The Best of the Blue Ridge, the Artie Levin Memorial Ride will give cyclists time to appreciate one of Virginia's best assets, the Blue Ridge Mountains. Participants will enjoy cycling through this beautiful area while enjoying the magnificent colors of the fall foliage. Unlike racing events, this event is designed to provide a scenic, challenging route for both the experienced cyclist and the energetic novice.

Join us in our second year of Bike MS: Best of the Blue Ridge, the Artie Levin Memorial Ride! We expect to have 300 cyclists unite to raise money to find a cure for multiple sclerosis. The Artie begins and ends in Buchanan, Virginia at the Buchanan Fairgrounds on September 26 & 27, 2009. Sleepover options include camping in the Best of the Blue Ridge Tent City or you may choose to spend the night in one of the area's fine hotels.

This ride represents a joint effort with the help of the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club in Roanoke, Virginia to honor Artie Levin, or "Mr. Fitness" as he was known for years in Roanoke, Virginia. This ride offers unforgettable scenic routes during the two full days of cycling with 25, 50, 75 and 100 mile options planned by the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club. This event is an all weekend party, southwest Virginia style! Enjoy BBQ, your favorite beverages, bluegrass music, and the sites in historic Buchanan, Virginia...the "Gateway to the Shenandoah Valley" where fall foliage beauty in the Appalachians is common and the traffic is rare. Sunday's finish line will be the best yet, with an outdoor barbeque, music and crowds to cheer you on as you cross the finish line.

The registration fee for the Best of the Blue Ridge, the Artie Levin Memorial Ride is $40.00 and all participants must raise a minimum of $250.00 to participate. These fees help support the 3,000 people living with MS in our area as well as national efforts to help find a cure for multiple sclerosis.

In 2009, the Best of the Blue Ridge, the Artie Levin Memorial Ride will have a variety of route lengths for participants, so that whether you're a novice or an expert cyclist, you may choose your personal challenge. Lengths include a 25-mile, 50-mile, 75-mile and 100-mile route on both Saturday and Sunday.

To register go to: http://bikevab.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_VAB_Register

or call 1-800-451-0373 for help with the registration process.