GULF SHORES, Ala. — Cyclists from across the region will roll along the Alabama coastline this weekend as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society brings its Bike MS Tour de Beach ride back to Gulf Shores on Saturday, Sept. 26. The fundraising ride is open to cyclists of every experience level, with proceeds supporting MS research and programs for people living with the disease.
Riders can choose from three route lengths, 25, 43 or 75 miles, and each participant must raise at least $200 in donations to take part.
This year’s event also brings a significant change. After running as a two-day weekend ride in recent years, the Tour de Beach has moved to a redesigned one-day format intended to showcase Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and the surrounding coastal communities.
Bike MS Tour de Beach at a Glance
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
- Location: Gulf Shores, with event listings placing the ride at The Lodge at Gulf State Park
- Routes: 25, 43 or 75 miles
- Fundraising minimum: $200 per rider, which must be met before packet pickup
- Registration fee: $70 for riders registering now; fees rose in stages throughout the year from a $20 early rate
- Registration deadline: Online registration closes at noon on event day
- Minimum age: 12
- Information: National MS Society, 1-855-372-1331
A New One-Day Format
The Tour de Beach has been a fixture on the Gulf Coast cycling calendar for years. In 2023, the ride took place over two days, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, with The Lodge at Gulf State Park serving as the start and finish. Last year’s edition, held Sept. 27-28, 2025, also spanned a full weekend, starting at Lake Shelby in Gulf State Park with Saturday routes of 18, 26, 52 and 82 miles and Sunday routes of 25, 42 and 55 miles.
The 2026 ride condenses the experience into a single day. Organizers say the updated schedule is designed to let participants take in the region’s coastal scenery while raising money for a national cause, and it may make the event easier to fit into busy schedules for riders who could not commit to two consecutive days in the saddle.
The routes will carry cyclists along the coast, with fully staffed rest stops throughout and dedicated safety support teams on hand at all times. Volunteers and community members are expected to line portions of the course to cheer riders on.
Support Along the Route
Bike MS events nationwide follow a similar support model, and the Tour de Beach is no exception. According to the National MS Society, riders can expect:
- Rest stops every 8 to 18 miles, stocked with water, sports drinks and snacks
- Well-marked routes and ride marshals
- Medical support along the course
- Bike mechanics to help with flats and other breakdowns
- Support and gear vehicles, often called SAG vehicles, that can assist riders who need help or a lift
Riders younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is at least 21 years old, and a single adult may supervise no more than three youth riders.
E-Bike Rules
Electric bikes are welcome, provided they meet the National MS Society’s requirements. Approved e-bikes must be classified as bicycles and have a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph, which in practice generally limits participation to Class 1 and Class 2 models.
Riders using e-bikes are responsible for making sure their battery has enough range to complete their chosen route. They must also handle their own charging and transportation needs.
For riders considering the 75-mile route, battery range is an important consideration, as assisted riding over longer distances can drain a battery faster than some riders expect.
Why the Ride Matters
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system in which the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers, disrupting signals between the brain and the body. Symptoms vary widely from person to person and can include fatigue, numbness, vision problems and difficulty walking.
A landmark study released by the National MS Society in 2019 estimated that nearly 1 million people in the United States are living with MS, more than twice the figure that had been cited for decades.
Money raised through the Tour de Beach goes toward the society’s mission of funding research and expanding support programs for people living with MS. The organization, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, reports that it has invested more than $1.1 billion in MS research since 1946.
One of the Nation’s Largest Charity Rides
Bike MS is one of the largest peer-to-peer fundraising series in the country. The National MS Society ranks it as the seventh-largest such charity series in the nation and reports that Bike MS has raised $1.4 billion over its history.
The series includes dozens of events across the United States each year, ranging from single-day rides to multiday journeys, with routes from 15 to 150 miles. More than 35,000 participants and about 3,500 teams take part annually.
Riders can take part as individuals or form teams with friends, family members or co-workers, and many teams ride in honor of a loved one living with MS. People living with MS are also encouraged to ride through the society’s “I Ride with MS” program.
Make It a Coastal Weekend
Organizers are encouraging participants to turn the ride into a getaway. The event is set against the backdrop of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, which together offer 32 miles of white-sand beaches along with waterfront dining, fresh Gulf seafood and a wide range of attractions.
Families and groups can pair the Saturday ride with a few days on the coast, and friends and family members who are not riding can join the volunteers and spectators cheering cyclists along the route.
Organizers describe the experience as a blend of cycling, community and purpose.
How to Get Involved
There are several ways to take part even if you are not planning to ride:
- Ride: Register online through the National MS Society’s Bike MS website before the noon deadline on event day and meet the $200 fundraising minimum.
- Donate: Support an individual rider or team through the event’s fundraising pages.
- Volunteer: Help staff rest stops, support the route or assist at the event site.
- Cheer: Come out to the coast on Saturday and encourage riders along the course.
Motorists in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach should expect to see large groups of cyclists on area roads Saturday and are urged to slow down, give riders plenty of room and follow the directions of law enforcement and event staff.