Team HP - Bike MS

How to set up a fundraising page on Facebook

2010-09-22T11:27:00.000-05:00

Social Networking sites are really effective ways to get the word out to your friends that you're riding BikeMS with Team HP. You'll find that if you use social networking to ask for donations, you'll receive donations from unexpected places. Maybe a high school friend you haven't talked to in years has an aunt with MS and will click over and donate. Maybe another friend is waiting for a diagnosis himself, and will click over and donate. Perhaps one of your friends just donates a little something to everyone that asks for it. It's a really effective tool - use it!

You can always share the link to your donation page on Facebook through statuses and notes, but to automate your Facebook fundraising tool, the MS Society has set up a great little application that shows how much you've raised and allows you to publish pre-written statuses that you can customize.

To set up this tool, first log in to your participant center and scroll down to the bottom of the page, where you'll see a "Fundraise with Facebook" button.

Click on that button, and it will redirect you to Facebook, where you will click "Allow" when it asks you.

From there, you'll see this page:

The first option is to make the BikeMS logo your profile picture. This is a great visual reminder and conversation-starter about your BikeMS ride.

Next, you'll see several options under the "get the word out" option. This is the message that will get published to your wall and the Facebook news feed for all your friends to see, and it will link directly to your donation page.

Finally, there's an option to add a profile tab on your Facebook profile, which will stay there permanently (until you remove it, of course) so that anyone clicking around your profile can find it and utilize it even if you haven't updated your status in a while.

That's it! It's a simple as that. Here are a few more tips for using social networking for fundraising:

Be sure to share your donation link often and at different times of the day - people are on Facebook at different times and may miss your message if you just send it at one time.
Update your friends on how you're doing frequently. An excited "I'm already at $750 in my BikeMS fundraising!" message with a link to your donation page will remind people to donate and to cheer you on as you train and fundraise.
Get a conversation going by asking for advice. The more comments you have on your status about fundraising, the higher up it will be on the newsfeed and the more people will notice it. By saying something like "I want to reach my goal of $2,000 for my BikeMS ride this year, does anybody have any fundraising tips?" or "Does anybody have any tips for great back roads I can ride to train for my BikeMS ride?" you will prompt others to participate in the conversation. As always, include your link in the status update.
If you're at a weird number, ask for a donation. For example, if I have raised $260, I say "I've raised $260 for my BikeMS ride - can you help me get to $300?" (Include your donation link, of course!) Oddly enough, this almost always gets donations. Even if one person can't donate the whole $40, it doesn't look so daunting to your donors if you take baby steps toward your goal. People feel like they can help with that.
Discuss your training with people. A status update that says you rode 15 miles this afternoon (of course, including your donation link) will make people want to support you since they see you're really doing the work for it.
You don't have to stick with Facebook! Tweet (Many times, the "strangers" who follow you on Twitter will also support you)! E-mail lists! Myspace! Include your link in your e-mail signature! Blog it! Post on message boards! Use every avenue you can to get the word out about your goal to help cure MS.

Bike MS - 2009 Awards Party - Thursday 7/23 6pm - Texas Motor Speedway

2009-07-15T11:17:00.001-05:00

Mark your calendar and plan to attend the 2009 Bike MS Awards Party, hosted by the MS Society!! The fun starts at 6pm on Thursday, July 23rd, at the Speedway Club out at Texas Motor Speedway. I hope you can join us for spirited competition for team awards, and gathering with old and new friends. This is a great time for reflection, and hope for the future.

If you plan to attend, please reply to let me know. I plan to arrive early so that I can reserve a couple of tables for Team HP, so we can all sit together. Please remember this party is open to everyone, not just riders and volunteers, so invite your friends and family as well.

Date: Thursday, July 23

Time: 6 pm to 8 pm

Where: The Speedway Club at the Texas Motor Speedway

Food: Yes….light finger foods

What Else: Cash Bar….Yes, you can buy me a drink

Who: Everyone…not just for riders and volunteers; Invite your friends, family, anyone

Directions to The Speedway Club - 3545 Lone Star Circle, Fort Worth, TX 76177

From Fort Worth, take I-35W North, exit Hwy 114 and turn West (left).

From Dallas, take Hwy 114 West past I-35W, go straight through the intersection.

From Hwy 114, turn right at the second entrance (Allison Ave) to Texas Motor Speedway. Go straight through the first stop sign, and then turn left at the second stop sign (Lone Star Circle). The Speedway Club is the glass building on your right. Parking is free and is located directly in front of the building. See the attached map, which shows the location of the Speedway Club (labeled as “CO” on the map).

