Ride Details

This is where you will find your event schedule along with any local guidelines and regulations. Check back periodically for any updates.  

Looking for information about all of our events and meet-ups leading up to the ride? Visit the Pre-Ride Activities Page.

RV Load In Schedule

RV CAMPING RESERVATION FORM

Upon reserving your RV campsite, you will select an arrival time. To allow for easier access and set up, RVs are staggered for entry and should not arrive outside of your scheduled time. Arrival windows are as listed below:

Friday, September 5^th

• 9 AM – 12 PM
• 12 PM – 3 PM
• 3 PM – 6 PM
• 6 PM – 8 PM

Please note, the National MS Society will not provide electric hook-ups for RV campers in 2025 to be better stewards of the funds raised through Bike MS. For more details and to learn of alternative power sourcing, please view the “lodging and transportation” section of our Ride Details page.

Route Maps

The Bike MS: Gateway Getaway offers four exciting route distances each day, all starting and finishing at the beautiful Lewis & Clark Community College campus in Godfrey, IL. Whether you’re a novice or experienced cyclist, we have a route for you!

Your safety is our #1 priority, so route support vehicles, bike shop mechanics and volunteers will be available if you need assistance on the route.

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

The rules are simple: raise the most money during a Fundraising Week and we will reward you for your fundraising success.

Fundraising Week #1

Accept the challenge and start changing lives, Gateway! This fundraising week provides two opportunities to win: one for teams and one for individuals. Teams and individuals who raise the most funds online during the fundraising week will win prizes to enhance their Bike MS weekend experience while raising the critical funds to END MS FOREVER.

Challenge Details:

• July 7^th – July 13^th

Team Prize: Team’s choice of a team tent upgrade, port-a-potty at your team tent, private packet pick up, or stocked cooler at your team tent.

How to Win: This challenge will be split up into two categories: teams with 15+ riders and teams with less than 15 riders. The team that brings in the most fundraising dollars between July 7^th – July 13^th wins!

• Winners will be announced via email, in our Facebook Group and here after challenge concludes.

Individual Prize: Bike MS swag pack + $100 gift card to Bike Shop of your choice

How to Win: The individual cyclist that brings in the most fundraising dollars between July 7^th – July 13^th wins!

• Winner will be announced via email, in our Facebook Group and here after challenge concludes.

Fundraising Week #2

Join us for our second and LARGEST fundraising week of the season! Like the first one, this fundraising week provides two opportunities to win: one for teams and one for individuals. Teams and individuals who raise the most funds online during the fundraising week will win prizes to enhance their Bike MS weekend experience while raising the critical funds to END MS FOREVER.

Challenge Details:

• July 28^th – August 3^rd

Team Prize: Team’s choice of a team tent upgrade, port-a-potty at your team tent, private packet pick up, or stocked cooler at your team tent.

How to Win: This challenge will be split up into two categories: teams with 15+ riders and teams with less than 15 riders. The team that brings in the most fundraising dollars between July 28^th – August 3^rd wins!

• Winners will be announced via email, in our Facebook Group and here after challenge concludes.

Individual Prize: Bike MS swag pack + $100 gift card to Bike Shop of your choice

How to Win: The individual cyclist that brings in the most fundraising dollars between July 28^th – August 3^rd wins!

• Winner will be announced via email, in our Facebook Group and here after challenge concludes.

Your Bike MS packet contains important items including your rider bib, event details and sponsor giveaways. In order to pick up your packet, you must meet the $300 fundraising minimum and have a completed waiver on file. 

Pre-Event Packet Pick Up Dates

All participants who fundraise $300 or more and have a valid waiver on file are eligible to pick up their rider packet.  

To best prepare for your ride, we recommend that you pick up your packet prior to event weekend – this allows you to review materials in advance, ask Bike MS staff your questions before the event, and drop off any last-minute donations.  

The Bike MS: Gateway Getaway will host multiple packet pick up opportunities prior to ride weekend. Each packet pick up will be allow riders to pick up the following items:  

• Rider Number (Bib and bike tag) 
• Rider Wristband (Equipped with our rider support phone number!) 
• Participant T-Shirt 
• Updated Event Weekend Information 
• Club K Jersey – when you reach $1,000 in fundraising 

I have an outstanding corporate match that will push me past the $300 minimum, but it’s not yet reflected in my account. Can I still pick up my packet? If you have a corporate matching donation in the works, be sure to bring your company’s match confirmation receipt with you to ensure a speedy check out.  

Can I have my team captain or a fellow teammate pick up my items for me? Yes, you can send someone to pick up your packet for you if you’ve already surpassed the $300 fundraising minimum.  

I am a team captain who wishes to pick up packets for multiple team members. What do I need to do to make this happen? Any captain wishing to pick up items for their entire team needs to notify MS Society staff via email at least 1 business day in advance within the hours of 8-4 PM to give adequate time to collect and organize items. This email must include: the names of individuals you’re picking up for, their t-shirt size and preferred unisex jersey size (if living with MS or raised $1000+). Staff will only release packets for team members who have surpassed the $300 fundraising minimum.  

I can’t attend any pre-event packet pick up events and don’t have a teammate who can pick it up for me. When can I get my packet? No worries! You can pick yours up at Lewis & Clark Community College in the Trimpe Building during the time windows below:  

• Friday, September 5^th from 3 PM – 7 PM 
• Saturday, September 6^th from 6 AM – 8 AM 
• Sunday, September 7^th from 6 AM – 8 AM 

Please note:

• If you registered online, you've already completed a waiver during the registration process.
• Anyone who did not register themselves online will need to complete a waiver.
• Riders under 18 will need a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

Bike MS Waiver

Find local hotels, event accommodations and transportation details below. Any luggage and bike storage needs that you may have will be located here as well. Our team will be working diligently to get you the best deals and experiences for the event! 

