Ride Details

Friday, June 7th

• 4:00pm-7:00pm – Packet Pick Up and Housing Check In

Saturday, June 8th – West Michigan Day 1

• 5:30am-7:00am - Breakfast in Phelps Hall dining room café
• 6:30am-7:30am - Check in and registration in Dow Center
• 6:50am – Kick Off program starts
• 7am - Route Opens   
• 8am – All riders must be on the route
  • For safety reasons, any rider starting after 8am will be taken to the first rest stop to catch up with all the other cyclists.     
• 10am – 1pm - Lunch available on route South Haven Emergency Service rest stop
• 11:00am-5:00pm – Finish Line Festival! Details to come soon!
• 11:00am-5:30pm - Housing check in inside Dow Center
• 1:30pm – Century route opening closes
• 5:00pm - Route closes
• 5:30pm - Dinner in Phelps Hall dining room café
• 6:00pm - Gear It Up Celebration in Phelps Hall dining room café.
  • The program will be short, fun, and informative with special recognition given to Team Captains, Veteran Riders, Top Fundraisers and Volunteers. It is something you will not want to miss. 

Sunday, June 9th – West Michigan Day 2

• 5:30am-7:00am - Breakfast in Phelps Hall dining room café
• 6:30am-7:30am - Check in and registration in Dow Center
  • You must have your belongings out of your dorm room before you start riding. You can turn your key in at breakfast or check in.
• 6:50am - Kick Off program starts
• 7am - Route opens
• 8am – All riders must be on the route
  • For safety reasons, any rider starting after 8am will be taken to the first rest stop to catch up with all the other cyclists.     
• 10am – 1pm - Lunch available on route at Riverside Park rest stop
• 11:00am – 5:30pm - Lunch/ dinner available at the Dow Center
• 1:30pm – Century route opening closes
• 5:00pm - Route closes

With a variety of route options, 30, 50, 75, and 100 miles you can choose the challenge that’s right for you. On Saturday, routes will take you south out of Holland through charming small towns such as East Saugatuck. You can see views of Lake Michigan and a winery rest stop. On Sunday, routes will take you north of Holland with more views of Lake Michigan. We offer many rest stops along the way.  

View 2024 routes on Ride with GPS.

*Routes are subject to change

Site Maps

Stay tuned for site maps!

Logistics Meeting

Date: Thursday, May 2, 2024
Time: 5:30pm to 6:15pm
Location: Microsoft Teams - Click here to join the meeting

Bike MS Fundraising Week is proudly sponsored by Point B, an organization who shares our commitment to creating a world free of MS. Elevate your fundraising and win some prizes along the way.

Fundraising Weeks run Monday through Sunday at midnight. Each fundraising week will have winners in the following categories*: 

• Team
• Individual rider (team member or non-team member)
  *Based on the highest amount of online fundraising (total dollars raised) this week

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

Fundraising Week 1: April 1-7

Fundraising Week 2: April 29 – May 5

Prizes

• Team Prize: Upgraded team tent. This includes 10x20 tent near the finish line, team sign, snacks and cooler with ice.
• Individual Prize: $50 gift card to New Holland Brewing

Who Can Pick Up a Packet?

To pick up your packet, you must meet the $250 fundraising minimum and have a completed waiver on file. If you registered online, you've already completed a waiver during the registration process. Please note: Riders under 18 will need a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

Another team member, team captain or family member may pick up your packet for you, as long as you've reached your fundraising minimum and have already turned in a signed waiver.

In Person Packet Pick Up

Your Bike MS packet contains important items including your rider bib, event details and sponsor giveaways. To pick up your packet, you must meet the $250 fundraising minimum and have a completed waiver on file. If you registered online, then you completed a waiver during the registration process.

You are REQUIRED to fill out the entire emergency contact form on the back of your rider number. For your safety and in case of emergency, YOUR RIDER NUMBER MUST BE PINNED ON YOUR OUTER CLOTHING and always be visible while riding.

Friday, June 7th

• 4:00pm – 7:00pm
• Dow Center

Saturday, June 8th

• 6:30am – 7:30am
• Dow Center

Sunday, June 9^th

• 6:30am – 7:30am
• Dow Center

The Dow Center is located at 168 E. 13th Street, Holland, MI 49423

Lodging

Hope College On-Site Housing

After a long ride, you'll need someplace to freshen up and rest your weary head. Below are your lodging options for the Bike MS: Great Lakes West Michigan Breakaway 2024.