Jimmy Grossman

Join Team HP and help us cure Multiple Sclerosis!

Fundraising Update!

2009-05-11T09:21:00.000-05:00

Your Positive Power continues to show…. Our Team HP fundraising total is now at $94,545!!! I am so proud of your all. This is now a record amount for our Dallas team, and we are well on the way to achieving our team goal of $100,000!!!

We did receive a big boost this week, when our Team HP account was credited with $8,241! This was the total collected from our MS Jeans Week that was held last week at the EDS/HP Plano campus. For that, I extend a special thank you, to Neta Davis, for coordinating the entire Jeans Week effort. Neta personally printed hundreds of MS Jeans stickers, and she worked directly with the administrative assistants that were selling the stickers. Neta also scheduled Team HP riders who sold MS Jeans stickers in the Plano cafeterias on 4/23 and 4/24. And she collected all of the monies afterward! WOW… Thank you, Neta! We are all grateful for your extra work for the team!

More updates coming soon... especially once we achieve our $100k goal!!!

Jimmy Grossman

Bike MS - Team HP Captain

Retain that positive power!

2009-05-11T09:20:00.000-05:00

Team,

We all rode out like a freight train on May 2nd, just as I had described. And that’s when the Pure Positive Power of Team HP really kicked in… As ominous as the weather was looking all morning, it ironically provided rather ideal riding conditions for us all. But… we all know what happened in the early afternoon… the rain came, then the heavier rain came in, along with lightning and even some hail. As a result, some riders were not able to finish the Day 1 route. And none of us were able to ride on Day 2 due to the weather forecasts and conditions at the time. However… we were steadfast on our Positive Power through it all. The spirit of Team HP prevailed, and you all became the most positive people that I have ever seen! Despite all of the inconveniences and discomforts of the weekend, you focused instead on knowing that our mission succeeded. You all are living proof of what Positive Power is all about!

Know that you are making a difference in the lives of everyone affected by MS… Aaron Harrell is a 2nd year rider with our team, and I want to share his post-ride comments with you: “I know this ride didn't go as everyone planned, maybe some riders are a little disappointed with the changes and cancellation of the second day. But for me, someone who lives with this disease every day, I walk away from this ride just as I always have. I walk away with hope, hope for a brighter future, hope for an eventual end to this disease, and a hope greater than yesterday. I can't ask for anything more than that, it means more to me than you will ever know, and I thank you, and everyone involved in this event for giving me that gift.”

Thank you all for being part of Team HP, and for caring to help others through your Positive Power!

Jimmy Grossman
Bike MS - Team HP Captain

The Star!

2009-05-04T16:44:00.000-05:00

WOW! The 2009 Bike MS ride was riddled with challenges and changes for every individual rider out there, but as a Team, we came through shining, as always! That is because each of you is a star, and our Team HP stars naturally gravitate together to help make a difference in the world of everyone that is affected by multiple sclerosis.

YOU are the star! So be sure to celebrate what you have accomplished by riding with Team HP in Bike MS. Truly... there is no better feeling in this world than helping to improve the life of another human being.

I thank you for being part of Team HP, and for your support of the National MS Society.

I will be in touch again soon, with other updates and information for you. And please contact me at any time if you have any questions at all!

Jimmy

Join Team HP and help us cure Multiple Sclerosis!

Start to finish MS

2009-05-04T16:34:00.003-05:00

Remember this?

Here

2009-05-01T14:53:00.000-05:00

I’m sure that subject line has you all wondering…. What is the significance of “HERE”? Well let me tell you…

First, for those that don’t know, my favorite artist group of all time has always been the Pet Shop Boys. And one of my very favorite songs from the Pet Shop Boys is named “Here”. I was listening to this song as I drove in to work this morning, and to me, this song has deep meaning in its lyrics and can be interpreted in several ways. A major line in the chorus is“You’ve got a home here”, and these lyrics keep me forever grateful for the home life that Ishare with Jerry, my life partner. Well today, the meaning of this song went beyond my personal life and it extended out to you all… the riders and supporters of Team HP. You all have a home here in my heart. Yes, I have an absolute passion for this ride and the cause, but it would not be complete if it were not for you. Your kind and caring souls keepmy passion alive and thriving and growing year after year. I thank you with all my heart for your belief in me, and your belief in the MS Society’s mission.

The next two days will be all about riding, sharing, caring, laughing, and probably some crying too. Let yourself feel the emotions as they happen. Don’t hold back, and cherish every moment. These are gifts from above, and will make you richer.

