Despite a deluge of rain that delayed the event’s official start time and thereby required the closure and/or shortening of the longer Saturday routes, Bike MS: Tour de Farms 2009 was a tremendous success, with more than 1,900 cyclists and volunteers raising more than $1 million, and counting. Congratulations, and thank you!
Many thanks to every cyclist, team and volunteer who participated in making this year’s tour a success, especially our Gold Spokes members and top teams.
Wheeler Dealers are currently our top fundraising team, having passed the $85,000 mark, with Team Captain Chad Smith still leading in the individual fundraiser category, having raised more than $56,000 already. Maureen & Patrick Howard, Scott Burstein, Phil Geyer and David Britten round out the top five individual front-riders to-date, though there’s still time to nudge your way into this elite group -- all funds submitted through July 31, 2009 count toward this year’s Bike MS effort! Access your participant center, or make a personal donation.
Participants opted for one or two days of cycling, ranging from 35 miles in one day following the shortest route, to approximately 125 miles in two days following the longest routes (down from 175 because of Saturday’s rainstorm).
All cyclists enjoyed themed rest stops every 10 to 15 miles, and the main site at Northern Illinois University’s Convocation Center was a hub of activity, with massages, the team village and live entertainment.
We also welcomed Eric McDermott, who joined us while riding coast-to-coast for MS! His goal is to raise $50,000 to help create a world free of MS. You can track Eric’s progress, and make a donation, by visiting Eric's website: http://www.ericsmscoast2coastride.com/.
Thanks Eric!
Thank you to the Bike MS: Tour de Farms 2009 sponsors:
