You’re standing in a massive parking lot in Cherry Hill, and it’s barely 6:00 AM. It’s cold. Your breath is visible in the crisp morning air, and there is a low hum of thousands of clicking derailleur gears and the smell of industrial-strength coffee. This is the start of the MS City to Shore bike ride, an event that has basically become a rite of passage for cyclists in the Greater Philadelphia area.
Honestly, it’s a weird mix of a grueling physical challenge and a massive, rolling party. You see people on $10,000 carbon fiber racing bikes wearing aerodynamic Lycra standing right next to a guy in a tutu riding a rusted mountain bike he found in his garage last Tuesday. That’s the magic of it. It’s not just about the mileage; it’s about the fact that every single person there is pedaling toward the same goal: finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.
The ride usually spans two days, though you can opt for the one-day trek. Most people aim for the classic 75 or 100-mile routes on Saturday, heading from the Philly suburbs all the way down to Ocean City, New Jersey.
The Logistics of Riding to the Ocean
If you've never done a "century" or even a "metric century," the scale of this thing can feel a bit overwhelming. You aren't just riding down a bike path. You are navigating backroads, dodging potholes in Hammonton, and praying the wind doesn't kick up when you hit the flat, exposed marshlands near the coast.
National MS Society organizers have this down to a science. They’ve been doing this for over 40 years. You have rest stops roughly every 10 to 15 miles. These aren't just places to grab a lukewarm water bottle. We’re talking about high-energy cheering squads, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut into triangles, orange slices, and sometimes even local bands playing on the back of flatbed trucks.
One thing people often overlook is the "Bridge of Doom." Okay, it’s not actually called that, but the final push over the Great Egg Harbor Bridge into Ocean City feels like scaling Everest when you already have 70 miles in your legs. The wind coming off the Atlantic can be brutal. You’re tired. Your quads are screaming. But then you see the skyline of the Ferris wheel on the boardwalk, and suddenly, you find that extra gear.
What Nobody Tells You About the Training
You can't just wake up and do 75 miles. Well, you can, but you won't be walking for a week.
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Most veteran riders start their training blocks in June. You need to get your "saddle time" in. It’s less about your lungs and more about getting your body used to sitting on a narrow piece of plastic for six hours. If you haven't hardened your sit-bones, the MS City to Shore bike ride will be a very painful lesson in anatomy.
- The 20-mile rule: If you can comfortably ride 20 miles on a Tuesday evening, you’re on the right track.
- The Group Ride Factor: Joining a team (like the huge ones from various Philly hospitals or companies) makes the fundraising and the training way less intimidating.
- Nutrition: Don't try new energy gels on the day of the ride. Your stomach will revolt. Stick to what you know.
The Real Impact: Why We Pedal
It’s easy to get caught up in the gear and the Garmin stats, but the "MS" part of the City to Shore is the whole point. Multiple Sclerosis is a disease where the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers. This causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body.
I’ve seen riders who actually have MS participating in the ride. Some use hand-cycles; others ride tandems with a partner. Seeing someone with the very condition you're raising money for pass you on a hill is a humbling reality check. Since its inception, this specific ride has raised tens of millions of dollars. That money goes directly into research for disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and support services for those living with the "silent symptoms" like fatigue and blurred vision.
The National MS Society reports that there are nearly 1 million people living with MS in the United States. When you look at the sea of orange jerseys (the color of MS awareness) stretched across the New Jersey flatlands, you realize you're part of a massive, mobile support network.
Survival Tips for the Jersey Backroads
Let's talk about the terrain. South Jersey is flat, right? Mostly. But "flat" is a double-edged sword. While you aren't climbing the Rockies, you also don't get any descents to rest your legs. You are pedaling 100% of the time.
The wind is your biggest enemy. If there’s a headwind coming from the southeast, your 15-mph pace will quickly drop to 10-mph. This is where "drafting" becomes your best friend. Finding a group of riders moving at your speed and tucking in behind them can save you about 30% of your energy. Just don't be "that person" who sits at the back and never takes a turn at the front to block the wind.