Now… I want you each to do something for yourself today. Take 10, 20 or 30 minutes and do whatever it is that relaxes you and gives you insight to your life. If that means practicing yoga, do it. If that means taking a long hot bath, do it. If that means listening to 70’s disco, do it (I love disco as you might guess). Whatever it is, do it for yourself. As you relax, let yourselffeel the pure calm and peace that comes from a rich life of helping others. Relax and enjoy and be thankful.

I will see you all tomorrow. Arrive early so you’re not rushed. I should be in the starting area around 6:30 am, and we roll out at 7:00 am. HERE we go!

Keep moving forward, united as one Team. Team HP. Riding to defeat MS.

Jimmy Grossman

Bike MS - Team HP Captain

Join Team HP and help us cure Multiple Sclerosis!

Team Tent Move

2009-05-01T14:33:00.003-05:00

Team…. Please note that our Team HP tent location is moved at the Speedway…. Same row, but we’re now behind the Plano Cycling tent. We are tent #11 on the attached map.

Join Team HP and help us cure Multiple Sclerosis!

Comfort Suites Hotel Rooms

2009-05-01T11:38:00.001-05:00

If for any reason, you are thinking of canceling your hotel room at the Comfort Suites hotel, please do NOT cancel it. Instead, notify me immediately, as I may be able to re-allocate the room.

On the other hand, if don’t have a hotel room, but now you would like one, please reply to let me know. I will create a “wait list” for rooms that may be canceled. For example, if you were planning to camp out at TMS or stay in the team tent, but you don’t want to deal with the possibility of rain, you may want a hotel room, so let me know!

Jimmy Grossman

Bike MS - Team HP Captain

Join Team HP and help us cure Multiple Sclerosis!

Positive Power

2009-05-01T11:20:00.001-05:00

It is time… Bike MS will roll out like a freight train tomorrow morning at 7:00 am, and you all are the Power fueling the train.

This train however, is unlike any other, because it runs on Pure Positive Power, and you are the generators of that Power, so let yourself feel the Power and experience it. This Power is different from what you might typically think of, because it is a Power of human interactioncombined with a Power of personal fulfillment.

The ride will be challenging for everyone, no doubt. But we will pull each other through, because this is what we, as human beings, are meant to do, and it is truly what we do best—help each other! There’s no better reward in life than the reward of helping otherpeople. This weekend, we will help each other as riders, to complete the distances despite obstacles and inconveniences, but most importantly, we are helping to improve the lives of every single person that lives with multiple sclerosis.

Remember that this Bike MS train is on a mission to create a world free of MS, and yourPositive Power will get us there.

Be Positive, and you will be the best person that you can be, for life.

Jimmy Grossman

Bike MS - Team HP Captain

Join Team HP and help us cure Multiple Sclerosis!

Updated - Day 2 Route Detail

2009-05-01T11:18:00.002-05:00

I have just received the official updated Day 2 route map, and it is attached.

The new route is 66.7 miles on Day 2. The route is a combo of out-and-back with a loop. This is a good design, because the slowest riders will be well past Break Point 1 by time the fastest riders are returning on the same road.

Overnight parking will be allowed at the Speedway, so take advantage of that, if it helps your personal logistics or plans for returning home after riding on Sunday. In fact, you are even allowed to park your vehicle today at the Speedway and leave it there until Sunday. Just be sure to park in the “Main MS Parking Lot”, which is marked by a large red dot on the Speedway map that is attached here. This lot is immediately south of the Day 1 and Day 2 Finish Line.

Remember that the new Day 2 finish at the Speedway will have all of the same amenities that were originally planned for Sundance Square. Specifically, there will be food, music, shower trucks, and more. Additionally the optional transportation services will be available to transport you and/or your bike from the Speedway back to Frisco when you finish Day 2. When you finish, plan to hang out for awhile and enjoy the festivities and celebrate your accomplishment!

Regarding weather, please note that the MS Society actively monitors weather all weekend long, and will make additional changes as needed if dangerous weather is imminent. Your safely is always the primary concern!

Please let me know if you have any questions at all. That is why I am here!!!

Captain Jimmy

Click here for a pocket-sized map of both days

Fundraising Update

2009-05-01T10:12:00.002-05:00

I want to thank you all for a tremendous job on your fundraising this year! Look at these current statistics for Team HP:

· Team HP total fundraising is $75,976.29 right now. This is 76% of our $100k goal!!!

· In just the past 10 days, you all have raised over $18,000!

· We have 18 riders that have raised over $1,000 each, for a total of $30,000!!! Amazing!

· 1,251 total donations have been made to Team HP riders, which means the averagedonation is over $60!

· 89 riders have already raised $300 or more!

