Ride for the Cure FAQs

Registration & Fundraising:

Q. How do I register for the Ride for the Cure?
Online registration is quick and easy! Click here to register online. If you prefer to mail in your registration, click here to download a registration form.

Only Riders who have registered by May 1st and have completed their fundraising committment by Ride day will receive their jersey on Ride day.  Riders registered after this date are NOT guaranteed a jersey by Ride day, jerseys will be mailed to participants who register after May 1, 2010.   

Registration will be open from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 6th at Running Fit - 5700 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor.  If you are unable to register on August 6th, registration will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 7th at the Ride start. 

Fundraising commitment of $500 must be met in order to complete registration.  Credit cards will be accepted at Registration Pick-up and Ride Day.

Note: Registrations are non-transferable.  Each rider must pick up his/her own registration packet. Please bring a photo ID to registration.

Q. Where is the Ride start location?
The Ride will begin and end at Wines Elementary/Forsythe Middle School located at 1655 Newport Road, Ann Arbor.

Q. What time does the Ride start?
The 97 Mile Ride will begin at 7a.m.  - The 57 Mile Ride will begin at 9a.m. - The 27 Mile Ride will begin at 11a.m.

Q. How can I get started with fundraising?
Download our helpful guide to using your online fundraising tools.

Q. Can I mail in a donation rather than give online?
Yes, if you prefer to give by check, please download a donation form, fill it out, and mail it with your check to Mid-Michigan Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, PO Box 4368, East Lansing, MI 48826.

Ride Services:

Q. What services will be provided on Ride day?
SAG VEHICLES - If you are unable to ride, sag vehicles will be available to transport you and your bicycle. Please do not misuse this important support service as they are there to help riders in need.  Sag vehicles will make their final sweep at 4:30 p.m.

AID STATIONS - Rest stops will be located on the tour route approximately every 15 miles.  Fruit, water, light snacks, first aid supplies, toilets, and hand sanitizers are provided at aid stations at no charge.

BIKE TECHNICIANS - Wrench-hands will be available to assist you if you have mechanical difficulties on the route.  Each rider must carry and know how to use equipment to patch and change tires.  Our thanks to our bicycle technicians supplied by Cycle to Fitness http://www.cycletofitness.com/

MEDICAL SUPPORT - Ride For The Cure has gone to great lengths to assure your safety on this tour.  Huron Valley Ambulance http://www.hva.org/ will provide three ambulances for emergency medical support on the route.  Radio-equipped staff members will patrol the route.  

SPORTS MASSAGE - Certified massage therapists from the Michigan Massage Therapy Association will provide sports massage therapy at the event headquarter sites.

Equipment:

Q. What equipment will I need for the Ride?

Be sure your bicycle and equipment measure up to the challenges of riding the route you have chosen.  If you’re uncertain if your bike will make the grade, have it checked out by a qualified shop.  We highly recommend a “tune-up” for your bicycle prior to Ride For The Cure.  All ride participants can get a tune up for half off at Cycle to Fitness http://www.cycletofitness.com/.  A $25 savings!  Any changes to your bicycle or new equipment purchases should be done well in advance of Ride For The Cure.  

Cycling shorts, gloves and shoes are strongly recommended for training and the Ride.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

• sunglasses
•  sunscreen & lip balm
• approved helmet - REQUIRED
• cycling shorts
• cycling jerseys
• cycling gloves
• cycling shoes
• shoe covers
• tire levers and patch kit
• small tool kit
• frame pump
• spare tire & tubes
• lock
• towel
• clothing and shoes for after ride

Ride For The Cure is conducted on open roads with vehicular traffic.  Roads include both marked and unmarked hazards.  Though we go to great lengths to make the ride as safe as possible, always remember that safety is in your own hands and ride by these rules:

• Wear a helmet at all times – NO EXCEPTIONS.
• Carry ID and relevant medical information.
• Rules of the road apply; same rights and duties as the driver of any other vehicle.
• Ride single file where necessary, maximum of two abreast when conditions allow, do not impede traffic.
• Ride as far right as reasonable.
• Obey all traffic lights, signs, and regulations.
• Pass on the left only, announce “passing” or “hello” or “on your left”.
• Use hand signals to indicate road hazards, stopping, slowing, right, and left turns.
• Prepare properly – nutrition, hydration, training, and sudden changes in weather conditions.
• Respect others: riders, volunteers, host communities, motorists, pedestrians, law enforcement, and the environment.
• No headphones while riding.
• Accidents often occur in pacelines.  If you are inexperienced with drafting, do not draft.  Maximum paceline length is 5 cyclists.
• Ride For The Cure support & safety services are provided on the designated marked route ONLY.

Riding safely and considerately is vital to your enjoyment and the safety of other riders.  The future of cycling events in Michigan depends on your cooperation with the rules above.

Ride For The Cure reserves the right to terminate the registration of any participant disobeying rules.  Fees will not be refunded, and those involved will be ineligible for future Ride For The Cure events.

For additional safety tips and rules of the road visit http://www.lmb.org/.  League of Michigan Bicyclists is a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging and promoting bicycling, increasing safety, improving road conditions, and providing a voice for Michigan cyclists.

Food will be available from numerous sources on the route.  Aid Stations are supplied with fruit, light snacks, water and Gatorade Endurance at no charge.  Food vendors will also be present at aid stations.

