Over 300 cyclists will attempt to raise $210,000 and ride up to 150 miles over two days in the annual Bike MS: Arizona to rally around a cure for multiple sclerosis (MS)—a neurological disease affecting nearly 1 million people living in the U.S., which currently has no known cause or cure. Bike MS: Arizona, hosted by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, will depart from McDowell Mountain Regional Park on March 28 –including options to ride within the park, off-road mountain biking, or road routes—and conclude at McDowell Mountain Regional Park on March 29. Participants will camp in the park throughout the event, with festivities like live music, beer garden, and an entire rider village occurring at the park throughout the weekend.
“It’s incredibly powerful to watch hundreds of people ride 100 miles for a cause,” said Karen LaPolice Cummins, President, National MS Society, Arizona. “MS is a disease that, although nearly 1 million Americans live with the neurological disease, most people don’t know or understand what MS is. Bike MS Arizona: Endeavor in the Desert is our way of shining some awareness on MS, because it’s going to take all of us to find a cure.”
Bike MS: Arizona is one of nearly 70 rides across the country. This year, more than 80,000 people are expected to participate in Bike MS nationwide. Each cyclist at Bike MS: Arizona commits to raising a minimum of $250 dollars. Nationally, Bike MS cyclists, volunteers, and donors have raised more than $1.3 billion since the first ride in 1980, which goes toward research for a cure as well as programs to help those with MS live their best lives today.
For more details, including registration to participate/volunteer, visit BikeMS.org or call 855-372-1331.
Primal is the Premier National Sponsor of Bike MS and the official National Cycling Apparel Sponsor. Primal also sponsors “I Ride with MS,” a special program recognizing Bike MS cyclists living with the disease. Left Hand Brewing is the National Sponsor of Bike MS. Bike MS Arizona is locally presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. Other Local sponsors include Point B, Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company, and BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse.
About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. There is currently no cure for MS. Symptoms vary from person to person and range from numbness and tingling, to mobility challenges, blindness and paralysis. An estimated 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50 and it affects women three times more than men.
