Annual Bike MS event is Sept. 10-11

MAT-SU — Alaskans have the opportunity to learn more about MS and raise money for MS research during the annual Bike MS event leaving from Girdwood Sept. 10 and 11.

Greater Northwest Chapter of the National MS Society Communications Manager Rosanna Snyder said Alaska’s Bike MS event is one of 100 planned nationwide.

She said the two-day ride is structured so people may ride one day or both days, and riders have an option on routes.

“It’s really a ride that is designed for any level of cyclist,” Snyder said.

The event is the primary fall fundraising event for the group, she said. In the spring, the focus is on Walk MS, which she said is as much focused on raising awareness about MS as it is on fundraising.

“The walk and the bike events are ways that we have been able to mobilize people who care about people living with MS,” she said.

Snyder said some people sign up for the ride but don’t know about MS.

“They might come not connected with MS, but by the time they leave, they will (be),” she said. “They walk away connected, and they come back next year because now they know someone with MS.”

She said both events are also opportunities for people with MS to network with each other.

Registration for the event costs $65 and a minimum donation of $250 also is required, Snyder said. But the average rider collects closer to $750 in donations.

People may register online through Sept. 6 at bikemsnorthwest.org. Or, people may show up the day of the event and pay both fees before the ride begins.

Volunteers also are needed and people may sign up for that through the website, too.

This year’s fundraising goal is $250,000.

“We definitely think it’s doable,” Snyder said. “We’ve seen such exponential growth in the number of people registering.”

— Heather A. Resz