Bike MS is back to its roots of being held this time of year and giving bikers a chance to ride along the water.

With a slew of different ways coastal residents can be involved in the ride, the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society hopes that everyone will do so at the 26th holding of the event.

 Tour de Beach will be held Sept. 24 and 25 with the ride starting each day at 7:30 a.m. at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Orange Beach. Cyclists can choose from 25, 45 and 75-mile routes that go through the state park, along Mobile Bay and even into Pensacola. Rest stops will be located every 10 to 15 miles.

 This charity ride asks riders to raise a minimum of $200.  Funds raised will support direct services for the more than 6,500 affected people and their families in Alabama and Mississippi, as well as national research to find a cure for this chronic disease of the central nervous system.

Riders of all levels of experience are encouraged to participate. The society likes holding a bike ride because there already seem to be large numbers of walks and 5Ks used as fundraisers.

“Cycling is a unique sport,” said Whitney Taylor, development and marketing communications manager with the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter of the MS Society and the event’s organizer. “Whether (they're) an avid cyclist, or haven’t ridden a bike in 25 years, or never been on one, we invite them to join. Almost anybody can do it.”

Those who want to be involved with the event but don’t feel up to the ride can volunteer to help with event-day responsibilities. Those with multiple sclerosis are encouraged to be “Pedal Partners,” where they get paired with a specific cyclist, acting as inspiration for that cyclist and adding a face to the cause.

Others can hang around for the start and finish of the ride as encouragement, donate or take the names of cyclists to write thank you notes. There are many ways to be involved in the event without participating in the ride.

Taylor said that this year they are hoping for 200 to 250 cyclists and looking to raise $160,000. At press time, they had 160 registered riders and were well on their way to having more than 200 by the time of the race.

Besides funds donated and awareness, Taylor’s goal is also to really involve the Gulf Coast community as a whole in the event.

“I really wanted to engage the part of the state where we are holding the event,” she said. “I wanted them to be behind it, support it and for it to be a community effort.”

And, she has seen that response from the area with local businesses and groceries donating refreshments for the start, finish and rest stops. This has been organized and led by local restaurant EAT!. Local tourism departments have been a big help, and the sports commissions from both communities are also hosting the event, she said.

Besides the ride, there will be an awards ceremony on Sept. 24 to talk about the day and honor team captains, cyclists/volunteers, loved ones and anyone involved in the event. This seated dinner will be held at 7 p.m. at the Hampton after a cocktail hour from 5 to 6 p.m.

For more information on the event or to register as a participant or volunteer, visit www.bikeMSalabama.org or contact Whitney Taylor at 205-879-8546.