Please keep up your efforts, so that we can help to put an end to this disease. If you need any assistance at all with your fundraising, please ask me or Mandy Hornbuckle. We will help in any that we can.

Keep moving forward, united as one Team. Team HP. Riding to defeat MS.

Jimmy Grossman

Bike MS - Team HP Captain

Join Team HP and help us cure Multiple Sclerosis!

Bike MS - Day 2 route change info

2009-05-01T10:12:00.001-05:00

I have received preliminary news from the MS Society that the Day 2 route will be an out-and-back route.

We’ll leave the Speedway as originally planned (6:45 am for the track loop, 7:00 am if skipping the track), then ride up to Decatur, and then back to the Speedway. The approximate distance of the updated Day 2 route is 65 miles. Many of you will be interested to know that there’s some good news in this change—the new Day 2 route should be a little easier for everyone…it is 9 miles shorter and certainly not at hilly as the original route!

The same activities that were originally planned for Sundance Square will take place at the Speedway instead. There will be music, food, and all the same fun! The shower trucks will be at the Speedway, and transportation will be available to get you and/or your bike back to Frisco.

Please continue to monitor your email regularly for further updates from me, or from the MS Society. And also continue to monitor the Sam’s Club Bike MS main web page as well:http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/sams-club/index.aspx

Jimmy Grossman

Bike MS - Team HP Captain

Join Team HP and help us cure Multiple Sclerosis!

Team HP Photo - 5 p.m.

2009-05-01T10:11:00.001-05:00

Be there for the Team HP photo at the Speedway!!

Just be at the Team HP tent at 5:00 on Saturday

We will take photos of the entire team, right at the tent

Please wear your new 2009 HP jersey for the photos! Seriously…the jerseys make for AWESOME photos!!! So just have your HP jersey handy at the team tent, and then simply slip it on over top of whatever shirt you are wearing.

And don’t forget to bring those smiles…

J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J

Jimmy Grossman

Bike MS - Team HP Captain

Join Team HP and help us cure Multiple Sclerosis!

Day 2 Route Change

2009-04-30T17:48:00.001-05:00

Riders….

First and foremost, let me assure you that the Bike MS ride is NOT canceled.

However, there WILL be a route change on Day 2. We will NOT finish in Sundance Square,because the Tarrant County Health Department has canceled all public events due to theirconcerns regarding the H1N1 virus/flu.

Therefore there are two possible new routes that the MS Society is actively working on for Day2:

· We may do an out-and-back route, leaving the Speedway, and also finishing at the Speedway.

---OR---

· We may ride from the Speedway back to Frisco.

Right now, it seems that these are the most likely scenarios for Day 2, but as you might imagine, it is a HUGE undertaking to manage a last-minute logistics change such as this. For now, be patient, and know that I will keep you informed of any further details once they are confirmed to me by the MS Society. Also remember that the Sam’s Club Bike MS main web page will also provide current information, so please check it often: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/sams-club/index.aspx.

Finally, please keep all things in perspective. Yes, we may have to worry about a last-minute logistics change, the flu, and the weather this weekend, but imagine what it is like to live with this kind of uncertainty EVERY SINGLE DAY OF YOUR LIFE, as a person with MS does. Our worries are rather miniscule compared to the challenges that MS poses to over 400,000 American citizens each and every day. This is EXACTLY why we’re riding, to end the uncertainties of MS.

Please stay tuned, and read your email frequently, and check the Bike MS web page frequently. And I will see you very soon ON THE ROAD TO CREATING A WORLD FREE OF MS.

Jimmy Grossman

Bike MS - Team HP Captain

Join Team HP and help us cure Multiple Sclerosis!

Urgent - UPDATE ON 2009 BIKE MS: SAM’S CLUB RIDE

2009-04-30T17:09:00.004-05:00

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Lone Star Chapter is adhering to Tarrant County’s public event cancellation policy due to concerns about the H1N1 virus/swine flu. Therefore, the Day 2 Finish Line for this weekend’s Bike MS: SAM’S CLUB Ride will not take place at Sundance Square in Fort Worth as originally planned. At this time, we do plan to continue with Day 1 of the ride from Frisco to the Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 2. We currently are working through details relating to moving ahead with Day 2 on Sunday, May 3.

We will have an update by noon Friday, May 1, posted on the ride Web site.

