MS 150 bicycle ride happening this weekend in Minnesota

Dec 12, 2023

Saturday marks the annual Bike MS: MS 150 taking cyclists from 150 miles from Proctor High School to Century College in White Bear Lake over the course of two days.

Riders share a goal of finishing the journey along with raising money for National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The MS 150 is unique to Minnesota. It's been going on since 1980 and was the first ride in the Bike MS series.

"We're very proud of that in Minnesota," said Darren Josephson, the director of development for the National MS Society Upper Midwest Chapter.

Since then, the numbers of Bike MS rises has grown with 50 rides now taking place each year across the country.

"In 1980 there was not a lot of treatments for people living with MS," Josephson said. "If we fast forward to 2023, there's been more treatments for MS in the last seven years than there were in the first 70. So this model is working. We are able to bring a lot more treatments and a lot more hope."

Cyclists will begin their ride Saturday along the Willard Munger trail from Proctor to Hinckley. There are a number of rest areas along the route leading to the day one finish line at Grand Casino Hinckley.

"We ask the riders to register to register early as possible and to fundraise. There's a minimum fundraising of $300 to be on this ride. We have some very generous who tap into their networks and fundraise far beyond that $300 so it helps propel our mission."

Bikers will pedal their way from Hinckley to the finish line at Century College in White Bear Lake on Sunday where they will receive a commemorative finisher's medal.

The National MS Society finds that nearly one million people are living with MS in the United States, more than twice the original estimate. The majority of people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50 years, but it can occur at any age.

Josephson says there's a sense of pride among the riders throughout the weekend.

"If you've heard of the runners' high, there's something similar to cycling where you accomplished your goal and that feeling at the team village where people are really feeling good, they're going to have a great meal, something cold to drink, and maybe get a massage. They just feel really good about the mission they're doing. The finish line on Sunday at Century College is a beautiful scene with over 2,000 riders crossing over a few different hours on Sunday."