Saturday and Sunday, October 14th and 15th, 2023 | MS Bike Bay to Bay
Howard’s Team hosts their season finale at the Bike MS: Bay to Bay in October. In addition to all the festivities planned by National MS Society, Howard’s Team hosts some additional events for team members, family, and friends during the weekend. To ensure you have the best experience at the Bike MS: Bay to Bay, below is an overview of the ride, an outline of important events during the weekend and a checklist. If you are a new member, after you sign-up, a Howard’s Team rider mentor will contact you to answer any questions.
Bike MS: Bay to Bay Overview:
The Bike MS: Bay to Bay is a one or two-day journey down the coast through some of the most scenic and beautiful routes in the country. Participants enjoy a fully-supported ride along three route options (25, 100 or 150 miles). Day One concludes in Carlsbad with a festival that boasts live music, refreshments (beer garden!) and an exciting health expo. Day Two finishes in Mission Bay with more fun and a barbecue! Learn more by clicking on the link from our events page.
Howard’s Team Weekend Schedule:
Friday – Irvine
5:00 pm – Howard’s Team Packet Pick-up and Welcome Reception
Saturday – Irvine to Carlsbad
7:00 am – Meet at start line for team picture
7:30 am – Howard’s Team Group Start
11:30 am – Post ride lunch and beers at the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort (Saturday Finish Line)
4:30 pm – Bike MS Awards Presentation
5:30 pm – Howard’s Team Award’s Dinner at the Westin Carlsbad Resort (property next door to Sheraton Carlsbad)
Sunday – Carlsbad to Mission Bay
7:00-9:00 am – Staggered start (start when necessary to arrive at last rest stop by 11:30 am)
11:30 am – Gather at meet-up point to get ready to cross the finish line as a team
Noon – Howard’s Team Group Finish Line Crossing and post ride lunch and beers (Ingram Plaza, Liberty Station)
1:00 pm – Event conclusion
Learn more by clicking on the link from our events page.
Checklist from Team Co-Captain, Jay McCabe:
Right Now:
- Sign-up for the Bike MS: Bay to Bay with Howard’s Team.
- Determine travel plans to the ride start (Irvine) and after the ride (Mission Bay). There are travel options to the starting line in Irvine including via bus booked through the MS Society on Saturday morning or Amtrak train on Friday afternoon. There is also transportation back to Irvine via bus booked through the MS Society on Sunday afternoon after the ride. See www.biketofinishms.org.
- Register to ride through Camp Pendleton. In order to ride through Camp Pendleton you will need to register here at the link below. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DWAQ-r0jwUyTzcoezrPFim7Stj-6LO1Pn2UCkO1VzKhUN1NRNE05WVU4S05HRVhCMEFSOVlBWEw2SS4u
- Make overnight arrangements at, or near, the hotels listed at the event website at www.biketofinishms.org.
- a. Friday – DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Irvine Spectrum – Same location as check-in, Howard’s Team reception, and short riding distance to ride start
- b. Saturday – Sheraton Carlsbad Resort, same location as Howard’s Team Dinner and Saturday Finish Line
- a. Friday – DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Irvine Spectrum – Same location as check-in, Howard’s Team reception, and short riding distance to ride start
- Develop your fundraising plan and start raising money. $400 minimum for all riders and virtual riders.
July:
- Start training plan. If you haven’t started already, get on the bike. Also, join us for our monthly Howard’s Team rides posted at www.howardsteam.org.
September:
- Order team apparel. The best way to find other Howard’s Team members is with our team jersey. You will receive an email notifying you when our team store is open.
October:
- Decide how you will complete your Rider Check-In and Waiver Form. All riders need to turn in a Rider Waiver Form with at least $400 in donations. You won’t be able to ride without it. I prefer to pick up my packet the Friday night of the event at the Irvine hotel location at the Howard’s Team Welcome Reception.
- Save the Date for Weekend Team Events
a. Friday at 5:00 pm – Welcome Reception (no registration necessary)
b. Friday at 7:00 pm – Team Dinner (registration opens early October)
c. Saturday 5:30 pm – Team Awards Dinner (registration opens early October) – All guests welcome, team member and non-team members.
Bike MS: Bay to Bay FAQs
Where does the ride start and where do we stay?
The ride starts at the Irvine Transportation Center 15215 Barranca Pkwy
Irvine, CA 92618 at 7am. Full ride details can be found here: www.biketofinishms.org
If you choose to stay in Irvine on Friday night, the host hotel is the Double Tree with a special rate of $149.00. Reserve NOW Click Here to make a reservation
I am coming from San Diego; how do I get there?
Three options:
Train to Irvine on Friday: We recommend you meet at the Oceanside Transit Center for Metrolink OC609 which departs at 3:26pm and arrives in Irvine at 4:16pm. There is a bike car on this train which can hold approx. 30 bikes. There will be a group of Howard’s Team members on this train. This allows time for packet pick up and socializing with other riders.
BikeMS Bus on Saturday morning: Please arrive at the Ingram Plaza Parking Lot (Liberty Station) by 4:00am to allow ample time to load bikes onto transport trucks. Shuttle buses depart at 4:30am and 5:00am SHARP. Link to purchase a BikeMS shuttle ticket: https://mssociety.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=ticket.start&eventID=1176
Crazy Person Option – Friday Bike Ride from Liberty Station (Sunday Finish Line) to Irvine at 7:00am: Co-Captain Jay McCabe, MS Champion, Rob Evans, and Team Members, Bill Arzt and Jim Hensel will be rolling at 7:00 am from the Sunday finish line at Liberty Station to the Double Tree Hotel in Irvine. The ride is ~85 miles and should take 7-8 hours (6 hours ride time). We will coordinate bag transportation separately so you won’t need to ride with a backpack. All are welcome, just know your limits. Contact Jay at 619-318-0070 if you are interested.
What about my stuff if I stay in Irvine Friday night?
It’s a short ride to the hotel from the train station in Irvine. Throw whatever you need in a backpack. On Saturday you can hand over your bag to MS transportation and it will be waiting for you in Carlsbad.
What happens Friday night in Irvine?
Howard’s Team has a team dinner at an amazing family run Italian Restaurant. We will group Uber to the restaurant. Dinner is $30.00 per person with hosted wine and beer. Sign up info to follow.
What happens Saturday morning?
Grab breakfast on your own and be ready to roll at 6:30am. We ride as a group to the start line, drop our bags, take photos, and start the ride. It is a ride and not a race. The rest stops are plentiful and well stocked. No one will be riding alone unless they choose to. There will typically be several groups of Howard’s team riders.
What happens once we cross the finish line in Carlsbad for day one?
While the ride was a blast, the fun kicks into high gear in Carlsbad with great food, free beer and wine, music, camaraderie, and lots of laughter. Your bike will be in a secure area overnight.
What about the Howard’s Team awards dinner?
Saturday night is the not to be missed awards dinner and celebration. Sign up info to follow.
What happens on Sunday morning?
Grab the provided breakfast – usually breakfast burritos and be ready roll at 7am. Sunday is another fun day and Howard’s team almost always has something planned – like a donut stop! This year we finish at Ingram Plaza in Liberty Station with food trucks, beer, and entertainment.
How do I get clearance to ride through Camp Pendleton?
Every rider who intends on riding on Day 1 from Irvine to the Sheraton in Carlsbad must provide their name, date of birth and driver’s license to Camp Pendleton before ride weekend. Please use this link to submit your information:
