The Bike MS: Round Up Ride 2008 presented by Discount Tire

Event Details

The Bike MS: Round Up Ride 2008 presented by Discount Tire, will take place on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30, 2008 in Florence, Arizona. As always, Bike MS is fully supported with rest stops, medical personnel, and SAG (support and gear) vehicles to help along the way, and also includes an overnight party with food and entertainment.

Start, Overnight and Finish Area:
Heritage Park
600 North Main Street
Florence, AZ

Directions

Directions from Phoenix Area & West Valley
From I-10 E towards Tucson
Take the AZ-187/ AZ-387 exit, EXIT 185, toward COOLIDGE/ FLORENCE
Take the AZ-387 N ramp toward AZ-187 N
Turn LEFT onto AZ-187/ AZ-387
Turn RIGHT onto AZ-387
Turn RIGHT on 87
87 turns into AZ-287 (do not turn right towards Coolidge)
Turn LEFT towards Florence on AZ-287 N and it will become Main Street
Proceed to your parking lot of choice in Downtown Florence  

There is a lesser known route from 202 Santan Freeway

Take the 202 Santan Freeway E and EXIT Arizona Avenue

Take Arizona Avenue S and turn LEFT at E. Hunt Highway (about 5 miles)

Bear RIGHT on AZ-87 S (about 240 feet)

Continue on AZ-87 S and it will become AZ-287, Florence-Coolidge Highway

Stay on AZ-287, turn LEFT onto AZ-287 N and it will become Main Street
Proceed to your parking lot of choice in Downtown Florence

Directions from Tucson Area
Take N Oracle Rd/AZ-77 N towards AZ-79 N
Turn LEFT onto AZ-79/ PINAL PIONEER PKWY. Continue to follow AZ-79 N
Turn LEFT onto E 1ST ST
Proceed to your parking lot of choice in Downtown Florence 

Parking

• Download Parking Map

Please do not unload items at Heritage Park before parking.

At each color coded parking lot there will be a designated area where riders may place their labeled overnight items (sleeping bag, tent, personal luggage). All items MUST be labeled with your name, address, and phone number. All parking lots are close enough to Heritage Park so that cyclists can ride their bikes over from their parking lot.

Once you leave your luggage at your parking lot, it will be transported back to Heritage Park for you. Your luggage will be placed in a designated luggage drop area near the start and finish line, in color coded piles correlating with your color parking lot. Once you return from the ride you will find yours items and can set up camp.

Round Up Ride Amenities

Thinking about coming early? No problem! You can park your RV, pitch your tent, or sleep in the large circus-sized tent provided by the National MS Society on Friday night to get a jumpstart on Saturday morning.

The Posse is also hosting a steak dinner at Heritage Park on Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., open to the public. The cost is $12.50 per person. (This meal is not included as part of the Round Up Ride participation)

Cyclists will be responsible for their own bikes on Friday. There is a fenced area where you can lock your bike for security. If you are camping out Friday night, please bring a bike lock. 

Saturday, March 29
Check-in will begin at 6:00 a.m. The ride starts at 7:00 a.m. on both days. Plan on arriving early!

To save time at check-in, please plan on attending one of the packet pick-ups before the ride.

What to Bring- REQUIRED

• Bib number, bike number
• Photo identification
• Helmet
• WMRC/Landis/Trek Uniforms – The Green Angels will be introduced at the start of the ride)

What to Bring- Recommended

• Water bottles and hydration packs
• Cash or checks
• Tire patch kit, spare tubes and tire pump (Paco will bring some extras, please have a camelback or seat pack to carry some extra’s with you)
• Sunglasses, lip balm and sunscreen
• Padded bike shorts and jersey
• Cycling gloves and shoes
• Medications
• Rain poncho
• Camera
• Cell phones, MP3 players, and other digital devices WILL NOT be allowed on the route due to safety reasons.

Route
Cyclists can choose from three route options on the first day: 36, 75 or 103 miles. Participants who ride the short route will be bussed to the finish line once they have reached the 36-mile marker. After the ride, bikes will be secured for riders until Sunday morning.

The route will close at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Visit the Route page for maps, turn by turns, support and safety information, and more.

Lunch
Lunch is provided by Subway and offered at Rest Stop 3 (the last stop for the 36-mile route option). Please note that lunch on Day 1 is for participant’s only. Non-participants will be responsible for their own lunch.

Activities and Overnight Celebration
After the ride on Day 1, hang out with other cyclists and celebrate each other’s accomplishments in moving toward a world free of MS. The evening includes a catered dinner, live music, dancing, a live auction, program, and New Belgium beer and more!

Visit the Saturday Activities Page for details on Dinner, the Overnight Celebration and Sleeping Arrangements.

Sunday, March 30
The ride starts at 7:00 a.m.. Riders may retrieve bikes starting at 6:00 a.m. Sunday morning.

Breakfast
5:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
The morning will start with a pancake breakfast provided by the Association of Florence Firefighters, IAFF Local 4512 and East Valley Firefighter Charities. Coffee and juice will also be provided. Breakfast is available to non-participant family and friends for $6 per person (Payment is check or cash only).

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
The pancake breakfast opens up to the public for a small fee. Pricing will be available soon.

Route
Cyclists can choose from two route options on the second day: 27.5 or 51.7 miles. Participants who ride the short route will be bussed to the finish line once they have reached the 27.5-mile marker.

The route will close at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Visit the Route page for maps, turn by turns, support and safety information, and more.

Lunch
After crossing the finish line, participants will enjoy a catered BBQ lunch from 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. at Heritage Park. Lunch is free for participants and volunteers. Lunch is available to non-participants for $6 per person (Payment is check or cash only).

Participants are responsible for their own transportation home.

• A large circus-sized sleeping tent will be available for participants to sleep in on both Friday night and Saturday night. Please bring your own sleeping bag and pillow.
• Shower trucks will be available all day Saturday and Sunday. Participants must provide their own soap and towel.
• Massages will be provided at the finish area on Saturday and Sunday and are available in 15 minute time slots. The massages are free but tips are appreciated.
• A VIP tent will be available Saturday and Sunday afternoon for our Round Up Ride VIPs. Inside will be free goodies for VIPs to enjoy. Access to the VIP tent is provided only to individuals who raise $1,500 or more by Wednesday, March 26. Check the Fundraising Page for details on VIP tent activities. 
• "Strip and Ship" is provided along the route. Riders may take off jackets and sweatshirts at rest stops. Items are bagged and marked with a rider number and get transported to the finish area for your convenience.

Friday, March 28