The health and safety of all participants in this weekend’s ride are of the utmost importance to us. With increasing concerns about the swine flu, we will take necessary precautions to help protect cyclists from potential exposure to the H1N1 virus/swine flu. According to the CDC, frequent hand washing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers is the most effective way to help prevent the spread of this virus among humans. Hand washing stations and alcohol-based hand sanitizers will be located outside port-a-let and food stations at the start line, overnight at the Texas Motor Speedway and at all break points. Persons serving food are required by law to wear gloves. For the safety of all cyclists, volunteers and staff, we encourage you to remain at home if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Again, we will post updates on our ride Web site to keep cyclists apprised of the ride’s status.

Rider numbers and what to pack

2009-04-30T10:12:00.001-05:00

What are all these numbers in my rider packet? - There are a lot of items in that small envelope, and here is what to do with them:

1. Rider number plate to attach to the front of your handlebars

2. Two-sided rider number plate that will fold over the center bar or top tube of your bike

3. Adhesive rider number for your helmet

4. Large rider number bib to attach to your back (Riders must also complete the necessary emergency/medical information on the back of this bib)

5. Wrist bracelet for Saturday and Sunday meals

6. Adhesive luggage tags, to be placed around luggage handles.

Twist ties are included to attach rider numbers to handlebars and center bar. Safety pins are included to attach the rider number bib to the back of your jersey.

What do I pack for the weekend? (print this list out; you'll be glad you did!!!)

Recommended Items you should have with you on your bike:

• Helmet -- REQUIRED

• Rider numbers and wristband – REQUIRED

• Padded bike shorts and jersey

• Cycling gloves and shoes

• Sunglasses, lip balm and sunscreen

• Tire patch kit, spare tubes and tire pump

• Identification (driver’s license)

• Emergency cash and credit card

• Water bottles and/or hydration pack

• Route Map

• Medications

• Camera and film

• Jacket and rain poncho (rain? Who said rain?)

Recommended items to pack in your Overnight Bag:

• Tent (optional)

• Sleeping bag and pillow (optional)

• Travel alarm clock

• Towel(s) for showers at TMS and Sundance Square (this is the #1 item that many riders forget every year!!!)

• Toiletries, including soap and shampoo

• Medications

• Change of clothes for Saturday afternoon/evening, and Sunday afternoon

• Plastic cover for bike seat on Saturday night (to prevent moisture on your seat Sunday morning from rain or humidity)

• Riding clothes for Sunday

• Change of clothes for trip home

• Comfortable shoes to wear while not riding

Jimmy Grossman

Bike MS - Team HP Captain

Join Team HP and help us cure Multiple Sclerosis!

Wear your HP Jersey to work Friday

2009-04-30T10:11:00.003-05:00

If you work in the Plano HP/EDS offices, all Team HP riders are strongly encouraged (and permitted!) to wear their HP cycling jersey to work on Friday, May 1^st!!! If you work at another HP/EDS location, please check with your local management to inquire if you can wear your jersey on Friday.

And if you work elsewhere outside of HP/EDS, I encourage you to inquire with your employer about wearing your jersey on Friday.

This is a perfect opportunity to help to spread the word about our team and most importantly, our cause. So PLEASE wear your HP jersey on Friday!!! And I am willing to bet that wearing your jersey will generate a few more donations for you as well!!!

Jimmy Grossman

Bike MS - Team HP Captain

Join Team HP and help us cure Multiple Sclerosis!

Hotel Rooms

2009-04-30T10:11:00.001-05:00

I now have two hotel rooms available for Saturday night at the Comfort Suites Roanoke, our Team HP hotel.

Please reply immediately if you or someone you know would like one of these rooms. The room rate is $84 plus tax. This is the VERY LAST CHANCE for these rooms!!!

Jimmy Grossman

Bike MS - Team HP Captain

Join Team HP and help us cure Multiple Sclerosis!

Texas Motor Speedway – Day 2 Start

2009-04-29T09:15:00.003-05:00

Arrive early—The morning moves fast, so I advise you to arrive early at the Speedway, so you can enjoy the start without feeling rushed. The hotel shuttle buses will begin at 4:30 am and run until 9:00 am. Note that hotel shuttles on not on a specific schedule, so just wait outside your hotel until a shuttle shows up. Comfort Suites Hotel only: If you are staying at our Team HP hotel, be outside of the hotel at 5:45 am for our quick trip directly to the Speedway via SAG vans.

Luggage—There will be two locations to drop off your luggage: (1) if you take a hotel shuttle bus to the Speedway, there will be a luggage drop right at the bus drop-off location, and (2) there will be a luggage drop as soon as you enter the Bike Compound (at the same spot where you picked up your luggage on Day 1). All luggage that is dropped off will be transported to the Finish in Sundance Square. NOTE: Be certain that you have EVERYTHING you need to ride before you drop your luggage!

