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.

Bike MS: Chesapeake Challenge Facebook Group

Stay up-to-the-minute with conversation and event details by joining the Chesapeake Challenge Facebook Group. We will use this page for event updates, recognition, encouragement, and to connect with fellow riders! Join here.

Friday, June 20: Packet Pick up and Welcome Night

When: Friday, June 20, from 3:00 to 7:30pm

Where:  Ten Eyck Brewing

Address:  205 Grange Hall Rd, Queenstown, MD 21658

Kickoff Chesapeake Challenge on Friday night! Pick up your rider packet, t-shirt, and jersey ($1,000 to qualify!), meet fellow cyclists and enjoy drinks and food. Visit the Packet Pick Up section of the Ride Details page for more details.

*Start times subject to change

Saturday, June 21, 2025: Ride Day!

Start and Finish Area Location:
Talbot County Community Center
10028 Ocean Gateway, Easton, MD 21601

6:00 am - Registration Opens

7:00 am - 102 and 62 mile riders depart

7:30 am – 43 mile, and 29 mile riders depart

8:00 am - All riders must be on the route.

Lunch available at Rest Stop in Idlewild Park

4:10 PM - all riders must depart last rest stop

4:30 PM - Route closes

6:00pm - 8:00pm: Offsite Dinner & Evening Program, Easton Airport, Trident Hangar, Easton Airport, 9220 Joe Marsh Lane, Easton, MD 21601 Catering by Mission BBQ

Sunday, June 22, 2025: Ride Day 2!

Start and Finish Area Location:
Talbot County Community Center
10028 Ocean Gateway, Easton, MD 21601

6:30 am - Registration opens

7:30 am – 27 mile and 51 mile riders depart

8:00 am all riders must be on the route

Route closure times TBA

Weather

We ride rain or shine. Please be prepared for wind, rain, chilly weather, or very warm conditions. Weather can change overnight so prepare for every scenario. Stay tuned to our site and your inbox for up-to-date announcements regarding inclement weather.

Kickoff Event

SAVE THE DATE:  Our kickoff gathering will be on Wednesday, February 26^th at 6pm at Black Flag Brewing in Columbia, MD.

9315 Snowden River Parkway, Columbia, MD 21046 

Bring a friend, meet old friends, swap stories, meet the team, enjoy some food and drink (cash bar) and kick off your Chesapeake Challenge fundraising and training with us!

RSVP Here

Routes:

Nothing is better than a ride through the scenic Eastern Shore of Maryland, taking in bay breezes,  farmland, hints of blue crabs and old bay, and super cute towns along the way.  Chesapeake Challenge is a great way to enjoy a flat route through a beautiful and historic area.

Choose your distance between 29 and 102 miles. We have something for everyone.  All routes start and end together at the Talbot County Community Center where you can celebrate your accomplishments with fellow riders while enjoying a snacks and beverages. Lunch will be provided along the route.

All routes:

You’ll select your desired route when you register for the ride. However, your choice can easily be modified prior to ride weekend in your Fundraising Center or on ride morning. It’s ok to change your mind anytime! Please ensure you arrive at the start line at the appropriate time for your route departure.

View the Ride With GPS route maps here. Routes are subject to change until ride morning and the precise route lengths may vary by a few miles.

Saturday, June 21

• 29 miles
• 43 miles
• 62 miles
• 102 miles

Sunday, June 22

• 27 miles
• 51 miles

Route Support

We will make every effort to work with you to complete the ride. For safety reasons, all cyclists on the road after route closing will be provided transportation to the finish line from a designated SAG vehicle (Support and Gear).

Ride With GPS App

Get the Ride with GPS App - it's free! Go to your App Store

• Apple Store
• Google Play Store

1. Search for: Ride with GPS (Red cyclist on a black background)
2. Download the app (it’s Free!)
3. Go to your internet browser app - (Safari, Google Chrome, etc.)
4. Click on the route map links above for your route
5. Click “Send to Device”
6. Once you’re in the app, you can Download or Navigate to stream 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. 

Teams and an individual participant can win BIG during fundraising weeks. Fundraising Weeks run Monday through Sunday and winners are based on the highest amount of online fundraising.

Who: All registered riders are eligible to win! Winners for each fundraising week are the individual and teams who raise the most money online during the designated Fundraising Week dates!

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

When: Two chances to win!

• Fundraising Week #1: April 14 to April 20, 2025
• Fundraising Week #2: May 12 to May 18, 2025

Prizes: As a reward for your amazing fundraising, we will award one individual and one team in each category a prize! Prizes are as follows:

• Individual Prizes: $50 gift card to the bike shop of your choice
• Team Prizes: Team Tent with lunch on site for the whole team

Tips to Win: Use 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 2025 Chesapeake Challenge commemorative top fundraiser jersey and more prizes!

Download the Donor Drive 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!

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 $300 fundraising minimum and have a completed waiver on file. No cyclists will be permitted on the route without a rider number.

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

See Ride Info & Requirements section for ride requirements.

