$73,000 Raised and Counting!

Sugarbees! Thanks to all of you for a great 2017 Bike MS event! According to our Team's page, we've raised $73,000 as of July 28. But remember, just because the ride is over doesn't mean it's too late to raise more money to help take the sting out of MS! You can continue to raise money toward this year's ride. Here's two dates you want to note for fundraising deadlines:

August 4, 2017: If you're aim is to qualify for a prize from the MS Society.

September 30, 2017: Or maybe you're like the beautiful Bees below and say 'who cares about a prize - riding for the best damn team is prize enough'.

L-R Christina Stroh, Carmel Crock and Kelly 'Sugarbee' Walker

The Sugarbee Effect by Emma Walker

Emma Walker - blogger, professional camper and niece of Kelly 'Sugarbee' Walker - tells us about her relationship with her aunt and gives us the story of Team Sugarbee from her own unique perspective.

 

"I don't remember the first time someone told me I looked just like my Aunt Kelly. It's happened often enough that I've internalized it. I don't mind; she is beautiful, and so I consider it a profound compliment. I've never had to try to look like her—when I got married and she offered to give me her wedding gown, it fit perfectly the first time I tried it on, no tailoring necessary—but that is, unfortunately, where our effortless similarities end. In personality, I have to work hard to be more like my aunt."

Read more...on Emma's blog at My Alaskan Odyssey

Team Captain Tim Walker, Jr. Thanks the Team

Team Sugar Bee, 

L-R Tim Walker, Jr., Heidi Walker, Emma Walker, Bix Firer

Thanks for riding in the 2017 Bike MS. It was great to see all of you and ride for a great cause.  You are making a big difference in fighting MS and together we can defeat it.  I am so proud to ride with all of you and bee part of the Sugarbee's.  Kelly is very appreciative and wants to thank all of you again for riding. 

We missed the Bee Stop at lunch, but were able to see "Mom and Pops" at the Sugar Bee Tent Saturday afternoon. They had fun being retired and enjoyed their time with all of the Bees. We are the number 6 team in fundraising and still have 2 more months to turn in pledges.  Awesome job! Bee Happy!

Tim Jr.

CBS Denver Interviews the Walkers of Team Sugar Bee

Check out this great interview with the Walker men from Team Sugar Bee by CBS Denver Channel 4 just before the 2017 Bike MS event. Tim Walker, Sr., Tim Walker, Jr. and Eric Walker share how the team's riders and volunteers have worked hard for 25 years to take the sting out of MS.

"We're not scientists, so we can't find a cure, so we wanted to raise money for that. We can certainly do that." Tim Walker, Jr.

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/06/18/team-sting-out-ms/

L-R Eric Walker, Tim Walker, Jr., Tim Walker, Sr. and Kelly Werthmann

2017 Day of the Ride Instructions

Well it's almost here...just a few more days until the 2017 Bike MS event. Wahoo! Thanks again for fighting MS as a Sugarbee. Here's some last minute information about the ride:

SATURDAY, JUNE 24

• We leave from the Team Sugarbee starting chute Saturday morning around 6:00 AM. There's about 71 Bees riding this year, so just look for a hive of bright yellow jerseys. 
• If you have to pick up your packet be at Front Range CC by 5:00 am to allow time for breakfast, luggage, etc.
• The Team Sugarbee Tent will be decorated in yellow and black and easy to spot in the Team Village.  
• The Awards Ceremonies on Saturday are at 3:00 pm in Ft. Collins. 
• We will swarm over to the team photo area at 5:00 pm.  Please wear a jersey, polo or Bee T- shirt.

SUNDAY, JUNE 25

• Sugarbees leave at various times Sunday morning and meet up at rest stops along the ride. We finish the ride with fellow Bees who ride at a similar pace and stay at the Finish Line awhile to cheer and enjoy the end of the ride festivities.

Any last minute questions, post them on TSB's Facebook page and we'll get right back to you.

TSB Wine Tasting a Big Success

A BUZZZzzzzing good time was had by all at the Team Sugarbee Wine Tasting/Silent Auction on June 4. What a great event it was with delicious wines, food, items to purchase, wonderful company and beautiful surroundings.

Thanks to Cheryl and Ted Swanson for hosting this fundraising event for the 6th time and to Debbie and Paul Joncas for collecting and creating all of the silent auction items, and for helping to serve the delicious wine selections from Pringles.

Kelly (seated) was given this gorgeous quilt, made by Cheryl Swanson & her sister. Holding the quilt are Tim Walker, Jr. and Cheryl Swanson. In front, left to right are Carrie Nolan, NMSS CO/WY President, Kelly 'Sugarbee' Walker and her parents, Betty and Tim Walker, aka Mom & Pop
Sugarbee.

Thanks to all the Sugarbees for HELPING TAKE THE STING OUT OF MS!

CANCELLED - Lookout Mountain Training Ride May 21

CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Thanks to all of you who have signed up to ride the Bike MS 150 this year. We are so glad to have you. We have around 50 riders signed up to date.

The Lookout Ride Mountain Training Ride is set for Sunday, May 21. Meet up at Tim and Heidi’s home located at 7705 Quartz St., Arvada, CO 80007. We will depart at 8:30 a.m. A ride map and directions will be available then. It can be emailed to you beforehand if you'd like.

