LAST MINUTE TIPS

Some last minute reminders and suggetions as you are getting ready for this weekend.

Packet Pickup

Friday, May 1, 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Host hotel:Hampton Inn and Suites-Savannah Historic District

201MLK Jr. Blvd., Savannah, GA 31401

912-721-1600 or 1-800-426-7866

visit their website for more information

Visit our website for more information about packet pickup.

• Do I have to attend the Packet Pickup?
• What is included in the rider packet?
• What do I need to bring with me?
• RIDERS UNDER 18

Friday and Saturday nights you have chance to explore the unique city of Savannah and eat at one of a kind restaurants. Visit the Savannah Visitors website for recommendations of places to eat and things to do and see while visiting. Savannah Restaurant and dining guide.

Don't forget!

what to bring with you on the ride:

• your helmet-THIS IS REQUIRED!
• Padded bike shorts, jersey
• cycling gloves, good atletic shoes
• sunglasses, lip balm, sunscreen
• patch, spare tubes, tire pump
• identification (driver's license)
• emergency cash, credit card
• water bottles, hydration pack
• rider numbers & wristband
• ride maps & cue sheets
• medications, hand sanitizer
• rain poncho (just in case)

Overnight bag suggestions:

• Tent, sleeping bag and pillow if you are camping
• travel alarm clock
• towel & toiletries for on-sight shower
• medications
• change of clothes for Saturday & Sunday

We know that you have worked hard fundraising and training for this ride. We look forward to seeing you in Savannah in a few days for a fantastic weekend!

What a unique ride!

Did you know that Bike MS: Georgia Power Savannah Ride takes you through some very unique and beautiful areas! Over the course of the weekend you will ride through historic downtown Savannah, Dutch Island, Isle of Hope, and Thunderbolt.

Savannah’s architecture and history are internationally know, as is its reputation for southern charm and hospitality. Each year Savannah attracts millions of visitors from across the country and world. Savannah offers access to beautiful beaches and small Georgia Islands as well as tours of historic homes, beautiful churches, and unique downtown shopping and restaurants. Visit their website for more information and fun things to see and do: http://www.savannahvisit.com

The ride will take you through the gated community of Dutch Island. Dutch Island is a small community nestled in the Inter-Coastal Waterways near Savannah GA. It is a private, gated community with a rich history. It is surrounded by salt water marsh and the inter-coastal waterway including Skidaway River, Herb River, Wilmington River and Grimbal Creek. What a beautiful community to ride through.

The community website of the Isle of Hope describes this community as having expansive live oaks, magnolias, and azaleas, and is as charming as its name implies. But it is somewhat false advertising because Isle of Hope is not really an island, but a sandy peninsula with a high bluff looking over to Skidaway Island across the Intracoastal Waterway at Skidaway Narrows at the Isle of Hope River. It has many beautiful antebellum homes and old summer cottages which has made it ideal for old movie settings.

The town of Thunderbolt is in Chatham County situated close to Savannah. It is 1.3 square miles with a population of approximately 2,000 people. It owes its name to a legend of lightening strike that created a freshwater spring on the Wilmington Bluff.

What a unique and great way to visit some of the prettiest places in Savannah!

Enjoy your ride!

Why I Ride?

The reason why you choose to participate in our bike rides can be a truely inspiring story to someone. Share with others your reasons and you may inspire them to join your team or to give to the cause.

Renee Spivey of the Domestiques has been riding since 1991. She says that she will continue to ride until there is a cure for MS. Spivey states, "these are the reasons I ride. I cannot imagine living a life with the uncertainty that people with MS endure. I cannot imagine not getting to ride because my symptoms are flaring up like my friend Marge had happen lately. I cannot imagine the fear of getting pregnant because I would have to stop my MS meds like my friends Chasity and Kat went through. I cannot imagine the inconvenience of needing to stay cool to reduce symptoms when living in the South like my friend Emily. I cannot imagine the fear of potentially having to change careers because I can no longer do the job I am passionate about like my friend Officer Byrd".

Safety tips for all skill levels

The following safety tips are from the League of American Bicyclists. For more safety tips and more information about them you can visit their website at http://www.bikeleague.org/

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF BICYCLING

I. Wear a helmet for every ride and use lights at night
II. Conduct an ABC Quick Check before every ride
III. Obey traffic laws: ride on the right, slowest traffic farthest to right
IV. Ride predictably and be visible at all times
V. At intersections, ride in the right-most lane that goes in your direction
VI. Scan for traffic and signal lane changes and turns
VII. Be prepared for mechanical emergencies with tools and know-how
VIII. Control your bike by practicing bike handling skills
IX. Drink before you are thirsty and eat before you are hungry
X. Have fun!

