Bike MS: Great Maine Getaway 2013 Moves to the University of New England

BIDDEFORD, Maine, July 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --A new start/finish venue and exciting new coastal routes are the centerpieces of the 29th Annual Bike MS: Great Maine Getaway to be held Aug. 10-11, 2013. Organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the ride is moving to the University of New England (UNE) in Biddeford. MS (multiple sclerosis), an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. More than 3,000 Maine residents live with the disease.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130710/NE45227LOGO )

Relocating to UNE creates great new routes featuring priceless views of the Atlantic Ocean. Route options available to riders are 25, 50, and 75 miles both Saturday and Sunday, plus a 100-mile century Saturday, making this year's Great Maine Getaway the perfect choice for all experience levels. During the two-day ride, cyclists and riders from Maine and across New England will experience the beauty of Maine's southern coastline, including an up close look at "Walkers Point," the summer home of President George H.W. Bush.

"Moving to UNE and theMaine Coast turned a good ride into a great ride," said Alan Mooney,23-year veteran rider and chair of the volunteer-ledBike MS: Great Maine Getaway SteeringCommittee. "The committee recognized the move as an opportunity to increase ridership and fundraising to help peoplelivingwith MS in Maine. We're delighted with the great support and positive response we've seen from both our veteran riders and those who will be joining us for the first time. This is an exciting year for the Great Maine Getaway."

To participate in the Great Maine Getaway, each rider agrees to raise a minimum of $250 to help people with MS in Maine, and to fund cutting-edge research to stop progression, restore function, and end MS forever. Riders and volunteers can register online at http://www.bikeMSmaine.org. Donations for riders and teams are also accepted on the site by clicking 'Donate/ePledge' and entering the rider's name. For more information, contact Sue Tidd at bikeMSgne@nmss.org or 1-800-526-8890.

Supporting sponsors of the 2013 Great Maine Getaway are: University of New England, Maine Magazine, PowerBar, Poland Spring, Hillside Lumber and Smiling Hill Farm, KeyBank, Gritty McDuff's and WCSH-6. Bike shop partners for this year's ride are: CycleMania, Back Bay Bicycle, Allspeed Cyclery and Snow, Eastern Mountain Sports, Quinn's Bike & Fitness, Auclair Cycle and Ski, Freeport Ski and Bike, and Kennebunkport Bicycle Company.

Like Bike MS: Great Maine Getaway on Facebook to see photos, get to know riders and teams, and take a virtual tour of the UNE campus and ride layout.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

The National MS Society helps each person address the challenges of living with MS through vital MS education, support, advocacy, and services, and through cutting edge research aimed at stopping progression of the disease, restoring all function lost tomultiple sclerosis, and ending MS for all future generations.

Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at http://www.MSnewengland.org, or 1-800-344-4867.

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Bike MS: Great Maine Getaway 2013 Moves to the University of New England