Bike MS - September 11 - 12, 2010 - Callaway Gardens

Yes, absolutely John. All are welcome to come and ride with us. We would love for you to join the team!

Can Mary Carol & I join your team to ride 65 Sunday only on our tandem? If so, we'll sign up on MS150 website.

bump.

Ok folks, we have 38 more days until the MS ride. We currently have only 4 people on the team: Ann, David, Charles, and myself. Please, please please....sign up and join us for this ride!!

We got you Charles. You can use the first link in the body of the post above to verify. Glad to have you on the team!

I am not sure if I did, but I tried to join the team for the MS ride. I have registered though.  

Ken, that would look kinda funny...me on your bike! Might beat myself to death with my knees! Hahaha!

Yes Steve, one day is fine. In order to pick up packets early, all I would need from you is the signed waiver which we can print from the website. We can work that out closer to ride day.

Michael

Yes Steve, one day is fine. In order to pick up packets early, all I would need from you is the signed waiver which we can print from the website. We can work that out closer to ride day.

Michael

I'm in the same boat as Ken. Lots going on this time of year with kids' sports back, etc., so schedule is iffy until we get closer.

So - just to confirm: it is OK to just do one day or the other AND we may be able to get help in picking up packets prior to Sat or Sun am? Thanks.

You can ride the bike for me.   I will keep you posted on this.
Ken

Ken, Callaway is only about an hour and half away. If nothing else, you could ride the century with us on Saturday and head home. I understand about the family commitment, they certainly come first. I would sure be proud for you to join us if you can work it out. There's no problem if you don't make the second day. The only item to remember is you must be checked in (i.e. pick up your packet) before Saturday as there is no registration the morning of the ride. I can probably pick it up for you Friday night if you don't get it before then. If there's anything I can do to make it easier for you, please let me know.

I'm trying to figure if I can make it. I'm not sure whether my mother in law or roomates will be here or not. Zuzana works the weekends right now, so two days away might be a tuff one for  me. I am thinking about it still though.

Ken

Thank you David and Ann! I'm proud to have you on the team and I appreciate your support!

Come one folks, only 5 more days for the early bird special!

I'm signed up.

I'm signed up. Saved $10 with the early bird registration. Come on folks, this is gonna be a good one!

Michael, can you confirm the price for the Villas you mentioned below? It says $175 per night, but later when you talk about 4 of us sharing a cabin, it sounds like $175 for 2 nights. I'm not sure if I'll be able to handle it either way, I may end up camping.

Ok folks, I need your support on this one. Please ride with me for another great cause. I saw what you can do for the Tour de Cure, now we have the opportunity to do another fantastic job for MS. Please ride with me to help cure this horrible disease.

As info, the earlybird registration ends on May 31st. Its only $25 to sign up right now.

Lori, I had previously spoken to the Director of the ride about getting the shop involved and possibly getting the logo in the promotional material, but they are already at capacity for official bike shops. She said they have a limited number of sponsorships. One thing that they offer is pre-ride bike inspections which allow riders to get free or reduced labor charges for in-ride repairs. I thought that would be a great way to get expossure for Epic, but she did not have a place for us. As for the team tent, they don't allow personal tents within the start/finish line complex. I'm sure they have a supplier agreement worked out with someone and this is probably for financial reason as well.

Due to finacial concerns mike will not be riding with the MS150 but we want to support our group in the best possible way. We have decided to have a tent (or 2) and offer mechanical support and a general resting area for those of you riding.  I am sorry but mike and I have many endevours throughout the year that we must finacially plan for and this one will take alot. Please plan on us being there on the Saturday. Michael ,please get with mike on who he needs to contact about becoming mechanical support in this way, we will be both representing the shop and the club.

Good question Lori. So far I have seen 3, 4, and 5 bedroom cabins available. Callaway has 1, 2, 3, & 4 bedroom villas available also, plus cottages and hotel rooms. Callaway has offered special pricing to Bike MS participants and I'm pasting that info from the website.

