American Cancer Society Bicycles Battling Cancer Rider Handbook Sunday, June 10, 2012
Dear Rider, Thank you for taking on the challenge of riding in the fourth annual American Cancer Society Bicycles Battling Cancer ride. By registering as a rider for the Bicycles Battling Cancer ride, you are taking an active role in the fight against cancer. While you re participating in this event, take a moment to think about how many lives you re touching and the importance of the role you are playing in the fight against cancer. It is important that every rider know the information provided on the following pages of the rider handbook to ensure a safe, enjoyable ride for everyone. Please take some time to review all of the information enclosed. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us at bicyclesbattlingcancer@cancer.org or by calling 508-270-4665. Thank you for joining the fight against cancer. Every mile counts, and with your help we are one step closer to a cure! Sincerely, Aaron Ladd Planning & Logistics Specialist American Cancer Society, New England Division Table of Contents Early Packet Pick Up... 2 Before You Ride... 4 Starting Line... 6 Maps... 7 Along the Route... 8 Finish Line Celebration... 9 Contact Information... 11
Early Packet Pick Up We encourage all riders to pick up their packets the week before the ride, and turn in any additional funds raised at that time. This will allow riders a smoother check in process the morning of the ride, and will also give riders earning a jersey the opportunity to pick it up in advance. Please stop by and pick up your packet at any of the following: American Cancer Society 350 Plantation Street Worcester, MA 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. American Cancer Society 30 Speen Street Framingham, MA 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 7 Friday, June 8 Belmont Wheelworks 480 Trapelo Road Belmont MA 6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Saturday, June 9 Hillside School 404 Robin Hill Road Marlborough MA 4:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. What is in your packet? 2012 Bicycles Battling Cancer Jersey (if you have raised $500 by June 5 th ) Race Bib Packet pickup is the last opportunity to change your route distance. Once you have picked up your packet you are expected to ride the distance your bib corresponds to. 100-199 Blue Century Loop 200-299 Orange Metric Century Loop 300-399 Yellow Lite Ride Loop Your bib must be visibly worn on your right side or back on the outside of any clothing or jersey. ChronoTrack D-Tag These are provided to ensure your safety. We can accurately keep track of who has started and finished, and will have a check point at one aid station on each of the 35 and 65 mile loops. This also makes it possible to share your finisher time with others. See instructions that follow for mounting on your bicycle. This must be fixed to your bike the day of the ride.
Before You Ride Pre-ride Preparations We recommend that you have your bike tuned before riding in Bicycles Battling Cancer. If you need gear please visit one of our great bicycle partners and sponsors. Gary: Belmont Wheelworks (480 Trapelo Rd, Belmont, MA 02478) Ron: Goodale's Bike Shop (14 Broad Street, Nashua, NH) Doug: Assabet River Bicycles (45 Main Street #103, Hudson, MA) Denver: Landry's Bicycles (790 Worcester Street, Natick, MA) Roy: Grace Bicycles (1574 Washington Street, Holliston, MA) Rider Etiquette/Safety Cycling Etiquette Obey all traffic signs and signals. This includes traffic lights and stop signs. If in doubt, check www.massbike.org/resourcesnew/bike-law. Communicate with your fellow riders using proper cycling terms/vocal warnings: o Slowing: When someone yells out slowing, this means that there is something that is causing the pack to slow down. This can be anything from a light, a slower pack of bikes, or a car up ahead. In any event, prepare to slow down. Tap your brakes and repeat the yell slowing. This is to indicate to others that you ve heard them and you are also slowing. This will also alert those behind you that you are slowing down. o Stopping: When someone yells out stopping, this means that there is something that is causing the pack to stop. Prepare to stop by tapping your brakes and repeating the yell stopping. It s VERY important not to slam on your brakes, especially if there are others behindyou. o Hold your line: When someone yells, hold your line, this means that you need to stay in a straight line as best you can. In most cases, the person yelling this out to you is attempting to pass. If you swing out or don t keep your bike steady, you could cause the other rider trouble. o On your left: When someone yells, on your left, this means that they are passing you on your left. No need to take this personally. Let them pass as they have the right of way. You should never hear on your right. o Car up: When someone yells, car up, this means that there is a car up front. It is intended to be a verbal caution indicating that a stop may be necessary. If you hear this, repeat the call so that others know that you are aware of the vehicle up front. It is also common courtesy to repeat this so that others behind you know about the car. o Car back: When someone yells, car back, this means that there is a car behind you. It is intended to be a verbal caution indicating that a car may be passing from behind. It is also common courtesy to repeat this so that others in front of you know about the car. Ride single file, please! Stay to the right except to pass. Pass on the left side only. Do not pass on the right. Do not cross the center line in the roadway, regardless of passing zone. Use proper signals when turning. Make left turns from the center of the road or from the left turn lane. Cross railroad tracks perpendicular to the tracks. Ride in control of your bike at all times. You should be able to stop within a reasonable distance. Ride defensively and predictably, with consideration for your fellow riders. If you must stop, move off the road to the right. Don t use aero bars when in a group.