Breakfast at the Speedway—A hot breakfast will be served at the MS Society food tent starting at 5:00 am.

Obtaining your bike—Locate your bike in the bike compound, by finding the rack that corresponds to your rider number. There will be hydration, as well as tire pumps near the bike compound exit. As you exit, you MUST show the attendants your bib number (which must be pinned on your jersey). The attendants will match your bib number to the rider numbers on your bike.

Two Starting Options—please note that there is no line-up for teams on the Day 2 start. The line-up is first-in, first-out.

Speedway Track (line up by 6:45)—if you plan to ride the first mile on the Speedway track, you must line up at the entrance ramp on the north side of the Speedway by 6:45 am. The doors will open about 6:45, and all riders will enter the track. As soon all riders are inside, the doors will close. Once you are inside, all riders will be directed to the Pit area next to the track. You must then wait in the Pit area, until riders are directed to start (around 7:00am). Riders will then do a full loop on the giant Speedway track! After completing the loop you will be directed to exit the Speedway the same way that you originally entered. PLEASE NOTE: While you are on the Speedway track, riders are prohibited from riding on the steep embankments!!

2. Skip the Track (line up by 7:00)—If you are not planning to ride on the Speedway track, simply ride around to the north end of the Speedway and turn right. Riders will be staged on this road, and should start by about 7:00. Please note that 7:00 is an estimate. Riders will not be permitted to start until the Police give their approval.

RIDE ON!— And remember that there is no rush to finish, so take your time, and enjoy the experience!

Sundance Square, Fort Worth — Day 2 Finish Please reference the Sundance Square Site Maps file as you read this section.

When you finish—First I say “thank you” for being part of Team HP, and for your support of the MS Society!! When you cross the finish line, SAVOR THE MOMENT, because you will have just completed a 160-mile 2-day journey that you’ll remember for a very long time! Be proud of yourself and celebrate your accomplishment!!!

Your bike—when you finish, you have two options for your bike:

Transport back to Frisco—if you want your bike to be transported back to Frisco ($15 fee, see Transportation item below), you will turn left on 4th Street, and an attendant will be right there to take your bike from you. Please note that trucks are filled one at a time. When a truck is full, it will depart for Frisco. Therefore you could arrive back in Frisco before your bike. However, if you hang out in Sundance Square for awhile, by the time you get back to Frisco your bike will be there too. Bikes that are transported to Frisco will be unloaded in one of the Embassy Suites ballrooms. NOTE: When picking up your bike in Frisco, have your rider bib number handy, because you MUST show it to an attendant who will match the bib number to the number on your bike.
Park your bike—if you wish to temporarily park your bike when you finish, turn right on 4th Street and cross over Houston Street. As soon as you cross Houston, you will see bike racks in the large Gateway Lot to the left. Place your bike anywhere that you wish. Note: there is also a smaller bike rack behind the Bud Light Stage.

Luggage—Your luggage will be unloaded and ready for you in the Gateway Lot. Luggage will be sorted by rider number to make it easier to locate. You may leave your luggage in this area all afternoon if you like, while you are enjoying the festivities and food.

Shower Trucks—There will be shower trucks in the Gateway Lot. These trucks have LOTS of hot water, and there’s nothing better than a hot shower after finishing. You’ll feel fresh and then you’ll definitely be ready to celebrate with your teammates, friends, and/or family.

Hang Out—Though we do not have a team tent at the finish line, look for all of your teammates, and plan to hang out together! Watch and cheer riders as they finish, enjoy the music, and definitely eat and drink! Stay as long as you like!!!

Dinner—Cabo Grande will be serving up dinner for you in the big food tent next to the finish line. You’ll be hungry, so take the time to eat and to re-hydrate, and enjoy time with your friends and family.

Parking—Garage parking in downtown Fort Worth is free on weekends, so definitely invite your friends and family to see you at the finish. Check the map for garage locations.

Transportation—Available for you and/or our bike. For $15, you can ride the shuttle bus from Sundance Square back to Frisco. And for another $15, you can also transport your bike back to Frisco. Shuttle buses will depart on 3rd Street, near Commerce Street, starting at Noon and running approximately every 30 minutes. If you pre-paid for a bus ticket and/or a bike ticket when you registered for the ride, you will just check-in at the table near the shuttle bus. If you did not pre-pay for the bus or bike tickets, you can pay on-site at the table near the shuttle bus. The last shuttle leaves after all riders have finished; no one will be left behind!

Stay for the Turtle!!—The “turtle” is the last rider to finish. I stayed last year to witness the turtle coming across the finish line, and it is a very moving and emotional experience. The turtle is followed by a mini-parade of more police, motorcycles, SAG vans, and support vehicles than you can imagine!!!