Transportation

Because the Gateway Getaway has the same Start/Finish locations, all riders are responsible for getting themselves to and from the start/finish line each day. There is plenty of parking for you at Lewis & Clark Community College!

Bike MS Indoor Lodge, RVs & Tent Camping

• BIKE MS INDOOR LODGE: Complimentary and air-conditioned space is available provided on campus. Cots will not be provided. Participants must bring their own sleeping gear for >accommodations; air mattress, sleeping bags, etc. Restrooms and showers are available nearby. First come - first served basis once campus opens at 3pm on Friday, September 5^th.
• ON SITE TENT CAMPING: Complimentary outdoor tent camping is available and within walking distance to team village, Start/Finish Line, dining area, restrooms and showers. See important update below for NEW campground location. First come - first served basis once campus opens at 3pm on Friday, September 5^th.
• ON SITE RV CAMPING: To reserve space in our RV camping lot, please fill out the online form. Reserve your RV parking space here prior to August 5^th.

IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR RV CAMPERS: This year, the National MS Society will not provide electric hook ups for RV campers. Previously, the RV park was our largest expense, and we are now asking participants to arrange their own power support. This allows the National MS Society to be better stewards of the funds raised through Bike MS. As a result, we will not be charging a fee for parking space at the event! We understand that this will cause increased noise pollution at the event, so Bike MS staff will have earplugs available for you at packet pick up in Trimpe.

Options for RV Power:

• Bring Your Own Generator – feel free to bring your own generator
• Rent a Generator – call Sunbelt at 618-931-4284 and mention you’re with Bike MS for a discounted rate for a 5000W generator. Sunbelt will deliver the generator to the event site, but you must provide your own fuel.
• Dry Camp – Camp without electricity on site

IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR TENT CAMPERS: Due to updates with our RV park, we have decided to move tent camping away from the RV park to allow for less noise pollution and better sleep. The new tent camping location will be positioned behind the Hathaway (Indoor Lodge + Shower Trailer) and Trimpe (Breakfast + Packet Pick Up) buildings. If you have RVs in your group and wish to tent camp near the RV park, you may still do so. Bike MS staff will have ear plugs available for you at packet pick up in Trimpe.

Hotels

Alton, IL

Best Western Plus Parkway Hotel
1900 Homer M. Adams Parkway
Alton, IL 62002
(618) 433-9900

The Great River Ascend Hotel Collection by Choice Hotels - room block available here
(*New Name* Previously the Best Western Premier Alton)
3559 College Ave.
Alton, IL 62002
(618) 462-1220

Comfort Inn
11 Crossroads Court
Alton, IL 62002
(618) 465-9999

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton
1904 Homer M. Adams Parkway
Alton, IL 62002
(618) 433-8999

Jerseyville, IL

Super 8 Jerseyville — 618-498-7888

Elsah, IL

Green Tree Inn — 618-374-2821

Edwardsville, IL

Comfort Inn — 618-656-4900

Hampton Inn & Suites St. Louis-Glen Carbon — 618-589-5000

Country Hearth Inn Edwardsville — 618-656-7829

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Edwardsville — 800-315-2605 (reservations); 618-692-7255 (front desk)

TownePlace Suites & Suites Edwardsville — 618-655-3001

Granite City, IL

Econo Lodge Inn & Suites — 618-797-9865

Don’t worry, our event will have a place for you to park your vehicle! Any and all parking information will be located here. 

Food

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 time with the volunteers along with support and gear (SAG) vehicles along the route to assist you.

After you cross the finish line, we will have plenty of local food information handy.

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!

Want to Bike MS but Need a Bike?

Are you passionate about supporting the MS mission but don’t have a bike? Or are you traveling from out of town and prefer not to bring your bike with you? Don’t worry, we’ve thought of everything!

Bike MS partner, Big Shark Bicycle Co., offers bicycle rentals for the Bike MS: Gateway Getaway and will even deliver your rental directly to Lewis & Clark Community College’s campus in Godfrey, IL.

Learn more about rental pricing, event site delivery and how to submit a rental request by calling 314-862-1188.

Route

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, supplied with hydration and nutritional snacks  (a mix of fruit, protein, sweet, and salty snacks), every 8 to 18 miles with some of the best snacks and volunteers around. Relax, hydrate, use the restroom, re-apply sunscreen and enjoy time with the volunteers. Along the route you will be joined by our support and gear (SAG) vehicles who will be on there to assist you.

After you cross the finish line, we will have plenty of local food available.  

Bike Shops

The support we receive 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 the Training and Prep page!

We know you have some additional questions, and this will be the place where we can answer them! More Know Before You Go information will be coming soon, so check back often so you don’t miss anything. 

Ride photos will be posted on our Flickr page two to three weeks after the ride.

Photos from the 2025 Bike MS: Gateway Getaway will be posted on our Bike MS Flickr page 30 days after the ride. We will share the link here when the photos are ready!

Looking for last year’s event photos as you eagerly await the 2025 ride?

• 2024 Volunteer Photos – ride weekend
• 2024 Professional Video – ride weekend

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This 2024 ride video is courtesy of our friends at Above U.S. video. David at Above U.S. is a 107 licensed and insured drone pilot and videographer offering professional media services for the greater St. Louis area specializing in promotional content creation & residential/commercial real estate photos and videos. Check out his services at www.aboveusvideo.com.