MS Bright Spots Adaptive Cycling Adventure will ride again in 2024! You can thrive as one of 13 persons with MS and your support partners in Colorado Springs September 25-29, 2024 in this experience!

Enjoy beautiful mountain scenery, hear the quaking aspens, try a new outdoor fitness activity together with your support partner, and expand your boundaries beyond your comfort zone by exploring and achieving a new adventure while living with MS!

Experience an opportunity that could help you develop a lifelong community of support and friendship with peers who truly understand what living with MS is like participating in a pilot group event as we explore Colorado Springs trails over 4 nights and 4 days.

Date:  Arrive in Colorado Springs Wednesday, September 25, 2024  and depart Sunday, September 29, 2024

Offered in collaboration with Angletech, a bike outfitter that specializes in adaptive cycles! The staff will assist you in exploring the right cycle for you and your partner: Recumbent Trikes & Bikes, Crank Forward cycles, Folding upright & Recumbent cycles, Tandem bikes and more all in the adaptive cycling world.

Offered in collaboration with DASA (Disabled Athlete Sports Association) for cycling trial rides and fitness training.

Expected Outcomes:

– Build strength and endurance

– Build confidence

– Increase self-esteem

– Increase support community 

– Increase knowledge of fitness through cycling

Participant Criteria:

• Must be diagnosed with MS
• Preference to those who did not attend previously
• If living outside the metro St. Louis area, must be able to do training rides in your community and participate in DASA strength training group fitness sessions and Team meetings on Zoom
• Must have a support partner to also participate 
• Must be able to provide own transportation to the Colorado Springs area and throughout  the program (we may do some carpooling and van transportation  during our time together in the Colorado Springs area)
• After a custom fitting with Angletech staff, must be able to transfer onto and off the cycle independently or with supervision. Must be able to cycle independently for at least one hour with breaks. Must be able to participate in the suggested schedule below.
• Weight limit is 275 lbs for each participant and each support partner 
• Must wear a helmet while riding (provided by bike shop)
• Must participate in “Fitness Fitting for Cycling” and “Trial Ride sessions” provided by Disabled Athletic Sports Association (DASA)…date TBD
• Must participate in at least 5 of   group training rides (using DASA cycle if you do not have  one)
• Must attend 6 of 8 Group fitness training sessions at the Ability Gym  from May until September and/or MS Fitness friends programs
• Mandatory participation and reporting of fitness training done “on your own” each month 
• Team meetings on Zoom

Group size: Thirteen participants and thirteen support partners 

Minimum Contribution Per Participant and one support partner: If this  is  your first ride, $100 per individual, plus $500 deposit which is fully refundable after participating in the event.  If  you have participated previously, the minimum contribution is $200  for each participant and partner plus deposit of $500.  These contributions may be personal donations or you may do a  personal fundraising campaign  for MS Bright  Spots of Hope.  The sky is  the limit  on your fundraising  goal  and we will help you set up a personal page!

MS Bright Spots of Hope will cover the program as outlined below.  You will be responsible for any incidentals.

Program includes (for participant and support partner):  Hotel for 4 nights (one room per participant and their partner), hotel includes breakfast, Lunch and Dinner meals  with the group, Cycling experience in collaboration with Angletech staff.   You may consider arriving  Tuesday,  September 24 to acclimate to  the  altitude and you are responsible  for hotel and  meals for that date.

Approximate schedule:

Arrive on Wednesday by 11am for cycle fitting with group dinner that evening. Thursday and Friday and Saturday:  Leave hotel 9am, Cycle in morning, lunch, and cycling after lunch with Angletech staff to support us, rest time, group dinner, social group time after dinner.  Group tour activity some afternoon.

Sunday:  travel home

Typical Weather in Colorado Springs late September is mostly sunny, with low of 49 and high of 73 degrees

Applications to be provided AFTER registration by email  and must be submitted by deadline indicated to be considered. Deadline May 10, 2024.

Application process: Complete program application. Permission form completed by physician by June 6, 2024