RSVP to teamsugarbee@yahoo.com letting us know if you'll be joining us - and if you'd like the map ahead of time. Sorry, but we will not be having a rest stop at the top so plan to bring your own snacks and water - and you might want to bring repair supplies as well just in case. We will end up back at Rancho Walker.

Hope to see you there as we get ready for the main event on June 24 and 25.
.

June 4 Wine Tasting Fundrasier

Sugar Bee riders, volunteers and supporters, you are all invited to our annual Wine Tasting & Fund Raiser for the MS Society and Team Sugar Bee on Sunday, June 4, from 2 to 5 p.m. Of course it includes a fabulous silent auction.

Thank you Ted and Cheryl Swanson for hosting this event again, as well as Pringle's Fine Wine & Spirits for selecting the wonderful wines. 

The suggested donation is $35 per person: $10 for the event and $25 (or more hint hint) to the MS Society. If paying be check, please bring two checks. 

The event is being held at 701 East County Road 76, Wellington, Colorado. The house is handicapped accessible.

RSVP by May 28, to Paul or Deborah Joncas at debjon2020[insert@symbol]gmail.com. Hoping to see YOU there to HELP TAKE THE STING OUT OF MS!

Directions
Interstate 25 North to Owl Canyon and head west to County Road 15 (4 way stop), head north to County Road 76 (approximately 3 miles) and turn right. The Box I Ranch will be on your right, (approximately 1 mile).

From Ft. Collins
Take Highway 1 north and bear left towards Waverly onto County Road Highway 15. Head north on County Road 15 (4 way stop) to County Road 76 (approximately 3 miles) and turn right, Box I Ranch will be on your right, (approximately 1 mile.)

2017 Training Ride Schedule

Sugarbees, get ready for an awesome training season! This year, we've added a few training rides in addition to the traditional Lookout Mountain ride. Plus we have partnered with Team Left Hand! Woohoo! Because Colorado weather can be unpredictable, please contact us to stay informed of changes and any additional details. We will email up-to-date info before each training rides and post it on our FB group as well.

Here is the ride schedule for 2017:

• CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER - Saturday, April 29th - Ride with Left Hand to NCAR

• Details Here: http://www.teamlefthand.com/event/team-colorado-429-training-ride/?instance_id=293

• Sunday, May 7th - Centennial Century **This will probably have a different starting point (AKA brewery)**

• With Deer Creek (incline) - http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/36179396/

• Without Deer Creek (flat) - http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/724602621/ 

• CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER Sunday, May 21st - Lookout Mountain 

• Click here for more info.

• Saturday, May 27th - Ride with Left Hand

• Details Here: http://www.teamlefthand.com/event/team-colorado-527-training-ride/?instance_id=297

• Sunday, June 4th - Horsetooth/Fort Collins Loop Options (Here are a couple of options we are looking at)

• 36 mile - http://www.mapmyride.com/us/fort-collins-co/masonville-and-horsetooth-loop-route-29976118

• 50 mile - http://www.horsetoothcycling.com/bicycle-road-route-maps/rolling_terrain/loveland-carter-lake-masonville-loop/

• (Sunday, June 11th or 18th - Backup dates for the Centennial Century or another ride if Sugar Bees are interested)

This is a great time to invite fellow riders who aren't Sugar Bees yet! The more, the merrier! One : TAKE THE STING OUT OF MS!! Again, contact us to stay informed of ride changes and any additional details.

13th Annual Bowl-a-Thon February 5

It's time for the annual Team Sugarbee Bowl-a-thon on Sunday, February 5. Why do you think they call if Super Bowl Sunday? Well yes there is that other Super Bowl, but kickoff isn't until 3:30 so you won't miss a play by joining us earlier that day. All ages and skill levels are welcome to this worthy cause.

Proceeds will be used to augment the Sugar Bee's fund raising efforts for the 2017 Bike MS ride. The team's goal is to raise $100,000 in 2017. We have been one of the top fundraisers for many years and we're getting closer to the $2 million mark every ride!

• When: Sunday, February 5, from 9:00 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Where: Brunswick Zone - 9751 W. 49th Avenue in Wheatridge (east of I-70 & Kipling). 
• Cost: $15 per person for three games. This includes your shoes and one door prize ticket.
• Additional door prize tickets may be purchased before the drawings. We're lining up a bevvy of great items again this year.
• A full service snack bar and the game room will be open, too.

RSVP by January 31, to Tim or Betty at their home or cell number. If you don't have those, use our contact form and we'll make sure they get it. We need to know how many lanes to reserve. Hoping to see everyone there.

P.S. A big, big thanks to Brunswick Zone for hosting this fundraiser every year! We appreciate their support.

Registration is Open for 2017 MS Rides

Happy New Year Team Sugarbee! You'll want to save these dates for the 2017 MS Rides. Colorado riders: June 24 & 25 and Wyoming riders: August 12 & 13. You can save a bit of money if you register early.

Remember all the fun you had last year? Well you can count on even more in 2017. We're geared up to raise another $100,000+ thanks to all of you.

Emily & Andrew sharing a laugh with
Kelly 'Sugarbee' Walker at the 2016 TSB tent in Fort Collins.