Bike MS to help beat multiple sclerosis

“Join the Movement” toward a world free of MS by making donations or participating in Bike MS: The Citrus Tour 2012. For more information visit http://Bikeflc.nationalmssociety.org

On Saturday, April 21, and Sunday, April 22, Bike MS: The Citrus Tour will host more than 1,000 bikers as they take to the roads of Bok Tower Gardens to help fundraise for multiple sclerosis. This is the 25th anniversary of the National MS Society Mid-Florida Chapter’s signature fundraising event. The event is recognized as one of the best two-day, fully supported cycling events in Florida, annually attracting more than 1,500 cyclists of all skill levels from across the country. Bike MS takes place in more than 100 cities nationwide and is one of the largest fundraising bike events in the United States.

MS is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The local MS Chapter serves more than 73,000 people in a 23 county area, including family members, friends, caregivers and employers.

Typically targeting adults between the ages of 20 and 50, this disease typically impacts people in the peak of their careers and life plans.

Mark A. Eberbach, MD, at Eberbach Plastic Surgery, has headed his own team for years and has these helpful tips for riders:

1) A great ride experience needs planning and practice. Don't change your gear just before the big ride. No one wants sores or achy joints from new shoes or saddle position. Remember your chamois butter.

2) Good nutrition is essential for a 100-mile ride. You will need about 100 calories for every 20 minutes of riding. You should use the sponsored SAG stops to your advantage, and eat small quantities frequently.

3) Hydration. Hydration. Hydration. On a hot day in April one could easily go through 1 liter every hour of riding. Hydrate well the night before and start early the morning of the ride. Alcohol will dehydrate you so watch yourself Friday night. 



4) Have your bike tuned up several weeks before. Make sure your brakes and derailleurs are working well and that your helmet fits properly. Even a minor fall can ruin your day, so be sure your equipment is ready for the ride too.

Bike MS: The Citrus Tour, along with Walk MS, are the two biggest annual fundraisers for the National MS Society’s Mid Florida chapter. Bike MS: The Citrus Tour generated an astounding $921,569 in 2011, and this year’s goal is even higher at $966,000. Together in 2011, Bike MS: The Citrus Tour and the eight Walk MS events generated more than $1.3 million in the fight to cure MS.

“This is an exciting year for Bike MS as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the event for the Mid Florida Chapter and the third year of our increasingly popular Citrus Tour route,” said Carroll Franklin, president of the Mid Florida Chapter. “We’re so thankful to the Florida cycling community for making this one of the premier cycling events of the year and for so generously supporting our fundraising efforts. With every dollar we raise, we are one step closer to ending MS.”