We know you love Bike MS, so why not start the fun before you head to the start line? This page will be your go-to spot for activities leading up to the event. Check back often, as we will update throughout the season!
Facebook Group | Street Banners | Fundraising Weeks | Kickoff Parties | Cookies with Rookies | New Rider Orientation | Fundraising Open House | Happy Hours| Logistics Meeting | Post Ride Events| Happy Hours
2025 Bike MS: Historic New Bern Facebook Group
Stay up-to-the-minute with conversation and event details by either joining our Bike MS: Greater Carolinas Facebook group. We will use this group for event updates, recognition, encouragement and more.
What you can expect for pre-event fun:
- Kickoff parties
- Happy hours / coffee meet ups
- Team Captain meet ups
- First-Time Bike MS participant meet ups
- Bike shop partner rides
- And more!
Street Banner Order
Looking for an easy way to fundraise? Know a local business who would like to be featured in downtown New Bern? Or a family wishing to honor a loved one? Purchasing a street banner may be the answer. This is a great way to reach your fundraising minimum or boost your fundraising to new levels.
Street banners will be displayed for one month on poles selected by the New Bern Department of Public Works in downtown New Bern and will be given to each purchaser after the event.
The banner(s) can either display a business name, In Honor of, or In Memory of (maximum 24 characters; no logos).
Please mail completed form and check by JUNE 20, 2025:
National MS Society, Street Banner Form
P.O. Box 289, Canton, MA 02021
Street Banner Timeline:
- Monday, February 3 – Street banner sales open
- Friday, June 20 – Deadline to send completed forms with checks to National MS Society
- Friday, June 27 – National MS Society confirms all street banner purchases with fundraiser
- Mid-August – Street banners installed in downtown New Bern
Bike MS Kickoff Parties
Join Bike MS staff and fellow participants to kick off the 2025 season! Parties will include light food, a round of drinks, door prizes, and information about the 2025 ride. In some cases, we’ll partner with a local team or bike shop to offer a training ride.
Raleigh:
Date: Tuesday, May 20
Time: 6 PM - 8 PM
Location: Raleigh Brewing Company (3709 Neil Street, Raleigh, NC 27607)
New Bern:
Date: Wednesday, May 21
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Freshwater Beer Company (904 Pollock Street, New Bern, NC 28562)
Bike MS: Historic New Bern Ride Happy Hours – Open to all!
New Bern Happy Hours:
5:30 PM – 7 PM
- Wednesday, March 19, 2025 – Freshwater Beer Company
- Wednesday, April 16, 2025 – Brewery99
- Wednesday, May 21, 2025 – Kickoff Party @ Freshwater Beer Company
- Wednesday, July 16, 2025 – Location TBD
- Wednesday, August 6, 2025 – Location TBD
Raleigh Happy Hours:
6 PM – 8 PM
- Tuesday, March 18, 2025 – Raleigh Brewing Company (3709 Neil Street, Raleigh, NC 27607)
- Tuesday, May 20, 2025 – Kickoff Party @ Raleigh Brewing Company (3709 Neil Street, Raleigh, NC 27607)
Bike MS Cookies with Rookies
Join Bike MS staff and a local bike shop to prepare for Bike MS! This social and educational event is geared towards participants riding in their first Bike MS ride or for the first time in the Bike MS: Historic New Bern Ride. Our partnering bike shop will be available to chat ride safety and bike maintenance and Bike MS staff will be on site to answer any questions about the weekend event and reaching that fundraising minimum and beyond!
Dates: TBD
Fundraising Weeks
Cyclists and teams, it's time to make a big move! The team and cyclist who raises the most during these weeks will win an exclusive prize. Check out more details about fundraising weeks here
Monday, July 7 – Sunday, July 13
Monday, July 28 – Sunday, August 3
Bike MS New Rider Orientation
Welcome to the ride of a lifetime, Rookie! The New Rider Orientations are recommended for all first-time riders participating in the Bike MS: Historic New Bern Ride!
Can’t make it? No worries, it will be recorded and shared.
- Date: Tuesday, June 17th
- 12 PM – 1 PM
- Meeting details: Join the meeting now or dial in by phone +1 315-234-6809,,720565643#
- 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- Meeting details: Join the meeting now or dial in by phone +1 315-234-6809,,222223773#
Virtual Fundraising Open House
Join Bike MS for a Fundraising Open House with Bike MS top fundraisers and staff! Letter-writing, emails, social media, silent auctions, raffles, etc. there are SO many ways to go about a successful fundraising campaign. During the open house, we'll hear from Bike MS fundraisers who have come up with creative ways to raise the $300 + way more! Maybe you’ll walk away with some new ideas to elevate your impact.
This will be a casual and virtual conversation with fundraisers and MS Society staff. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions.
- Date: Thursday, July 31st
- 7 PM – 8 PM
- Meeting details: Join the meeting now or dial in by phone +1 315-234-6809,,720124355#
Know Before You Go – Virtual Pre-Event Logistics Meeting
All Bike MS participants are invited to our ‘Know Before You Go’ logistics meeting to have all your event weekend questions answered. Bike MS staff and volunteers will review all aspects of the ride weekend including parking, start line/finish line expectations, route and rest stops, plus the extraordinary experience of the Day 1 and Day 2 finish lines.
- Date: Tuesday, August 5th
- 12 PM – 1 PM
- Meeting details: Join the meeting now or dial in by phone +1 315-234-6809,,208375142#
- 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- Meeting details: Join the meeting now or dial in by phone +1 315-234-6809,,158064625#
Post-Ride Celebration & Awards Party
Save the date for our Post-Ride Celebration & Awards Parties in Raleigh and New Bern!
Week of December 8 – December 12