Always carry a water bottle and drink plenty of water.  To avoid dehydration and “bonking”, drink before you’re thirsty and eat before you’re hungry 

Training:

Q. What if I am not an avid cyclist?  Do you have any training suggestions?

Ride For The Cure is a physically challenging event.  Unless you plan to spend August 7^th nursing a sore backside and aching thighs, we recommend you spend enough time training to complete the route you have chosen in relative comfort.  For a sample training schedule, visit the training tab.  If you haven’t begun training, start today!

Nutrition Tips:

Q. What should I know about nutrition?

It is time to train!  Training over the next few months will require spinning, climbing, and distance.  However, without establishing good nutrition and meal patterns, your performance will suffer. Finding out what foods and supplements work on rides now, will make for a very successful ride in August.  Use these tips to create a fueling plan, which includes the right balance of foods that work for you.

Hydration:

 Hydration is how your body manages its fluid balance.  The correct fluid balance helps to maintain blood volume, which is essential for cardiovascular function and regulating body temperature. Depending on you age, your body is made up of 50 - 70% water.  Since water is primarily lost through sweating, proper hydration while cycling should be a high priority.  Some of the signs of dehydration are: headache, dry mouth, nausea, dark colored urine, and exhaustion.

Calculating Your Fluid Needs:

On a short training ride over the next couple of months, it may be helpful to determine your specific fluid needs or “sweat rate”.  Keep in mind that each rider’s fluid needs are unique, and that those needs will increase during hotter weather.

To calculate your sweat rate:

• Weigh in before you exercise.
• Once you have weighed in, do not consume any liquids (it is okay to drink before you weigh).
• Perform 1 hour of vigorous cycling.  Do not drink during this hour.
• Weigh yourself again after exercise.

When calculating your fluid needs, wear the same clothing at each weigh-in and do not urinate once you have started the process.  For every pound of body weight lost during exercise, drink 2 cups (16 oz) of fluid.  For example, a 145 lb rider steps on the scale after riding and weighs 143 lbs. Since 2 lbs were lost, they will need to consume 32 oz of fluid per hour of riding.

Drinking Your Carbohydrates:

Along with proper hydration, consuming carbohydrates while cycling is essential.  Drinking carbohydrates while riding can help to improve performance by maintaining blood glucose levels during a time when glycogen stores start to drop.  These liquid carbs will help to fuel your muscle and current research suggests that sports drinks may help to reduce stress on the immune system. Cyclists should try to consume 50 – 60 grams of carbohydrate for every hour of exercise (this may be more or less depending on level of activity).  Below is a comparison list of some available commercial sports drinks:

Having a large amount of fluid in your stomach while riding may take some getting used to.  It may be helpful to try several different sports drinks throughout the training period, so you have time to adapt to this regimen.  Remember, taste matters!  By trying a variety now, you will know what flavors you prefer by the week of the ride.

Pre-ride Meal:

In the weeks before the ride, eat a diet that is rich in carbohydrates; at least 60% of your total intake.  Remember that athletes who consume diets chronically low in carbohydrates are depleting their body of glycogen “energy” stores.  Eating prior to cycling will not only eliminate hunger, it will help ensure glycogen stores stay full over the ride.  Some evidence suggests cyclists should try to consume .5 – 1.5 grams of carbohydrate per pound of body weight in a pre-cycling meal. For a 150-pound person this would be 75 – 225 grams of carbohydrate.  Depending on tolerance, this “pre-ride” meal should be consumed 1 – 4 hours before the ride.  Some riders may find it difficult to eat 1 hour before riding and instead choose to consume their power packed breakfast 3 – 4 hours before hopping on the saddle.  The lower end of the range should be utilized the closer one gets to riding to avoid gut problems.  If you are a rider that struggles with solid foods, consume liquids as a meal.  Below are some examples of morning meals for a150-pound rider.

1 hour before

• 1 bagel (60g), 1 tbsp peanut butter (3g), 4 oz orange juice (15g) = 78 grams of carbohydrate
• 1 cup cheerios (25g), 8oz skim milk (12g), 8oz fruited yogurt (40g) = 77 grams of carbohydrate
• 8 oz apple juice (15g), 8oz chocolate milk (30g), power gel (30g), = 75 grams of carbohydrate

It is important to determine your personal tolerance and what foods work best for you and when, before the week of the ride. Now is the time to experiment and perfect your cycling diet in order to maximize your performance.

Weather/Climate:

Q. What happens in the case of inclement weather?

Ride For The Cure has been scheduled during a time when we hope weather conditions will be favorable, but in the event of inclement weather, the tour will continue to roll.  Come prepared for all types of weather, including rain, and hail.  Bring inclement weather gear, including full-finger gloves and shoe covers.

Photography:

Q. Will there be someone documenting the Ride?

Jennifer Leigh Photography www.jleighpro.com will be providing photography services for the 2010 tour.  Photographers will be positioned along the route, taking great shots of cyclists on the ride.

Rider Area:

Q. How can I connect with other Riders before Ride day?

Become a fan of Ride For The Cure on Facebook Ride For The Cure. Interact with fellow riders; share photos and videos, post wall messages, and join discussions.  Also be sure to follow Ride For The Cure on Twitter http://twitter.com/ride4thecure!