Cycle for STEM 2014: Rider Need-to-Know
Between individual fundraising and corporate sponsorships, weāre right about at the halfway mark to our goal! For those of you who may need some ideas on additional ways to draw donations, our fundraising toolkit can be found here:Ā http://www.afcea.org/events/cycleforstem/14/includes/Fundraising_Toolkit.pdf
We have to keep our lawyers happy! Please fill out the waiver and emergency contact form and return them as soon as possible.Ā This is extremely importantĀ āĀ nobody gets on the bus to Pittsburgh or the shuttle to Whiteās Ferry and nobody rides unless both forms are completed in full and sent back beforehand.
Ā Meet-Up at AFCEA International
Ā 6-Day Riders:Ā Meet at 9am on Sunday, July 13. Expected departure time for Pittsburgh is 9:30am.
4-Day Riders: We have a volunteer that can take you and your bags to Cumberland on Tuesday (July 15) afternoon/evening (time of departure TBD), but we currently are unable to transport bikes on Tuesday. If you would like, you can meet up with the 6-Day riders at AFCEA on Sunday morning (or drop your bike off at AFCEA HQ at any time during the week before the ride) and we will transport your bike along with the others along the first days of the ride. (Your bike will remain secure on the truck at all times.) If you need your bike Sunday/Monday/Tuesday, or if you must travel on Wednesday morning, please plan to make your own arrangements for transportation. NOTE: We have reserved a room for you in Cumberland on Tuesday night. If you are planning to travel to Cumberland on Wednesday morning, please let us know ASAP. We expect to begin Wednesdayās ride at 8am.
Ā 1-Day Riders:Ā Meet at 6:30am on Saturday, July 19 for 7:15am departure to Whiteās Ferry.
Ā 1)Ā Safety ā Itās going to be hot and humid. Stay hydrated and fueled. If youāre not feeling well, do not push yourself beyond your capabilities.Ā The support team is there for a reason, and thereās nothing wrong with finishing a day in one of the vehicles if youāre not feeling well enough to ride safely to the hotel. Everyone has bad days on the bike!
2)Ā This is NOT a race! Some riders will be faster than others and that is expected. However, we do expect the group to stay within a reasonable distance of one another. Rest and lunch stops and support teams are spread out along the trail (cue sheets will be distributed each day) and all riders MUST sign in at every rest area and at the lunch stop. If you race ahead, you will not only be leaving the team, but you may be waiting for a long time at a rest area as the support teams will not leave a stop until every rider has checked in. Enjoy the scenery and the camaraderie of the ride! Itās more fun that way. Also of note is that the posted speed limit on both the GAP and the C&O Towpath is 15mph.
3)Ā Sweepers ā there will be a group of two designated sweepers each day. Those two people will be the last into each stop and the last into the hotel each night. It would be nice if everybody took a turn at least one day so that the same people arenāt sweeping all days of the ride. If youād like to volunteer to sweep on a given day, please volunteer now by emailing [email protected].
4)Ā Basic courtesies ā there will be other folks using the trail. Give an audible warning when you pass, ride defensively when around other riders and pedestrians, and remember that pedestrians and horses have the right of way. Obey traffic signs and signals (not just a courtesy, but also the law) and use hand signals as needed.
Ā 1)Ā Dinners ā Itās not required, but having dinner as a group every night is a lot of fun and a huge part of what makes this event so much of a team effort. Weāll plan to have dinner each night within a reasonable amount of time of the last riders arriving at the hotel. In every town, there are dinner options within walking distance of the hotel. (And in Hancock, weāre planning a pizza party at the hotel!) NOTE: Dinners are an out-of-pocket expense for riders and support team.
2)Ā Breakfasts ā Included at all hotels except Ohiopyle and Shepherdstown. At the hotels where breakfast is not included, breakfast is an out-of-pocket expense for riders and support team.
3)Ā Friday night in Leesburg ā A friend of AFCEA has offered to host the team for a BBQ at his house. To, in his words, ādo it rightā he needs about $400 additional dollars beyond what he can contribute from his own pocket. There is no expectation of you making a donation for this, but if you would like to toss a few bucks in the pot, a suggested amount is $15 per person. We will work out transportation for riders and the support team from Friday nightās hotel to the BBQ and back.
4)Ā Hotels for 1-Day riders ā If youāre from out of town and need a hotel on Friday and/or Saturday night, there are a number of hotels within a short distance of AFCEA HQ including a Hyatt, a Residence Inn, and a Hilton Garden Inn within 1 mile. You will need to make your own reservations if you need a room.
5)Ā Trail Nicknames ā Expect to get one. Youāll find out more on the ride!Ā Ā āŗĀ If you have a nomination for a nickname for somebody, please feel free to bring it up at any time during the ride!Ā (e.g.: Ā Co-founder Terry Rogerās trailname is āBoo Booā)
6)Ā End of ride celebration ā After we reach mile marker zero in Georgetown, weāre going to be shuttled back to AFCEA for an end of ride celebration. Food and beverages will be served and AFCEA does have shower facilities for those who need to wash off!