We have done the MS ride in Oregon several times. I have a couple of friends how do this ride every year as part of teams. They raise an incredible amount of money for the MS society. I have to admit I am not a very successful fund raiser for these events. You can only hit up your friends and co-workers so many times before they tire of your solicitations, and possibly start to avoid you. But, having said that, it is still a great cause and it is an easily attainable goal to generate the funds needed to participate in the rides. It is a ride we recommend you participate in at least once. It is a well run event, the organizers treat you well and they truly appreciate your efforts. Plus the last time we did the MS ride, George Hincapie was there to ride with us and that was really cool. We actually passed him on the road. OK, he was coming back from a loop and we were going out on the loop, but technically we passed him.
The Oregon ride is August 4-5, 2007. The ride starts and ends at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon
Here is the link for the Oregon MS ride that we have done.
The PR folks for the Washington MS ride sent me this information on the Washington ride.
We have not done the one in Washington, but would love to give it a try soon.
As many as 2,000 cyclists, including some living with the challenges and uncertainties of multiple sclerosis, are expected to pedal for the cause during The Group Health MS Bike Tour Sept. 8 and 9 in La Conner. The National MS Society, Greater Washington Chapter, hopes to collect $1.25 million from the fund raiser, one of about 100 rides in 48 states to support MS programs and research. With approximately 100,000 participants raising $67 million nationally, the ride has become the largest organized cycling event in the country.
The local tour – sponsored by Group Health Cooperative and Point B Solutions Group – starts and ends in La Conner and offers riders a choice of routes through scenic Skagit, Whatcom and Island counties. The money raised goes to programs and services for the 50,000 people living with or affected by MS in Western and, as well as research into treatments, a cause and a cure.
There is no cure for MS, but advances in drugs and treatments have helped people live with and manage the disease.