Ride Details

Start/finish location: Lakeside Beach State Park, 13691 Roosevelt Hwy, Waterport, NY 14571

Ride Requirement Reminders: Visit the Ride Info Requirements section of the Registration page for more details.

Start Time and Release Details:

• 7:00am – Registration and packet-pick up opens in Festival area
  • Visit the Packet Pick Up section below for more details on obtaining your packet.
  • Visit Food & Support section of this page for breakfast details
• 8:00am – 62.5-mile/Metric century route begins (please begin gathering near start line at 7:45 for opening ceremony)
• 9:00am – 30-mile and 16-mile routes being (please begin gathering near start line at 8:45 for opening ceremony)

Post Ride Events

• 11:00am – Lunch service opens. Lunch provided by Effortlessly Healthy Food Truck. Vegan and gluten free options will be available.
• 11:00am – Beer garden opens for riders ages 21+ to receive up to two complementary beers.
• 1:30pm – Awards presented to 2024 recipients.
• 3:00pm – Lunch service and beer garden close.

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

All routes will start and end at Lakeside State Park, overlooking Lake Ontario, providing an opportunity for you to celebrate your accomplishments with your fellow team members while you enjoy your Bike MS time together.

ROC the Great Lakes features three routes that are great for any level of rider. Each route heads west as you leave Lakeside State Park and follows the shore of Lake Ontario before heading south then returning to Lakeside State park. Riders will find rest stops stocked with awesome volunteers, cold drinks and snacks located approximately every 8 – 14 miles along the route. The routes are flat, with the greatest incline at 2%. All routes are on open roads with light traffic. With three route options, riders are certain to find a route to challenge themselves on ride day.

Ride Morning / Start Details:

Start/finish location: Main Pavilion at Lakeside State Park, NY-18, Waterport, NY 14571

Start Time and Release Details:

7:00 – 8:00am – Packet pick up and registration opens
8:00am – Welcome and 62.5-mile route begins
9:00am – 30-mile and 16-mile routes begin

IMPORTANT REMINDER: all participants must have a helmet and visible rider number to participate. 

Route Maps

We’re excited to bring you three route options for the 2024 ROC the Great Lakes so you can choose the challenge that’s right for you. Please note, the links below are to the 2023 routes. These routes are provided for your planning purposes, and we don’t expect major route changes in 2024.

• 16 miles – The shortest route option that’s not short on FUN. This route is mostly flat and a good option for beginner riders. The rest stop (and beautiful lake view) are located at:
  • Mile 7 – Yates Town Park
• 30 miles – The 30-mile route
  • Mile 7 – Yates Town Park
  • 20.5 – Yates Baptist Church
• 62.5 miles – If you’ve wanted to earn the bragging right of completing a metric century (100 km), this is the route for you. Rest stops are located at:
  • Mile 7 – Yates Town Park
  • Mile 19.4 – Black Bird Cider Works
  • Mile 28.2 – Krull Park
  • Mile 41.5 – Somerset Town Park
  • Mile 50.2 – Yates Baptist Church

2024 Cue Sheets & Maps: Ride With GPS

Take a look at the route maps ahead of the ride and download cue sheets (Ride With GPS best viewed in Google Chrome). A limited quantity of cue sheets will be available at the start. Riders are encouraged to follow the colored route markers. Note: routes are always subject to change and the arrows marking the route will show the most current route.

View the 2023 Bike MS: ROC the Great Lakes routes here:

• 16-mile route option
• 30-mile route option
• 62.5-mile route option

To Get Ride With GPS App (its free!):

1. Go to your App Store
2. Search for: Ride with GPS (Red cyclist on a black background)
3. Download the app (it’s free!) While the app is free, using the Turn by Turn feature is part of a paid subscription. If you use another bike computer, you can download the file from Ride with GPS and load it onto your computer.
4. Go to your internet browser app - (Safari, Google Chrome, etc.)
5. Visit the Ride with GPS website for your route
6. Click “Open in App”
7. Once you’re in the app you can Download or Navigate to stream the route

Route Closing:
3:00 pm – We will make every effort to work with you to complete the ride.

Route Markings:

• 16-mile cyclists follow the ORANGE route markers
• 30-mile cyclists follow the BLUE route markers
• 62.5-mile cyclists follow the YELLOW route markers

At the Finish Line

As you roll across the finish line, grab your 2024 Finisher’s Medal and be sure to refuel with some lunch and hang out in your team tent or beer garden for the afternoon – you’ve earned it!

Club K Fundraisers can pick up your 2024 commemorative jersey before or after your ride at the Customer Service Tent.

2024 Bike MS Season Kickoff Event

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
760 Jefferson Rd, Rochester, NY
Tuesday, April 23, 2023: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Join us Tuesday, April 23, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse in Rochester as we kick off the 2024 ROC the Great Lakes season! Enjoy drinks and bites and meet fellow riders from ROC the Great Lakes.

We’ll be there to cover details about this year's ride and share updates on the research and development efforts made possible by your support, and tips on how to find a training program or coach to help you crush your 2024 goals.

2024 Top Club members, be sure to stop by and grab your Top Club prize – a Bike MS Top Club Koozie^© Hydrating Backpack* 

Please RSVP here so we can save you a spot. We look forward to celebrating with you soon.

 

 

Kick-Offs, Lunch and Learns, and Other Events

If you're hosting a team-kick off or celebration or would like to host a lunch and learn for your company, let us know! The Bike MS team would love to be present and help support your events where possible. Think you're interested, but not sure what it would involve? Reach out anyway - we're happy to help get you all set to go. Email any Bike MS staff member or contact us here for more information.