Packet Pick Up Dates & Locations

• Friday, June 20: Packet Pick up and Welcome Night

  When: Friday, June 20, from 3:00 to 7:30pm

  Where:  Ten Eyck Brewing

  Address:  205 Grange Hall Rd, Queenstown, MD 21658

  View Map

​Kickoff Chesapeake Challenge on Friday night! Pick up your rider packet, t-shirt, and jersey ($1,000 to qualify!), meet fellow cyclists and enjoy drinks and food.

• Saturday, June 21 (Ride Day 1): at the start line: Talbot County Community Center, 6am
• Sunday, June 22, (Ride Day 2): at the start line: Talbot County Community Center, 6am

Packet Pick Up Requirements & Details

What’s in my rider packet? Your Bike MS packet contains many important items including your bib number, bike tags, wristband with rider assistance phone number, safety pins, and twist ties.

How do I receive my packet? Pick up at one of the above noted times and locations. 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.

Can I make a donation at packet pick up? Yes, you can make a donation at packet pick up.

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 – as long as you’ve met the $300 fundraising minimum and have a completed waiver.

I’m not able to attend and ride. Can I give my packet to someone else? All cyclists are assigned a rider number to ensure Bike MS knows who you are during ride weekend in the event of an emergency and for logistical purposes. For your safety and the safety of others, DO NOT provide your assigned rider number (bib) to a fellow participant for use ride weekend. Each and every cyclist riding in Bike MS: Chesapeake Challenge must be individually registered with contact information and a waiver on file. Please do not use a previous year’s number or another Bike MS ride number.

Do I get a Bike MS T-shirt? Your Bike MS t-shirt is earned based on the $300 fundraising minimum. Your t-shirt can be picked up at the same time as your packet at the Friday packet pick up or at the start/finish line.

Top Fundraiser Jersey: If you’ve raised $1,000 or more, you can also pick up your Top Fundraiser jersey and credential at packet pick up!

I have a matching donation, but it hasn’t shown on my page yet. Matching donations are a great way to meet the fundraising minimum and aim for Top Fundraiser level! Let a staff member know you have a match on the way and you’ll be able to pick up your packet and receive Top Fundraiser perks if the match gets you to $1,000 or more!

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!

Lodging:

Holiday Inn Express
8561 Ocean Gateway Easton, Maryland 21601

• Bike MS Booking link
• Open the link and enter the date range 6/20.25 – 6/22/25.  Only after entering the date range will the negotiated rates of $219/night come up.
• Space is limited, 2 night minimum
• Group Name is “MS Bike Participants 2025”

Tuckahoe State Park for Camping

Tuckahoe State Park offers a family camping area with 54 sites, 33 with electric hookups, and a central bathhouse with showers and toilet facilities. No water hook-ups, but potable water is available. A dump station is available. Pets allowed, but must remain on leash at all times.

• Find more info here.
• Find booking info here.
• Map to campsite area for GPS: 13250 Cherry Ln, Ridgely, MD 21660

Camping at Talbot County Community Center

We are excited to announce that there is the option to set up a tent and camp outdoors this year at the start-finish area of Talbot County Community Center.   

10028 Ocean Gateway, Easton, MD, 21601

• Outdoor camping only.  There is no camping or sleeping inside the Community Center.
• Overnight site security will be present, but all buildings will be locked from approximately 11pm to 5am
• No open fires
• RVs are welcome in the parking area, but there is no electric or plumbing hook up facilities
• Availability is limited, and is on a first come – first served basis.
  • Please complete this form to express interest.

Bike Storage

Secure bike storage is available inside the Talbot County Community Center.  You can drop your bike off starting at 4pm on Friday, June 20. 

Don’t worry, our event has plenty of parking!  There is free parking available on both the north and south sides of the Talbot County Community Center.

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!

Event Overview Call

We will have an event overview call a few weeks before the ride. We’ll go over all the logistics for the day and provide all the info you need to make it a success for you and your team.

Date: Wednesday, June 4

Time: 12:00 pm

Call info:
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 285 640 807 656
Passcode: aC6cw6Gg

Rookie Rider Call

Since our first time riders often have questions, we’ll also host a ‘Rookie Rider’ call in May.  We’ll go over what to expect from now until ride day and answer your questions. This call will be recorded and shared with all first time riders.

Date: Tuesday, May 6

Time: 5:30 pm

Call info:
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 237 859 212 245
Passcode: 6wC6L8fu

Weekend Photos

Our 2025 Chesapeake Challenge ride weekend photos from our volunteer photographers are now available in Flickr albums here and here. Thanks to Lily Chang, Kyle Wende, and Michael Franken for who donated their time and talent to support our event. We greatly appreciate it.

Post-Ride Fundraising

Keep up the great work! Continue to fundraise through the below deadlines and help create a world free of MS.

• Deadline for Bike MS Prizes: July 21 — visit our Prize Page for more information.
• Rank Deadline for Club 50 and Teams: August 22 — visit our Recognition, Gifts & Incentives page for more information.