Ride Details

Tentative Schedule of Events for 2023

Saturday, June 3 (Moraine State Park, South Shore - Portersville, PA)

• 5:00 AM - Parking lot opens
• 6:00 AM - Registration & snack/beverage area opens at the start line at Moraine State Park, South Shore

Day 1 Registration and Start Line Area Info

• Drop off your luggage to the luggage truck.
• Start Line Area will offer water, electrolyte option & snacks.
• Find the Bike MS backdrop and photo. Get a team photo.
• Got a packet issue? Visit the check-in area to get it solved.
• Raise $1,000 or more? Pick up your Club K jersey.
  • 7:00 AM - Ride Start (Cyclists will be released in waves, please follow the direction of Bike MS Staff)
  • 8:00 AM - All Cyclists must be on course
  • 12:00 PM - Century Route Access Closes. You must make it to the Century Access Point (Mile 42) before this time.
  • 5:00 PM - Route Closes

Day 1 Campus Info (Thiel College)

• 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Key pick up in Student Center
• 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM – Snack reception in Student Center
• 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM – Medical room open in Student Center
• 4:00 PM – 1 Day Rider Shuttle back to Start Line #1
• 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM – Team village & beer garden
• 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM – Dinner in Cafeteria
• 7:00 PM – Christian Worship Service in Chapel
• 7:30 PM – 1 Day Rider Shuttle back to Start Line #2
• 8:00 PM – Bike MS Celebration – Student Center

Sunday, June 4 at Thiel College

Day 2 - Campus Info

• Breakfast is available 5:00 AM - 7:30 AM in the cafeteria
• Take luggage back to luggage truck located at the Chapel
• Pick up Bike from Bike Storage (Passavant Center)
  • 7:00 AM - Ride Start
  • 8:00 AM - All cyclists must be on course.
  • 4:00 PM - Route Closes

Day 2 Finish Line Info (Conneaut, OH)

• Enjoy the finish line festivities/food & celebrate your accomplishment
• Pick up your luggage at the top of the hill

If riding the shuttle back to start line:

• Place your bike on a bike truck to be transported back to start line.
• Get on an accompanying shuttle bus and take your luggage with you.

With a variety of route options, you can choose the challenge that’s right for you. 

Bike MS routes are hosted by I Ride with GPS. This year there will be 2 route options on Saturday and 1 route option on Sunday.

Saturday, June 3

• Classic Route - 73 miles
• Century Route - 100 miles

Sunday, June 4

• Classic Route - 68 miles

Please note:

• All routes are on public roads.
• Routes are marked by spray chalk on roads & signage at intersections.
• Routes are subject to change. Please check back on June 1 for possible updates.

Fundraising Weeks

As a reward for your amazing fundraising, we will award the following prizes for Fundraising Weeks:

Week 1: March 27 - April 2

Top Fundraising Team (15+ Team Members) 

Winner: Hungarian ExCycled Racing Team ($2,221)

Top Fundraising Team (2 - 15 Members)

Winner: Team Hankster ($1,325)

Top Fundraising Individual

Winner: Annie Miller -Hungarian Excycled Racing Team ($925)

Week 2: April 24 - April 30

Top Fundraising Team (15+ Team Members)

Winner: Hungarian ExCycled Racing Team ($8,642)

Top Fundraising Team (2 - 15 Members)

Winner: Dick's Sporting Goods ($1,140)

Top Fundraising Individual

Winner: Lawrence Black - Hungarian Excycled Racing Team ($2,500)

Virtual 2023 Escape to the Lake Logistics Meeting

Thursday, May 11 @ 7:00 PM

Join us online! Your local Bike MS staff, Chris Pfeiffer, will help you get prepared for 2023 Bike MS: Escape to the Lake. Topics will include route options, ride support, overnight festivities, ride safety, suggested packing list & more. This will also be a time to get your questions answered about the event.

Join the Call

2023 Bike MS Packet Pick Up Dates & Locations

Packets will be available for pick up at the Pittsburgh office of the National MS Society prior to the event and will be available for pick up the morning of the ride.

NMSS Office
Cardello Building
1501 Reedsdale Street, Suite 105
Pittsburgh, PA 15233

Please note:  The NMSS Pittsburgh office is located in the Cardello Building on the North Shore of Pittsburgh, near the West End Bridge & the Rivers Casino. The office is located on the first floor and had it's own entrance. The entrance can be accessed from the South Parking lot and the door is on the right side of the building. Look for the orange Bike MS bike rack.