Point out and call any road hazards ahead. These include potholes, drain grates, stray animals, opening car doors, bigger sticks or stones, parked cars, etc. Do not overlap wheels of cyclists ahead of you. A slight direction change or gust of wind would easily cause you to touch wheels and fall. Pedal downhill when you are at the front of the bunch. Cyclists dislike having to ride under brakes. When climbing hills, avoid following a wheel too closely. Many riders often lose their momentum when rising out of the saddle on a hill, which can cause a sudden deceleration. This can catch a rider who is following too closely, resulting in a fall from a wheel touch. Check the League of American Bicyclist website for more information www.bikeleague.org. What to Bring Required: o Tuned-up bicycles o Helmet o Two water bottles and/or hydration pack o 2 spare tubes Event Material (if packet picked up prior to ride) o Bib number o D-Tag Tire pump Seat bag with tire patch kit, common utility tool Padded bike shorts, jersey, gloves, and shoes Change of shoes, *cycling shoes with clip pedals are not allowed in the pavilion tent Jacket, rain gear, arm warmers, leg/knee warmers, or tights as needed for the weather Sunglasses, lip balm, and sunscreen Identification (driver s license) Cash and credit card (Silent Auction afterward) Cellular telephone Cue sheet: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/768122 Medications NO HEADPHONES, ipods, etc permitted while riding
Starting Line Bolton Fairgrounds 318 7 Bridge Road, Route 117 Lancaster, MA Century Time Line 6:30 a.m. Registration Opens 7:15 a.m. Line Up 7:30 a.m. Start time for riders cycling less than 15 mph. 8:30 a.m. Opening Ceremonies 8:50 a.m. Riders faster than 15 mph line up 9:00 a.m. Bicycles Battling Cancer Century riders are off! Metric Century Time Line 6:30 a.m. Registration Opens 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Staggered Wave Start Lite Ride Time Line 6:30 a.m. Registration Opens 8:30 a.m. Opening Ceremonies 8:50 a.m. Riders line up 9:00 a.m. Bicycles Battling Cancer begins for Lite riders! Century riders return to Bolton Fairgrounds after completing 35 miles. Metric Century riders will be able to leave as soon as the first rider returns, or before the last rider returns. Groups must be smaller than 15 riders and can accompany century riders. Route closes at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday for all riders.
Maps 2012 Bicycles Battling Course MAP and Elevation Profile
Along the Course Aid Stations To help you along the route, we will have 5 aid stations listed below. The stops will be manned by medical support volunteers and will be stocked with water, sports drinks, energy bars, fruit, and PB&J sandwiches. Use your time at these aid stations to fill your bottles or hydration packs, but don t stay too long. After about 10 minutes you will find that your body and muscles cool down and it will take more energy to get back on your regular riding pace. Groton School, 282 Farmers Row, Groton (Timing*) Bolton Fairgrounds (opportunity to leave extra gear) Westborough Middle School, 20 Fisher Street TCVS, 28 Howe Street, Ashland (Timing*) Hillside School, 404 Robin Hill Street, Marlborough *You must pass over the two timing mats at aidstations, otherwise we will call your emergency contact to ensure your safety. SAG (Support and Gear) SAG support is being provided in partnership with Belmont Wheelworks and Steve the Bike Guy. We will have mobile vehicles that will be traveling the route looking for riders in need of aid, as well as riders that will be staggered along the route to give support where needed. To signal Support And Gear vehicles, follow these three steps: 1. Off Road. Move off the path. 2. Off Bike. Stand or sit nearby. 3. Signal to SAG. --Use thumbs down for help needed. Dispatch Phone Number for Service Requests 781-635-7819 (c) Route The route will be marked both with yellow directional signs and white square lawn signs as well as white road markings in some towns. Should you travel more than a quarter mile and not see any of this signage, you have gone off route. Turn around and watch for the signs again to get you back on course. Signs will be located before and after the turn. Century Loop Link: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/768122 Metric Century: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1001774 Lite Ride: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1001797 Weather We ride rain or shine and there is no rain date. In the event of severe weather, the Ride Director may suspend or cancel the ride. Should the weather take a turn for the worse during the ride, please proceed to the nearest covered safe area. Aid stations are priority, but later in the route there are several refuges for riders. Once weather has cleared, you will be to continue on. Mile 68 I-495 Underpass Mile 78 I-90 Underpass Mile 84 I-495 Underpass Mile 95 I-495 Underpass
Finish Line Celebration Lunch Party trays Pasta primavera Meat and vegetable lasagna Caesar salad Table Talk Pies Beer Beer has been donated for our riders this year. Riders must be at least 21 years of age and show proper ID. Riders will be limited to 2 beers each and must present their bib to receive their beer. Musical acts and entertainment: DJ services by Mr. Bajan of Natural Mystic Soundsation of Boston, in addition to live entertainment, including country, jazz, and R&B performances Finish line announcements, courtesy of comedian Chris Tabb Silent Auction: Please bring checkbook or credit card (Master Card, Visa, Discover) to bid on these great available items: Red Sox tickets and baseball with Jon Lester s autograph Lenovo laptop Rudy Project bike helmet Restaurant gift cards Russian Icon Museum gift basket F1 car race lessons Auction closes promptly at 3:30. You do not need to be present to win, however if you are not going to be present, you must provide contact information in order to be reached afterward. Volunteers We can t do it without them! Do you know anyone who would be interested in lending a hand on the day of the ride? If so, please contact us at bicyclesbattlingcancer@cancer.org or 508-270-4665. Volunteers are needed at the start line, all along the route, and at the finish line, and can be planned to meet up with you after the ride.
Celebration Brunch Mark your Calendars! August 25, 2012, 11:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m., Waxy O Connors, Lexington, MA Recognize top fundraising teams and companies Announce 2012 Pacesetters Pickup fundraising incentives Brunch food provided Thank you to our sponsors and supporters
Contact Information Holly Maki, Project Manager American Cancer Society 2 Commerce Dr, Suite 110 Bedford, NH 03110 603.471.4124 Aaron Ladd, Planning & Logistics Specialist American Cancer Society 30 Speen Street Framingham, MA 01701 508.270.4665 We will have limited access to voice mail and email event weekend. If you need to reach us after Friday evening and before the ride on Sunday, call us at 508.277.3841 (Holly) or 781.635.7819 (Aaron). BicyclesBattlingCancer@cancer.org www.bicyclesbattlingcancer.org