Jimmy Grossman

Bike MS - Team HP Captain

Join Team HP and help us cure Multiple Sclerosis!

Only a few days away

2009-04-28T15:47:00.001-05:00

As BikeMS looms just days away, two glorious days full of sweating, hurting, and hard breathing, I can’t help but think one thing:

UUUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Are you thinking the same thing?

I think the days leading up to BikeMS are worse than the ride itself. The thoughts of “why didn’t I train more?” and “this is going to SUCK!” and “What if it’s 1,000 degrees outside?” and “Oooh man, my crotch is going to HURT on Monday.” It’s brutal. Unless you’re like our fearless leader, who may or may not exercise for fun during his lunch hour (Seriously? Who does that?)

But then the day of the ride comes along, and you wake up at 5 a.m. and you know what goes through your head?

UUUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

No, that’s not the turning point. Did you think the turning point would be at 5 a.m.? No. It’s later than that. First time riders, it’s not fun to get up at 5 a.m. and lug your bike to Pizza Hut Park. That’s not the turning point.

The turning point is actually at 7 a.m., riding across the start line in a huge messy clump of slow-moving bikes, through the huge cheering crowd and the drumline playing a fun cadence. The turning point is the first rest stop, where you see scads of volunteers jumping up and down, cheering, and holding signs as they see you approaching. The turning point is when you see the volunteer in the wheelchair, helping hand out orange slices and Powerbars at the rest stop and saying “thanks for doing this.”

And then it’s worth it.

The sweating, being sore, the hills, the begging your friends for money, and hitting that bump on mile 46 that hurts your crotch WAY more than the one on mile 2. It’s all for that guy in the wheelchair, or the lady who’s driving the SAG wagon with MS, or the name written on the rider’s blue bandana in front of you.

That’s why you show up, even though you’re not as athletic as the seasoned riders. That’s why you begged for money in a bad economy. That’s why you pant up every single hill.

Don’t forget that at 5 a.m. on Saturday, and don’t forget it when you’re the last person to cross the finish line.

It’s all worth it.

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Turn by turn - Cumulative mileage

2009-04-28T09:50:00.000-05:00

This spreadsheet contains detail of the route, turn-by-turn. It also shows cumulative mileage, as well as distances between break points.

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Weather and Fundraising

2009-04-28T09:49:00.000-05:00

Weather

This is North Texas, so I am not going to even try to predict the weather, but let me tell you the basics… We will ride rain or shine. If conditions turn severe at any point, the MS Society would handle appropriately, by delaying a start, or holding riders at break points. And finally… let me point out the bright side… it will NOT be cold this weekend!! Ya gotta love that!

Fund-Raising

Our Team HP fund-raising total is now at $72,000!!! This total includes online donations, along with checks and cash that have been submitted and recorded by the MS Society. Now it is a great time to put your fund-raising in high gear, and help reach our team goal of 100,000!!! Remember that every dollar raised makes a positive impact in the lives of all persons affected by MS. Please keep fund-raising, because...

You have trained long and hard for many hours and miles, and you should be proud of yourself (I know I am)!!! And this is probably one of the best times to fund-raise… Now that we are so close to the "real thing", everyone you talk with about the ride will hear that excitement in your voice. So make this an opportunity to obtain a few more donations... Talk about Bike MS with everyone you can, and simply ask for their support.

Thanks to each of you for putting others before yourself. You are my inspiration!!

Jimmy Grossman

Bike MS - Team HP Captain

Join Team HP and help us cure Multiple Sclerosis!

Comfort Suites Roanoke - Hotel Logistics and Info

2009-04-28T09:48:00.001-05:00

This information is critical to all Team HP riders that are staying "team hotel", the Comfort Suites Roanoke…. (If you are NOT staying at the Comfort Suites, you can disregard this email)

Transportation - The MS Society provides complimentary shuttle bus service from the Speedway to and from the hotel. Please note that the hotel staff do not have any information about these shuttles because they are operated by the MS Society. So….Here is everything you need to know….

Saturday—the shuttles will run back and forth on Saturday from Noon to 9:30pm. The shuttle bus stop is at the northern end of all the tents. The stop is labeled “K” on the Team Tent Site Map. Shuttles will serve different hotels, so be sure that the shuttle your are boarding serves the "Comfort Suites Roanoke" hotel. If there is no sign on the shuttle or you are not sure, ask the driver!

