Frequently Asked Questions 2013

(Details subject to change)

Registration Information

What is the required donation minimum policy?
All riders (team captains, team members and individual riders) are required to raise a minimum of $200 in donations in addition to the registration fee. Registered riders will not be held responsible for the $250 required donation minimum only if the Inland Northwest Chapter has been notified in writing of your withdrawal from the event by September 1, 2013.
 
This required donation minimum must be fulfilled prior to participation in the event. Riders who have not fulfilled their required donation minimum must fill out a Promise to Pay document and supply a valid credit card number before particpation.
 
Participation in the Bike MS Ride is at the discretion of the Inland Northwest Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. 

Can my child participate in the Bike MS Ride? Do they need to raise money?
The Bike MS Ride is open to participants 12 years of age or older. All cyclists under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian and have a notarized waiver. All participants are required to raise the minimum pledge listed above. Keep in mind that with a little help from an adult, children have the potential to be big fundraisers and it’s an excellent learning experience.

I’ve heard that the waiver form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian and notarized for everyone under the age of 18. Is that true?
Yes, all participants under the age of 18 must submit a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. Waivers are included as part of our registration process, and we will have a notary available the day of the event to certify them.

Bike MS Ride Event Details 

What type of bike do I have to have? The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes is paved and any type of road or hybrid bike is fine. Contact your local Bike MS Bike Shop for professional advice.  

How does the One Day Option work? The One Day cyclists start and end in Plummer, ID. One Day cyclists will travel to lunch, turn around and end with the cyclists coming from Mullan. When they reach the finishline they have the option of taking the shuttle to the Coeur D'Alene Casino for our Saturday Celebration Dinner. 

What type of support is along the route? Approximately every 12-18 miles there will be rest stops as well as a Support and Guidance (SAG) vehicles that will give you a ride if needed. The SAG vehicle will take you to the closest rest stop but may not be able to take you directly to the finish line. Trained medical professionals and bike repair support is also available. 

When do I pick up my rider packet?
All cyclists must meet the minimum donation requirements prior to picking up their rider packet. Cyclists are encouraged to mail in donations as they are received. See below for mailing address. Any cyclist not yet reaching the minimum by the date of the ride will be required to fill out a Promise to Pay document and submit a credit card number. No cards will be charged until the donation colection deadline of October 1st. After the fundraising committment has been met cyclists may pick up rider packets during specified packet pick up times. The times and locations will be announced in the late summer of 2013. Cyclists may bring any donations to the packet pick up location for turning in. 

Will food be provided? We provide food throughout the weekend. Each rest stop is well stocked with snacks and fluids. However, if you'd like extra snacks along the way (power bars, etc.), you may want to bring a supply with you. If you know of any companies that may be interested in donating food, please contact Kate Scotece at 509-482-2022. Donated food helps us to maximize the funds that we are able to contribute to the movement against MS.
Two-day ride: We also provide lunch (catered by Applebee's) and Celebration dinner (catered by the Coeur D'Alene Casino) on Saturday and breakfast, lunch, and a  finish line snack on Sunday.
One-day rides: We provide rest stops on the route, lunch (catered by Applebee's) and the Saturday Celebration dinner (catered by the Coeur D'Alene Casino).

What if it rains? The ride goes on. Please be prepared to ride in any weather conditions. Unless there is severe weather we will not stop the ride. Our staff is in contact with the National Weather Service throughout the day and will advise you of any adverse conditions.

Can I use my….? For safety purposes we cannot allow headphones, child seats, bike trailers, or rollerblades on the ride.

What should I bring? Everyone MUST wear a helmet at all times. Other useful items include; bike gloves, sunscreen, a bike pump, sunglasses, and LOTS OF ENERGY! Want to shower at the end of either day? Showers are available at the Plummer Middle School (end of Day 1) and at the Mullan Athletic Complex (end of Day 2)... Don't forget a towel!.

Are massages available? We do our best to find massage therapists to come out to the ride and volunteer their time and talent. If you know of anyone that may be interested please contact us at wai@nmss.org. There are always fantastic massage specials going on at the Coeur D'Alene Casino... be sure to check out their website for all the latest spa package specials! 

What if I am unable to ride the day of the event? What is a Virtual Rider? Our Virtual Ride program is just for you! If you can’t physically make it to the event, you can still collect and send in donations. Virtual Riders can register for our Bike MS events (with no registration fee!), just as other participants do, and will be included in all prize categories, team awards, contests, and fundraising clubs. If you are interested in becoming a virtual rider, just register and select the "Virtual Rider" option. 

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Fundraising

Is there a minimum donation goal I must meet? Yes. Each participant is required to turn in a minimum of $250 in registration fee/ donations. The money raised goes to funding national research, programs, advocacy efforts and public and professional education.

How much money should I raise? Last year the donation average for Bike MS was over $650 and the top fundraiser raised more than $6,000!

Are fundraising rewards offered? All cyclists who turn in over $350 will be eligible to receive a fundraising reward. Prizes are awarded based on the amount of pledges turned in by the October 1st, 2013 prize deadline.  Many of our riders choose to donate the cost of their prize back to the National MS Society and become members of our Mission First Club. Members of the 2013 Mission First Club will be listed on the website!

Do matching gifts count towards prize levels?
Employer matching gifts are a great way to double your fundraising! Yes, matching gifts do count toward your fundraising total for prize qualification and the minimum donation requirement. For detailed information about matching gifts, please refer to our Matching Gifts FAQ.

Who sponsors me? ANYONE can sponsor you. Riders can sponsor themselves or ask co-workers, friends, neighbors, local businesses and family members. Many companies sponsor their employees. Visit our Fundraising Tips section for more ideas.

Where do I send my donations? You can bring your donations to the Bike MS Ride or they can be mailed at any time to:

What if I do not raise the minimum donation amount by the day of the ride?
All cyclists must meet the minimum donation requirements prior to picking up their rider packet. Any cyclist not yet reaching the minimum by the date of the ride will be required to fill out a Promise to Pay document and submit a credit card number. No cards will be charged until the donation colection deadline of October 1st.

What if my company wants to match my donations? To take part in the Matching Gifts Program, please visit your Human Resource Department or your Matching Gifts Coordinator and ask for a Matching Gift Form. Then you can mail it to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Please include your information so we can apply the match correctly.

What if I need brochures and posters for others? Please call 509-482-2022 to request materials. You can also visit our Download Center and print materials from your own computer!