Packet Pick Up Times

NMSS Office

• Wednesday, May 24
  10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• Saturday, May 27
  9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Wednesday, May 31
  10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Moraine State Park, South Shore (Start Line Area)

Packets will be available for pick up the morning of the ride.

• Saturday, June 3
  6:00 AM

What’s in my rider packet? Your Bike MS packet contains many important items including your bib number, bike tag, emergency number wristband, luggage tags(2) and safety pins.

How do I receive my packet? You must meet the $300 fundraising minimum.

Why the $300 fundraising minimum? The National MS Society makes a concerted effort to utilize each dollar raised to help people living with multiple sclerosis. To continue making an impact on the lives of those living with MS through our fundraising efforts, the National MS Society requires all registered participants to have met the $300 minimum fundraising requirement prior to picking up their packet.

How do I sign the waiver? When you register online, the waiver is part of the registration process. Minors and anyone registering the day of the event must complete a paper or electronic copy of the waiver.

Can someone pick up my packet for me? Yes. A team member, team captain, or family member can pick up your packet on your behalf – only if you’ve met the $300 fundraising minimum and have a completed waiver.

Can you mail me my packet? Packets will NOT be available for mailing this year. Please contact NMSS staff with any special circumstances.

Can I make a donation at packet pick up? Yes, you can make a donation at packet pick up.

If you’ve raised $1,000 or more, you can also pick up your Club K jersey.

Questions about Packet Pick Up Locations:

May 24 & May 31 – (412) 904-5442

May 31 – (412) 904-5444

Thanks for riding with us in 2023. The Bike MS: Escape to the Lake event is a destination ride, meaning you'll show up at the start line and pedal to the finish line in Conneaut, OH. We have all your transportation needs covered. All shuttles and transportation is included in your registration fee. No additional charges required. You do the pedaling and we'll do the rest!

Luggage Transportation

We'll transport up to 2 pieces of luggage per rider. You'll receive luggage tags in your packet. Place the tags on your luggage. When you arrive at the start line, find the luggage truck and place your items on that truck. We'll transport your luggage overnight at Thiel College. You'll find your luggage at the college upon your arrival (please follow campus signage). Return your luggage to the luggage truck on the morning of Day 2 and we'll transport your luggage to the finish line in Conneaut, OH. You'll need to pick up your luggage at the Finish Line.

Day 1 Shuttle back to Start Line

For cyclists who are only joining us for Day 1 (Saturday), a shuttle for you and your bike is offered from Thiel College back to the Start Line. The bus and bike shuttles are offered at 4 pm and 7:30 pm.

Day 1 Campus Shuttles

Shuttles from official Bike MS hotels are offered to and from campus during the weekend. Find shuttle information at the Bike MS Check-In Tent on campus.

Day 2 People Shuttle from Finish Line to Start Line

Shuttle buses are offered from Conneaut, OH back to the Start Line in Portersville, PA. After you cross the finish line and enjoy the finish line festivities, head up the steps to find the shuttle buses and bike trucks at the top of the hill. Cyclists are responsible for picking up their luggage, transporting their luggage & bike to shuttles and trucks located in the upper lot. Buses leave once full and approximately on the hour.

Day 2 Bike Shuttle from Finish Line to Start Line

Bikes will be transported back via trucks in coordination with buses.

Finish Line

Conneaut Twp Park - 2nd Entrance
480 Lake Road
Conneaut, OH 44030

Start Line

Moraine State Park, South Shore
225 Pleasant Valley Rd
Portersville, PA 16051

The 2023 Bike MS: Escape to the Lake overnight is at Thiel College in Greenville, PA. All 2 day participants need to book their own accommodations.

Please book Thiel College Accommodations online.

3 Options for Onsite Accommodations (Stay onsite on the campus of Thiel)

• Air Conditioned Room (limited quantity available)
• Non Air Conditioned Room 
• Camping (Indoor or Outdoor)

To make a reservation at Thiel College over the phone, please call Thiel College, Special Events Department at (724) 589-2240.  If you plan on staying on campus, you will need to bring your own pillow.

