Thank you to all cyclists and volunteers who have been a part of PA Dutch in the past. Unfortunately, 2010 was the last year for this ride. Please see President Tami Caesar’s message below regarding this decision. In addition, please find results and photos from PA Dutch 2010 and other ways to stay involved with Bike MS and the National MS Society . Please contact Nicole Lewis for additional question or concerns.

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Dear cyclists,

After months of research and many discussions between key staff and volunteers, we have decided to delay the introduction of a new fundraising event to replace the Bike MS: PA Dutch Ride until 2012 or later.

This is not a decision we are taking lightly. We know that this news will disappoint many of our veteran PA Dutch cyclists and volunteers who wanted to continue their personal tradition of supporting the MS Society. Having ridden in the 2010 ride, I know firsthand how special this event is and why it is so important to many of you.

As you know, market conditions have changed a great deal since PA Dutch was introduced in 1987, including the overall number of annual cycling events throughout the Greater Delaware Valley/Lancaster/Lehigh Valley areas. Not only did the increasingly crowded cycling market have an impact on the long term viability of PA Dutch, it has also made finding a time and location for an alternate event with more growth potential extremely difficult.

While we would like to meet the needs of the local cycling community, our ultimate responsibility is to people living with MS. The harsh financial reality of PA Dutch is that the expenses were escalating while revenue was declining. As a charity, we have to look at the bottom-line impact of every event and focus on activities that allow us to provide more funding for our core mission: research for a cure and assistance for people struggling with MS until we find that cure.

Please know that we are truly thankful for your past support and that we are committed to continuing to work with you to create and support fun, healthy events that will help the National MS Society reach its ultimate goal of creating a world free of MS.

Sincerely,

Tami L. Caesar
President

2010 Links

• Team results
• Photos & videos
• Top 25 VIP Club cyclists

Other ways to stay involved with Bike MS and the National MS Society:

• Register and ride in our Bike MS: City to Shore Ride on September 24 & 25, 2011
• Visit BikeMS.org for other rides similar to PA Dutch in our region
• Participate or volunteer at Mud Run MS Philly
• Participate or volunteer at a Walk MS site near you on April 17 or May 1
• Advocate in your community for people with MS and other disabilities
• Start an annual community event to raise money and awareness for people living with MS
• Nominate a friend or colleague for the MS Leaders Campaign
• Get involved in the Women Against MS movement
• Donate