Sunday—BIG PERK for Team HP—for the trip on Sunday morning, from the hotel to the Speedway, we will have approximately 5 SAG vans at the hotel to quickly carry our Team HP riders directly to the Speedway non-stop!! The SAG vans should arrive around 5:45 am (give or take 15 minutes either way), and they will park on the outer edge of the hotel parking lot. They will not pull directly up to the hotel entrance, because these vans are for HP riders only, so just walk out to the vans as they show up!! If you miss the SAG vans, or you want to leave the hotel earlier than 5:30am, you can always catch the regular shuttle buses as they show up.

Pool / Hot Tub - Bring a swim suit!!! The hotel has an outdoor pool and hot tub, so use them if you like!!! The pool is not heated, but it is open. The hot tub is open and functioning, so that might be nice to get the blood circulating after riding 86 miles!!!

Washer / Dryer – There is one washer and one dryer at the hotel, and they cost $1.00 each. Usually our riders have a “laundry party” of sorts, so we can wash many jerseys at once. After all, everyone wants to wear the new 2009 Team HP jersey on both days, right? So… you might want to write your initials on the tag inside your jersey, so you can identify your jersey if you are part of a laundry party!

The Waffle House – It’s become an annual ritual for many Team HP riders to trek down the hill from the hotel to the Waffle House for a Saturday evening snack/dinner. You’ll be surprised how hungry you may get Saturday evening so I hope you’ll join us. We usually go down around 7 or 7:30. Be sure to check with me at the hotel if you would like to be join us!! It’s more fun than you can imagine!!!

Sunday morning breakfast - At my request, the hotel has agreed to set up their complimentary breakfast at 5:00 (it may even be ready earlier, around 4:45). There should be cereals, muffins, toast, and yogurts available, along with plenty of coffee!!! There will also be a hot breakfast served by the MS Society at the Speedway starting at 5:00am.

Jimmy Grossman

Bike MS - Team HP Captain

Join Team HP and help us cure Multiple Sclerosis!

Texas Motor Speedway – Day 1 Finish!

2009-04-28T09:30:00.002-05:00

Please reference the PDF “Team Tent Site Map” as you read this post about what to expect on your Day 1 finish at Texas Motor Speedway.

The Finish line—enjoy the moment when you cross the finish line after pedaling 86 miles. There will be lots of spectators cheering you in! As soon as you cross, there will be hydration available if needed. Proceed forward, riding around the “Lil Texas Track”, and turning right. You will be directed into the large “bike compound”.

The Bike Compound—inside the bike compound, there are bike racks galore. All racks are marked with a range of numbers. Find the rack that corresponds to your rider number, and place your bike anywhere on that rack. The bike compound is a fenced and secured area, so there is no need to lock your bike.

Luggage—as you continue through the bike compound toward the team tents, you will pass by the luggage truck. Luggage is already unloaded and is ordered by rider number. Locate and pick up your luggage to carry with you.

Team HP Tent—head directly to the Team HP tent (#11 on the map), which will be your big hangout for sharing your Day 1 experience with your Team HP pals. You’ll be welcomed as soon as you enter the Team HP tent, and you can drop your luggage at the side of the tent. There will be massage therapists at the tent, and they will likely get busy, so you may want to immediately sign up on the massage list. Enjoy the festivities… grab some food, share some stories, and share some laughs with other HP riders. And remember that your friends and family are welcome at the Team HP tent also. We only ask that friends and family bring their own food and drink please.

Scout the rest of the site—There’s definitely a lot of fun to be had at the Team HP tent, but there are a lot of other activities going on all around. There are activities for kids, and there will be a band playing as well. Check it all out!

Shower up!—The Team HP tent is very close to the shower/restroom building, so get yourself a nice hot shower when you arrive.

Watch the finishers!—Our team tent is very near to the finish line, so walk on over and see your friends and teammates finish!!

Hotel shuttles—hotel shuttles run on Saturday from Noon to 9:30 pm. See letter “K” on the map for shuttle stop location. Be sure that you board the appropriate bus for your hotel. If you are staying at the Team HP hotel, look for buses going to the Comfort Suites Roanoke hotel.

Pitch a tent—if you are camping out, you may pitch a tent in the areas labeled on the map.

Sleep in the Team HP tent—if you want to camp out under the Team HP tent, you are welcome to do so. Just bring your sleeping gear.

If you have friends or family coming to Texas Motor Speedway, they should park in the main MS parking lot is marked on the “Speedway Parking” map with a large red dot. The lot is just to the south of the Day 1 finish line, and is easily accessed from route 114.

Jimmy Grossman

Bike MS - Team HP Captain

Join Team HP and help us cure Multiple Sclerosis!