Team Suites at Thiel College

A limited number of Team Suites are available on campus. Team suites are air conditioned and sleep 4 participants and cost $300 per suite.

To reserve a team suite or for other accommodation questions, please contact Bike MS Manager, chris.pfeiffer@nmss.org or (412) 261-6347, ext. 63222.

Off-Site Accommodations (Stay offsite in a local hotel)

• The Greenville Cobblestone Hotel & Suites 
  81 Hadley Road
  Greenville, PA 16125
  (724) 588-4200
  
  Bike MS Room Block Rate $129.99
  Room block cut off date - May 3, 2023

Please note, there will be a shuttle service to this hotel, to and from Thiel College campus. There is also a limited number of rooms available at the hotel.

Free parking for the 2023 Bike MS: Escape to the Lake event will be available at Start Line Area at Moraine State Park, South Shore. Please park in the rows near the beach area and follow parking guidance. Participants are welcome to leave their vehicles there for the entirety of the event. Participants can pick up their vehicles upon return to the Start Line Area after completion of the event or any time throughout the weekend. 

Please check the Lodging & Transportation page for more information about shuttles from the finish line back to your vehicle.

Moraine State Park, South Shore
225 Pleasant Valley Rd
Portersville, PA 16051

Bike MS is an extraordinary ride no matter where you are! Whether you have a flat tire or need a snack to help get you across the finish line, we’ve got you covered…  

Each route includes fully-stocked rest stops every 10 to 12 miles with some of the best snacks and volunteers around. Relax, hydrate, use the restroom, re-apply sunscreen and enjoy the volunteers. Bike mechanics and support and gear (SAG) vehicles will also be on the route to assist you.  

After the ride, we will have plenty of food at the finish line.

Meals & Food

Food at the Saturday start line will be limited. Water, sports drinks, breakfast bars and bananas will be available. Please arrive with a full stomach, full water bottles and be ready to get on the road! At the rest stops enjoy individually packaged sweet and
salty snacks, fruit and more. Cyclists, please bring your own water bottles. See additional information regarding rest stop support listed below. Saturday lunch will be offered at a Rest Stop on course. Saturday dinner & Sunday breakfast will be available
to all participants at the Thiel dining hall on campus. Sunday lunch will be available at the finish line in Conneaut, OH. All meals, food & beverages are included in your registration.

Rest Stops: First Class Support

Rest stops approximately every 10-15* miles featuring food (and drinks), fun, festivities and smiling faces.

Route Markings

We make every effort to ensure you won’t get lost. The route will be clearly marked with direction signs, including on straightaways, so you will know you're riding in the right direction. Have a smartphone? Download the I Ride with GPS(https://ridewithgps.com/)
app. Routes are currently being finalized.

Medical Support & Emergency Assistance

Emergency medical support travels the entire route in the event that a cyclist may be injured. Help us provide top-notch first aid by completing the back of your rider number. In addition, an emergency number will be printed on the wristband included in your
rider number packet. Use this number during the ride if you spot an accident.

Support and Gear (SAG) Vehicles

Just can’t push another pedal, or just need a ride to the next stop? SAG Vehicles rove the route and rest stops. Make sure you are in a safe/visible location and wave down the first SAG wagon to come your way or call the SAG number on your wristband for a ride.

PLEASE NOTE: The trip into the finish line is not always direct. Be patient as we pick up other cyclists in need. Personal SAG Vehicles PROHIBITED. Personal SAG vehicles are not permitted on the route. Please understand our need to cut down on vehicular traffic
for YOUR SAFETY. No trailers, tagalongs or child carriers are allowed on the route per the Society’s Youth Riders policy.

Bike Mechanical Support

Escape to the Lake sponsoring Bike Shops will be located at the start location and select rest stops to provide minor repairs. Note: mechanical support is limited, please ensure your bike is Bike MS ready! Get your bike inspected prior to ride weekend to identify
any major issues, and ensure your bike is in excellent riding condition.

Police, Fire Police, Route Support & Communities Who Welcome Us

Please be respectful of the communities that support and welcome Bike MS! Their hospitality makes this event possible. Every effort is made to keep you safe. Where possible, local law enforcement agencies have been recruited to help you travel safely through
intersections and on shared roadways. Please thank the motorcycle volunteers as they manage intersections and help keep riders safe.