Ride Details

Tentative Schedule of Events for 2024

Saturday, June 1 (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
  • 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
• 7:30 PM – 1 Day Rider Shuttle back to Start Line #2
• 7:30 PM – Bike MS Celebration – Student Center

Sunday, June 2 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 Ride with GPS. This year there will be 3 route options on Saturday and 1 route option on Sunday. Routes are still being finalized.

Saturday, June 1

(Portersville, PA to Greenville, PA)

• Express Route - 62 miles (Please note: Express Route Participants will by pass the on route lunch option and pedal straight to Thiel College. Lunch will be available in the Bistro at Thiel College)
• Classic Route - 70 miles 
• Century Route - 100 miles

Sunday, June 2

(Greenville, PA to Conneaut, OH)

• Classic Route - 68 miles 

See all the routes on the Ride with GPS Event Preview Page

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 May 15 for possible updates.

Virtual 2024 Escape to the Lake Logistics Meeting

Wednesday, May 15 @ 7:00 PM

Join us online! Your local Bike MS staff, Chris Pfeiffer, will help you get prepared for 2024 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

2024 PA Keystone Market Bike MS Kick Off Event

Date: Tuesday, November 14th
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: 2120 Jane St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Join us on Tuesday, November 14^th from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm for a Bike MS Kickoff event at Velum Fermentation  located at 2120 Jane St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. This will be a fun evening where you get to hang out with fellow cyclists and Bike MS Staff as we look towards the 2024 Bike MS rides. All our welcome.  This evening is for both current and interested participants of both Bike MS Rides( Escape to the Lake and the Glimcher Keystone Country Ride)  It is also a great time to bring someone who is interested in joining Bike MS this year who wants more information.  The evening will include celebrating our 2023 success, a look towards the 2024 rides, and a mission moment. Click here to RSVP.

Questions? Contact Chris Pfeiffer at chris.pfeiffer@nmss.org or (412) 904-5444.

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.

2024 Bike MS Fundraising Weeks

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

Week 1: March 25 - March 31

Top Fundraising Team (15+ Team Members) – 1 Free Team Suite at Thiel College (sleeps 4)

(highest amount of team fundraising online during fundraising week)

Winner: Hungarian ExCycled Racing Team

Top Fundraising Team (2 - 15 Members) - Free Team Tent in Team Village Area at Thiel College

(highest amount of team fundraising online during fundraising week)

Winner: Team DSG

Top Fundraising Individual - Local Lunch with Chris Pfeiffer or Restaurant Gift Card

(highest amount of fundraising online during fundraising week)

Winner: Earl Bohn (Hungarain ExCycled Racing Team)

Week 2: April 22 - April 28

Top Fundraising Team (15+ Team Members) – Free Team Tent in Team Village Area at Thiel College

(highest amount of team fundraising online during fundraising week)

Winner: Hungarian ExCycled Racing Team

Top Fundraising Team (2 - 15 Members) - Special Delivery of Packets Prior Ride*

(highest amount of team fundraising online during fundraising week)

*Drop off or mailing can be arranged for the team

Winner: Team DSG

Top Fundraising Individual - Local Lunch with Chris Pfeiffer or Restaurant Gift Card

(highest amount of fundraising online during fundraising week)

Winner: Alan Iszauk (Hungarian ExCycled Racing Team)

2024 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. Please contact Chris Pfeiffer with any questions at (412) 904-5444.

Packet Pick Up Times

NMSS Office

• Wednesday, May 22
  10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Saturday, May 25
  9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Wednesday, May 29
  10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Moraine State Park, South Shore (Start Line Area)

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

• Saturday, June 1
  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.

Thanks for riding with us in 2024. 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

2024 Overnight Location: Thiel College in Greenville, PA.

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 $400 per suite.

To reserve a team suite or for other accommodation questions, please contact Bike MS Manager, chris.pfeiffer@nmss.org or (412) 904-5444.

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 - April 30, 2024

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 2024 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

We take pride in an extraordinary ride experience. Here are the ways we’ll take care of you on this Bike MS Ride:

Food & Meals

• 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!
• Each day the route includes fully stocked rest stops every 10 to 15 miles with some of the best snacks and volunteers around. Relax, hydrate, refuel, use the restroom, re-apply sunscreen and gear up to complete your Bike MS adventure.
• At the rest stops enjoy individually packaged sweet and salty snacks, fruit and more.
• 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.

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!

A very special thank you to our 2024 Bike MS photographers Gary Margeson and Frank Kendrella for volunteering their talents. Please find Escape to the Lake event photos at the links below:

• Gary's Photos
• Frank's Photos