Dorm rooms are available at Hope College and must be reserved ahead of time. If you would like to reserve a dorm room, please fill out the following form by Friday, May 24^th.
Housing Request

***New In 2024** Hope College no longer provides linen packages.  You will be responsible for bringing your own linens. The sheet size for the beds are twin.

2024 Dorm Housing Fees. All rooms are non-air conditioned.

• $27.86 per person- Double occupancy dorm room Saturday night (June 8th)
• $43.28 per person – Single occupancy dorm room Saturday night (June 8th)
• $55.72 per person – Double occupancy dorm room Friday night (June 7th) AND Saturday night (June 8th) *Includes breakfast Saturday morning.
• $86.56 per person – Single occupancy dorm room Friday night (June 7th) and Saturday night (June 9th) *Includes breakfast Saturday morning.

The beds are lofted 42 inches off the ground. If you need an accessible room, please make that selection during housing sign up.

There is a $20 charge for every key not returned and a $30 charge for every access card not returned in the original envelope.

You will turn in your keys before you ride at breakfast or check in. Showers will be available for use in the Dow Center locker rooms. Make sure to bring your own towel for the locker rooms.

Parking Info

Free overnight parking is available in lots 30, 31, 52 and 53 on the Hope College Campus. Accessible parking is available in lot 32.

Please DO NOT park overnight on the streets in Holland as your vehicle may be ticketed and towed at your expense.

Food

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.  

Several meals are in Phelps Hall café, and we ask that you use the Maas entrance. You will be given a wristband to show upon entering. All meals are provided to cyclists and volunteers free of charge. The cost is $10 per meal for guests and can be paid to MS staff or volunteer located outside of the dining room.

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!

• Rest Stops: At the rest stops, enjoy individually packaged sweet and salty snacks such as Goldfish, energy bars or gel, fruit and more. Cyclists must bring their own water bottles. 
• Saturday Breakfast: Breakfast is available in Phelps Hall Café for those staying in the dorms on Friday night.
• Saturday Lunch: Lunch will be provided for all cyclists at the X rest stop. See additional information about rest stop support below. Sandwiches, chips, fruit, and snacks will be available.
• Saturday Dinner: Join us in the Phelps Hall dining room café for dinner and the Gear Up Celebration.
• Sunday Breakfast: Breakfast is available in Phelps Hall Café
• Sunday Dinner: At the Sunday finish line, enjoy a BBQ dinner from Q It Up BBQ. Menu coming soon!

If you have any dietary restrictions, please contact Jeanne Langley at Jean.Langley@nmss.org

Bicycle Types Permitted

Except for a specific class of e-bike as described below, all participants in Bike MS events are only permitted to use “self-propelled” bicycles without motors. No rollerblades, pedicabs or trailers will be permitted on Bike MS rides, without express prior permission from the National MS Society’s Legal and Risk Management Department.

Only Class 1 Electric Bicycles (e-bikes) are allowed in the West Michigan event.

A Class 1 electric bike, otherwise known as a low-speed pedal-assisted bicycle is a bike equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to assist when the bicycle reaches a top speed of 20 miles per hour.

Cyclists on e-bikes are asked to be extremely cautious when riding for their safety and the safety of the cyclists on regular bikes. In addition, riders should note that our SAG vehicles are not equipped to handle multiple e-bike pickups.

All batteries and charging is the responsibility of the rider and Bike MS West Michigan will not provide charging stations along the routes.

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. First aid stations will also be available.

Support and Gear (SAG) Vehicles

Just can’t push another pedal, or just need a ride to the next stop? Several SAG vehicles rove the route and rest stops.

If you are in need of a SAG vehicle you can call the number on your wristband. Flip your bike upside down and wave down the first SAG wagon to come your way. You and your bike will be transported. If you cannot continue to ride, a SAG vehicle will give you a ride to the next rest stop.

Note: The trip into the finish line is not always direct. Be patient as we pick up other cyclists in need. If you only want a ride to the next rest stop, let the driver know.  Always remember to thank your driver, who is volunteering his or her time for the weekend to support you.

Personal SAG Vehicles are 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

Sponsoring bike shops will be located at the start location and the rest stops to provide minor repairs.  Get your bike inspected to identify any major issues, and ensure your bike is in excellent riding condition to guarantee free mechanical support ride weekend.

Police & 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.

Be courteous, as they help you travel safely through their communities. Visit the Training & Prep page for more details on safe and courteous cycling behavior.

Note that your family and friends can cheer you on at the start/finish line.

Bike Shops

The support from local bike shops is crucial; bike mechanics will be located throughout the ride along with yearly support from shops in the area.  For more Bike Shop information check out your Training and Prep page!