Bike MS: ROC the Great Lakes Facebook Event

Stay up-to-the-minute with conversation and event details by marking yourself as “going” to the 2024 ROC the Great Lakes Facebook event. We will use this page for event updates, recognition, encouragement and to connect with fellow riders!

MS Awareness Week: March 10-16

MS Awareness Week is a great time to rally your team, recruit new members, begin fundraising, and most importantly, a great week to foster awareness and inspire others by sharing your personal story and reason for riding.

Raise money and win prizes! Fundraising Weeks are an opportunity to kick your fundraising into high gear and compete for some great prizes. Both teams and individual riders can win BIG during this year’s Fundraising Weeks. Fundraising Weeks run Monday through Sunday and winners are based on the highest amount of online fundraising.

When

• Fundraising Week #1: June 3 – June 9
• Fundraising Week #2: July 1 – July 7

Who

The individual and the team who raise the most money online during the designated Fundraising Week dates will win big!

• Individual rider (team member or non-team member) 
• Mid-Sized Teams: Team with 2-14 members (Team members must be registered by the Monday of Fundraising Week)
• Large Teams: Team with 15 or more members (Team members must be registered by the Monday of Fundraising Week)

What

As a reward for your amazing fundraising, the teams and the individual who raise the most online funds will WIN. One winner will be awarded from each team size category.  Prize details to be announced!

How

Utilize the Fundraising Weeks to reach out to your donors, share why you ride, and reach your fundraising goals. Hit Top Fundraiser status, and you’ll also earn the 2024 ROC the Great Lakes commemorative top fundraiser jersey and more prizes!

Download the Bike MS App and take advantage of mobile check deposits. Utilize the Bike MS Fundraising Tool Kit and visit the Bike MS Fundraising Ideas page for more ways to help you reach your goal.

Plus, check your inbox during these weeks for more details!

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.

Your Bike MS rider packet contains important items that must be worn on ride-day. In order to pick up your packet, you must meet the $200 fundraising minimum and have a completed waiver on file. If you registered online, then you completed a waiver during the registration process.

Packet Pick Up Dates & Locations

• Pre-Event: Time and location to be announced
• Saturday, August 10: 7:00am – 9:00am at the ROC the Great Lakes start line

What’s in my rider packet? Your Bike MS packet contains many important items that must be worn at all times on the route including your bib number, bike and helmet tags, emergency number wristband and safety pins.

How do I receive my packet? You must meet the $200 fundraising minimum and have a signed waiver on record. Plan to attend one of the scheduled packet pick-ups. Someone else can pick up your packet, as long as you have met the fundraising minimum and have a completed waiver on file. Someone else may also pick up your t-shirt and Top Fundraiser jersey if you earned one, so remember to tell them your size.

Why the $200 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 $200 minimum fundraising requirement prior to picking up their packet.

How do fundraising minimums work for team members? Each team member is responsible for raising their own fundraising minimum.

Does my registration fee count towards my fundraising requirements? No portion of a rider’s registration fee counts towards the fundraising minimum. Registration fees help defray event operating expenses. Riders may make a voluntary self-donation at the time of registration or any other time. This would count towards their fundraising minimum.

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.

Stay tuned for more information!

Parking is easy – when you arrive at Lakeside State Park, follow the main road as it curves around to the left. You will see a large parking lot with the park’s main pavilion on your right, with plenty of parking available right at the start/finish location.

VIP parking for the Top 10 Fundraisers, Passport Riders and accessible parking is available right in front of the main pavilion. VIP Parking Passes will be emailed to riders in advance of the ride and will also be included in your rider packet.

Please note, Lakeside State Park charges a $6 vehicle use fee to enter the state park from 10am – 6pm daily.

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

Click the links below to jump to the relevant topic:
Meals & Food | Rest Stops | Route Markings | Medical | SAG | Mechanical Support

Meals & Food

Pre-Ride Food

Food at the 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 On The Route

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. See additional information regarding rest stop support listed below.

Post-Ride Food

A post-ride meal awaits all riders back at the finish line. Lunch will be provided by a local food truck with gluten free and vegan options.

Rest Stops: First Class Support

Each route includes fully stocked rest stops every 10 to 15 miles with some of the best snacks and volunteers around! Protein bars, water, electrolytes and fruit are available at every rest stop. Rest, hydrate, use the restroom, re-apply sunscreen, and socialize with volunteers while you enjoy the views along Lake Ontario and the surrounding farmland.

Bike mechanics and support and gear (SAG) vehicles will also be on the route and at rest stops to assist you if needed.

Only authorized Bike MS vehicles and cyclists are permitted access to the rest stops ride weekend. All other vehicular traffic is prohibited.

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. The colors of the arrows correspond to each route.

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 packet. Use this number on the route if you spot an accident or need assistance.

Support and Gear (SAG) Vehicles

Just can’t push another pedal, or need help with a flat tire? Designated passenger vans, trucks and vehicles with orange flags are on the route and at rest stops. Make sure you are in a safe and visible location, flip your bike upside down and call the number on your wrist band or wave down the first SAG vehicle to come your way. SAG vehicles are equipped with bike racks, basic bike repair kits and water.

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

We’re working hard to partner with local bike shops to be on the route to support you with minor repairs. Stay tuned for more details. If you know of a great bike mechanic willing to help, let us know!

Please be sure you are Bike MS ready before the ride. Get your bike inspected prior to ride weekend to identify any major issues and ensure your bike is in excellent riding condition. 

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.