Middleburg welcomed the over 500 riders in the 25th Annual MS Bike Tour Saturday as they rode to raise funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Members of the Middleburg Professional Association staffed a welcome table at the MS Bike Ride Rest Stop at Middleburg Elementary School. Jo Ann Hazard, MBPA president, Ken Reid, vice president of MBPA and Economic Development Co-ordinator Claudia Dornin welcomed the riders to Middleburg personally, and were pleased when many riders commented favorably on the "…beautiful village."

President Hazard organized a raffle for the riders that included a one-night stay at The Middleburg Country Inn, dinner for two at The Hidden Horse Tavern and a Book on Biking from Books & Crannies. Punkin Lee provided a much-welcomed tent to provide shade for the welcome committee and the riders.

The riders arrived between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on their way back to Purcellville, and 127 folks signed up for the MBPA raffle. Robin Swift of the National MS Foundation said this was the only outreach of this kind from any of the towns along the route.

Among the riders, many had never visited Middleburg before. The majority originated in the Washington Metropolitan Area, but some were from Northern Virginia, Pennsylvania and Colorado.

"For first timers, there seemed to be surprise that "this cool little town" existed so close to DC/Arlington," said Dornin. "Folks consistently remarked on how beautiful the area was and how much they appreciated that we took the time to be there to welcome them."