What's Happening: Bike MS City to Shore Ride this Saturday
This weekend, area cyclists will set out from various points in New Jersey towards Ocean City to raise money for people affected by multiple sclerosis.
One of the signature local events of the fall takes place this weekend, when 7,000+ riders will attempt to complete the MS City to Shore Bike ride.
Participants can choose from several different routes as they complete rides ranging from 25-175 miles this Saturday, all in an effort to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. All rides of over 100 miles span both Saturday and Sunday.
All routes end in scenic Ocean City, N.J., with different starting points for each riding distance.
25-mile ride: Mays Landing, N.J. (Woodcrest High School)
45-mile ride: Hammonton, N.J. (Atlantic Commerce Center)
75-mile ride: Cherry Hill, N.J. (PATCO Woodcrest Station)
100-mile ride: Cherry Hill, N.J. (PATCO Woodcrest Station—this ride mimics the 75-mile course, with an extra 25-mile path appropriate dubbed the "Century Loop")
Riders who choose the two-day ride option can complete either a 150-mile ride (75 miles per day) or a 175-mile ride (same 75 miles per day, with a 25-mile trip around the Century Loop on Saturday.)
But the event is more than just a bike ride. Named as the "Best Cycling Getaway in New Jersey" by Bicycling Magazine, the City to Shore ride participants get to enjoy the diverse scenery of South Jersey en route to the shore. Participants are fully supported with themed rest stops every 15-20 miles, catered lunch, return transportation and bike mechanics at each rest stop to address any equipment issues.
A festive finish line awaits each participant in Ocean City, as the race promises to deliver "all the fun you could have hoped for."
"There will be food, a moon bounce, live bands—and it's all right there in Ocean City," says Kevin Moffitt, vice president with the Greater Delaware Valley chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. "When the riders get there, and see hundreds or thousands of people cheering them on—many of whom have MS or have been affected by MS—it just makes the event so much more meaningful.
Best of all, there's still time to register. The only requirements are that riders are ages 12 and up, complete a waiver/safety form, and collect at least $300 in donations by the day of the ride. Thus far, the event has secured about $4.3 million in donations and is well on target to reach the stated $5.6 million goal.
For more information on this weekend's City to Shore ride, visit bikepae.nationalmssociety.org.
Read more Sports Doc for Sports Medicine and Fitness.