STRETCHING WHILE RIDING

Stretching and exercising is important to do before you start out on your ride. Here are some great tips on ways and reasons you should stretch and warm up.

1. Reasons to stretch
-It reduces tightness and strain in your neck, back, shoulders, arms and face
-You are able to ride longer with less fatigue; recover faster with post-ride stretches
-Always warm-up muscles before stretching; cold stretching can cause injury

2. Be careful
-Never attempt these stretches while riding in a group or paceline situation
-Check for traffic, slow down and maintain control of your bicycle
-Attempt stretches only on smooth, flat, dry pavement

3. Lower and middle back stretches
-With one hand on the bar, reach back and place your forearm across your lower back
-Twist your upper body toward the hand that is behind you; hold for 5 seconds
-Look over your shoulder and move that shoulder back while moving the other forward

4. Shoulder and neck
-Reach across chest to opposite shoulder as far as comfortable; hold for 5 seconds
-Lift shoulders toward your ears until you feel tensions
-Hold for 5 seconds, then slowly roll back to original positions

5. Fingers and forearms
-Place hand on hip, palm down, fingers up; straighten elbow to stretch for 10 seconds
-Place fingers on handlebar and push down to stretch forearms; hold for 5 seconds
-Bend hand back as far as possible; rotate wrist back and forth; hold for 5 seconds

6. Face and jaw
-Open your mouth in an "O" then move your lips right to left to stretch cheek muscles
-Open your mouth wide to stretch jaw muscles
-Never clench your teeth while riding

7. Back
-Arch your back while lowering your head slightly
-Then straighten your back and lift your head up to straighten your spine
-Hold each for 5 seconds; perform both stretches consecutively

6. Legs
-While coasting, straighten one leg in the 6 o'clock positron and drop your heel
-In the 3 and 9 o'clock position, stand and drop both heels; switch feet and repeat
-Hold each stretch for 10 seconds and repeat

Ideas for Generating Donations

Does the thought of raising money have you overwhelmed? Did you set a goal that seems unattainable? Try taking it one day at a time. In 10 days you can raise $1,000. Here is how you can do it.

*Day 1: Start by making a personal contribution to your ride efforts for $50.

Day 2: Ask 2 of your family members to contribute $50 each.

Day 3: Ask 10 friends to contribute $20 each.

Day 4: Ask 5 co-workers to contribute $20 each.

Day 5: Ask 5 neighbors to contribute $20 each.

Day 6: Ask 10 people at your place of worship to contribute $10 each.

Day 7: Ask your company for a $50 contribution and find out if the company will match what you raise-dollar for dollar.

Day 8: Ask 5 companies that your business works with to contribute $50 each.

Day 9: Ask 4 businesses that you frequent personally to contribute $25 each.

Day 10: Share your success with a friend! Your grand total will be $1000!

Feel free to modify our suggestions to best fit you and your goals. You will be surprised at the results when you set attainable goals for yourself each day.

**Don’t forget to tell everyone their pledge is tax deductible!

Get Ready for Bike MS: Georgia Power Savannah Ride!

Endorsed by ardent cyclists and novices alike, the ride offers a two-day fundraising ride through the world-renowned city of Savannah, Georgia, steeped in history and beauty. Quickly becoming one of Georgia’s two-day cycling traditions, the Bike MS: Georgia Power Savannah Ride is a non-profit sporting event celebrating its fourth year in the fight against multiple sclerosis.

Like its sister bike ride the Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride, this event is reaching new heights in an effort to better the lives of all Georgians living with MS. By joining hundreds of riders, participants will be making a profound difference in the lives of people living with MS who are served by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Georgia Chapter. The Bike MS: Georgia Power Savannah Ride is one of two rides hosted by the National MS Society-Georgia Chapter that together will raise more than $1.4 million for client programs and research in 2009. Both tours are regarded by cycling enthusiasts as premier rides in Georgia, with experienced management, well-coordinated routes, and special attention to riders’ safety and comfort.

The Bike MS: Georgia Power Savannah Ride 2009 will once again highlight picturesque routes through Savannah’s Low Country and historical landmarks. It will also feature a figure 8 route, allowing for greater efficiency and fun at the Start, Finish and Overnight Celebration all headquartered at our host location, the Roundhouse Railroad Museum, a National Historic Landmark site that is the oldest and largest existing 19th century railroad operations complex in the nation. As part of their weekend experience, cyclists can tour the steam and diesel locomotives, rail cars, steam-powered machinery, and model railroads.

For more information and to register, please visit www.bikemssavannah.org.