2015 MS 150 and Psyclomaniacs

[William Chalberg]

Hello Everyone,  Just want to make sure you get to read Scott's letter about the opportunity to continue supporting the MS Society with the Psyclomaniacs.  Vicky and I roughed out the plan with Scott at the end of the 2014 ride.  I'm signed up and looking forward to the fun and the fund raising.....and, I admit it, hanging out at the team tent.  Happy Thanksgiving.   Bill Chalberg

Dear Pedal Heads and members of the Downers Grove Bike Club,

 

I would like to invite all of you to join Team Psyclomaniacs for this years Bike MS Tour de Farms. As Vicki Tate explained in her message after last years ride, she is no longer able to lead the Pedal Heads as a team. I have just signed up Team Psyclomaniacs with the MS Society and we are ready to start recruiting for this year’s event. I would be honored to have all of you join our team to raise money in the fight against MS.

 

Psyclomaniacs was first formed in 2006 as a way for me to raise more funds for the MS Society than I could as an individual rider. I started the team with a few regular riding friends I had. It has worked out pretty well growing into one of the larger teams at Bike MS. Over the years we have has raised over $368,000! 2015 will be our 10^th year as a team!

 

Fund raising has been the primary function of Psyclomaniacs and will continue to be. Remember our motto: We’re just in it for the money!  The second function of the team is to have a great time. Riders of all levels and abilities are welcome as long as safe riding practices are maintained.

 

I would like to keep most of the structural and functional parts of Psyclomaniacs intact though I expect there to be some significant changes particularly if most of you decide to join us this year (which would be great). I usually manage the team from a constructive neglect point of view which has worked out pretty well over the years however, if the team is going to be 60 plus members, I realize there will need to be more leadership from the top and involvement by individual members.

 

One of the things I admire most about the Pedal Heads are the training rides provided for the members to hone cycling skills. As the Tour presents early in the cycling season making sure all participants feel comfortable riding in a group and are prepared physically for the challenge remains a priority that I would like to maintain. With the help of the Downers Grove Cycling club, I am sure we can continue these training rides moving forward.

 

We typically don’t dress our tent up to any significant degree other than tablecloths and a few banners. This was because we had no volunteers other than Karen (my wife) and myself to do the work. I’m sure with your participation we can have a great tent and perhaps win the best tent competition. Also, the Tour would not be the Tour without margaritas made with the bike-generated blender and I hope this tradition will continue!

 

I am working on a new Psyclomaniacs jersey for this year. I would also like to cater in some decent food for the tent (as the food provided by the Society often leaves something to be desired). To help offset costs, I am asking for $50 per rider. This will cover the costs of the jerseys, food, and beverages for the tent. I will need volunteers to help manage these details and look forward to working closely with anyone that wants to participate.

 

In summary, I hope everyone that has ridden in the Tour de Farms from the Downers Grove Bike Club will sign up to be a Psyclomaniac and help us raise funds for this worthy cause. 

If you sign up between now and Thanksgiving use code “team” to get $20 off your registration.

 

Please feel free to contact me via e-mail with any questions, concerns, or interest in volunteering to make this the best year ever for Downers Grove participation in the Bike MS Tour de Farms!

 

Scott Burstein

Team Captain

Psyclomaniacs