooner).

If you’re here because you’re looking for tips and resources to become an awesome Team Captain / fundraising cyclist / human being – you’re in the right place!

Let me give you a few of my FAVORITE things that are happening at www.MSandYOU.org/bike (that's the Bike MS: Beyond the Beltway website):

• Refer - A - Friend and be eligible for a $1,000 Trail's End Cycling gift certificate
  http://bikedcw.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_DCW_recruitment
• AWESOME resources for Team Captains (and really, anyone!)
  http://bikedcw.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_DCW_TeamCaptainsKit2010
• Accept the Challenge to raise $1,000 and become a Top Fundraiser
  http://bikedcw.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_DCW_top_fundraisers
• Get your ride tuned up at a Platinum Level Bike Shop
  http://bikedcw.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_DCW_bike_shops

So take a little time, become familiar with our website, and be ready to get registered for only $25 all day TOMORROW, April 1. And no, this is not a joke. All you have to do to get the registration discount code is to visit one of our social media websites:

• www.facebook.com/nmssdc
• www.twitter.com/MSDC_OnTheMove
• http://www.youtube.com/user/MSSocietyDC
• www.bikemsdc.blogspot.com

Enjoy and keep your computer tuned to this blog!

Ashlee

Become a Bike Buddy for kids at Bike MS

Are you interested in helping kids become avid cyclists? The School Without Walls Cycling Club is looking for adults to accompany one or more students on the 30 mile route option. If you're interested, send an email to Team Captain Corey Null at corey.null@gmail.com. Thanks!

A reminder to all participants that all riders must be at least 12 years of age. Riders under the age of 18 must have a signed and notarized waiver on file with the Chapter (waiver will be posted soon!). Additionally, riders below the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/responsible adult (at least 21 years of age) at all times, including in SAG vehicles. Contact us at BikeMS@msandyou.org if you have questions.

Bike Route Functionality Added to Google Maps

How cool is this?  Now you can use Google Maps to create training rides for you and your team leading up to Bike MS (and after, of course).  In addition to our awesome Bike Shop Partners offering training rides and clinics in the coming months, it's also a vital aspect of training to get in the saddle as often as possible.  This new functionality will make your training easier to manage, especially when used in conjuction with the Training Peaks program offered free to every registered Bike MS participant.


For more info about the bike route functionality added to Google Maps, check out this article from the Washington Post's Fast Forward Blog. 


Now what are you waiting for? Get out there and ride!

Trail's End Refer A Friend Program - Win $1,000 to Trail's End!

Bike MS participants take part in an exciting new opportunity to introduce your friends to the challenge and fun of Bike MS Beyond the Beltway!

From February 18 through June 1, for every NEW cyclist/volunteer that you refer to Bike MS (new cyclists/volunteers need to register during that time AND raise the $300 fundraising minimum by June 1) you AND your friend will earn a chance to win a $1,000 gift certificate (to share) to Trail’s End Cycling.*

There is no limit on the number of chances you can earn. The more people you refer the more chances you have to win!

The drawing will be held during the Bike MS Awards Ceremony on Saturday, June 12 at Meadowkirk. You do not need to be present to win but won’t it be more fun if you are?

*The fine print - Referred new participants MUST include your name & email address in the referral field when they register. NEW cyclist/volunteers are individuals who have not registered or raised money in our Bike MS events in 2008 or 2009 and are not registered as of 2/18/10. All registered Bike MS participants (including volunteers) can participate, as long as they raise the $300 minimum by June 1 (hey if your friend has to have the money raised, so should you!).  Questions? Email us at BikeMS@MSandYOU.org

We're here!

Thanks for taking a few valuable minutes of your day to learn more about Bike MS: Beyond the Beltway and hopefully share your thoughts, experiences and ideas with your fellow (and potential!) Bike MS cyclists and volunteers.


This is a place where everyone- cyclists, volunteers, team captains, donors, supporters and even curious passers-by -can learn more about Bike MS not only from the National Capital Staff, but from each other. Want to author a guest post? Let us know! Have a 'picture's-worth-a-thousand-words' photo from a previous Bike MS ride or team event? Share it! You can always reply to threads on the blog, or send them directly to Teams@MSandYOU.org for us to post.

Le'ts start with something simple: Why do you Bike MS?