Mountain Creek® Inn
17800 Highway 27
Pine Mountain, Georgia 31822
1-800-225-5292
Special Rate: $99/night

Villas at Callaway Gardens
17800 Highway 27
Pine Mountain, Georgia 31822
1-800-225-5292
1, 2, 3 & 4 bedrooms with kitchen
Special Rate: $175/night per bedroom

When I stayed at Callaway in a 1 bedroom villa it was really nice to be in the gardens and ride the bike to the meals and start line. The villas are individual rooms (think hotel room) that share a common living area and kitchen. You basically have the number of bedrooms unlocked that you are paying for. This option is the most convienient to the big tent where meals are served and team tents will be. Cottages, the Inn, and the Spa all are much further away. This is my first choice, even though its expensive. After our Days Inn fiasco last year my wife is willing to spend the extra money.

Cottages at Callaway Gardens
5887 Highway 354
Pine Mountain, Georgia 31822
1-800-225-5292
One Bedroom Special Rate: $165/night
Two Bedroom Special Rate: $305/night

Lodge & Spa at Callaway Gardens
5887 Highway 354
Pine Mountain, Georgia 31822
1-800-225-5292
Special Rate: $234/night

Official Camping Area
A free camping area is provided for participants wishing to tent camp at the Start/Finish area at Callaway Gardens. Port-a-lets, shower truck and hand washing stations will be available on location at the Official Camping area. NOTE: Camping area will open on Friday, September 10^th at 12:00pm to accommodate early arrivals and will close at 3pm on Sunday, September 12^th.

________________________________________________________________

 If you go outside the Gardens, cabins are your best bet. If we can get 4 people to share a cabin, each person would come out around $175 (plus taxes and such for 2 nights) for a 4 bedroom cabin. These are fully furnished with kitchens, etc., but they are 5 to 7 miles from the Gardens. Basically cost will depend on the number of folks splitting them. Based on the special pricing, it may not be a savings to stay outside of the Gardens. One thing to remember is that when you stay on the property, your family will have free admission to the Gardens during the ride.

The most economical option is the Mountain Creek Inn for $99/night and its an easy ride to the start line. One thing to remember is that meals are provide before and after the rides (lunch is provided on the course for riders only, not families). Family members are welcome to eat at the group meals for $5 per person per meal. Riders are provided meals for the entrace fee. Typical meals are eggs, hashbrowns, biscuits, bacon, sausage, fruit and juice/coffee for breakfast and suppers have been catered pasta (Johnny Corrino's I think) with several pasta options, salad, cookies, etc. Remember that Coca-cola is a major sponsor so there is plenty of Coke, diet Coke, Sprite, Dasani water, Powerade to fill your water bottles and usually Full Throttle (energy drink). Everything is included for the $5 per meal. Meals provided are Saturday breakfast and dinner (again, lunch on course, usually Chick-fil-a), and Sunday breakfast. There may be lunch on Sunday, but I've never stayed around for it.

I have stayed in the Mountain Creek Inn, the Villas and a cabin. Either is a good choice in accomodations. (Better than the Days Inn!!) I am willing to stay either place. I enjoy the convenience of being in the Gardens, for me and for my family while I'm riding, but I certainly don't mind saving money by staying further away if we can.

I fell asleep during the Superbowl, woke up with a second wind and got online.  Still though, this would be a lot of fun for all those who participate.

michael on the cabins can you give us a cost and how many they will hold and such that would help with finacial planning.

One more thing to point out on lodging....I DO NOT recommend that you stay at the Days Inn. I stayed there last year because it is convenient and not too expensive, however, it was one of the dirtiest motels I have ever stayed in. Bugs, dead and alive, dusty, trash in the floor, smelled bad, etc.

Great! Thanks David. Oh, and what are you doing up this time of night??

I am definitely planning on this ride. I'm gonna have to switch oncall weekends but since it's so far away, it should not be a problem. Sharing a cabin would be great!!

I have been checking into cabins and there are plenty available right now. I need to know who is interested in sharing cabins and how many are going before making reservations. We need to get this done early or we will miss out. Please let me know if you are interested in sharing the lodging expenses.

Moving this back to the top. Come on folks, not one single rider except me yet. Please, please, please, sign up. This is an awesome ride!

I reposted the original information.

Hopefully Dot Designers will recover this post. Sorry!