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- Check your tires. The shoulders of some of these roads are messy. Glass, gravel, and those weird bits of wire from exploded truck tires are everywhere.
- Lube is life. Use chain lube the night before. Use chamois cream... well, you know where.
- The Finish Line. Crossing the finish line in Ocean City is a core memory. There’s a massive tent, tons of food, and usually a very cold beer waiting for you. The atmosphere is electric. You’re covered in salt and road grime, but you feel like a superhero.
Common Misconceptions About the Ride
A lot of people think you have to be an elite athlete to join. Nope. I’ve seen grandmothers on cruisers finish the 25-mile route. I’ve seen teenagers on BMX bikes. The event is incredibly inclusive.
Another myth is that it’s a race. It’s absolutely not. There are no podiums. There are no prizes for finishing first. If you want to stop at a roadside farm stand in Mullica Hill and buy a basket of peaches, you can. In fact, some of the best memories are made when you stop and just soak in the weirdness of the Jersey Pine Barrens.
Getting Your Gear Right
You don’t need a $5,000 bike, but you do need a bike that fits. A poorly fitted bike will manifest as neck pain at mile 30 and lower back agony by mile 50.
Go to a local shop in Philly or South Jersey—places like Keswick Cycle or Guy's Bicycles. Tell them you’re doing the MS City to Shore. They’ll know exactly how to prep your rig. They can check your indexing and make sure your brake pads aren't worn down to the metal.
Essential Pack List:
- Two spare tubes (flats happen, usually in the middle of nowhere).
- A CO2 inflator or a very good mini-pump.
- Your fundraising credentials (you need these for the rest stops).
- Sunscreen. Even if it looks cloudy, the Jersey sun will cook you over eight hours.
- Electrolyte tabs. Water alone won't cut it when you're sweating out all your salt.
How to Handle the Fundraising
The fundraising requirement can be scary for first-timers. Usually, there's a minimum around $300.
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Don't just blast a generic link on Facebook. Tell people why you’re doing it. Maybe you have an aunt with MS, or maybe you just want to prove to yourself that you can ride 75 miles. People donate to people, not just "causes." Start early. If you wait until the week before the ride, you’ll be stressed out. Send personal emails. You’d be surprised how many people are willing to toss $25 your way if you just ask them directly.
Planning for the Return Trip
If you’re doing the one-day ride, you have to figure out how to get back. The MS Society offers shuttle buses for riders and trucks for bikes. It’s a bit of a chaotic process—watching hundreds of bikes being wrapped in blankets and loaded into tractor-trailers—but they’ve got it down.
Alternatively, many people have family meet them at the finish line in Ocean City. This is the pro move. Have them bring a change of clothes, some flip-flops, and a towel. There’s nothing better than dipping your feet in the Atlantic Ocean after a day in cycling shoes.
Making the Most of the Experience
The MS City to Shore bike ride is more than a cycling event; it’s a community. You’ll meet people from all walks of life. You’ll hear stories of struggle and triumph. You’ll probably swear you’re never doing it again around mile 60, and then by the time you’re eating pizza on the boardwalk, you’ll be planning your team jersey for next year.
The ride is usually held in late September. This is "local summer" in Jersey. The water is still warm, the humidity has usually dropped, and the tourists have mostly gone home. It is, quite simply, the best time to be on a bike in the Garden State.
Actionable Steps for Potential Riders:
- Register Early: Prices go up as the event gets closer, and starting your fundraising page early gives you a huge advantage.
- Audit Your Gear: Take your bike to a professional for a "safety check" at least three weeks before the ride. Do not wait until the night before.
- Find a Training Partner: The miles go by much faster when you have someone to talk to. Join a local club or a corporate team.
- Map Your Rest Stops: Look at the route map ahead of time. Knowing that a "cookie stop" is coming up in five miles is a massive psychological boost.
- Focus on Hydration: Start increasing your water intake two days before the ride. Being "pre-hydrated" prevents the dreaded late-day cramps.
Doing this ride changes you. It turns "I can't" into "I just did." Whether you're riding for a cure or just for the challenge, the road to the shore is waiting. All you have to do is start pedaling.