Frequently Asked Questions
The Cycle of Support Charity Bike Ride has been going strong for more than 15 years. We've seen it all. If you have have a question not addressed here, please let us know by emailing Hope Larson, and she or someone in our team will get back to you with that information as soon as possible.
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Must I wear a helmet to ride?
Every rider must wear a helmet to participate in Cycle of Support, no exceptions.
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What can I do to ride safely in the heat?
As we continue to see record-breaking temperatures across the world, it's vital that everyone take steps to protect themselves against the dangers of overheating. Riding your bike, especially in long rides like the Cycle of Support, increases the risks and so demands we be especially aware and careful.
Stay Hydrated.
It's very easy to underestimate the amount of fluid your body needs. Be sure to bring plenty of liquids on your ride and aim to take small, frequent sips, which helps your body more efficiently absorb water. If your bike only holds one bottle cage, consider adding another. Even if you think you have enough water, refill when the opportunity arises.
There will be plenty of water and electrolyte drinks at the rest stops and start/finish. Please take every opportunity to rehydrate and assess yourself for any possible signs of heat exhaustion or dehydration, and check on your fellow riders and teammates. Signs of dehydration include:
- headaches
- thirst
- dizziness
- irritable mood
- mental fog
Water is always a good option to help rehydrate you and cool your body temperature down, but on a hot day or after even moderate physical exertion, water alone may not be enough. When you sweat, you lose electrolytes through perspiration and risk dehydration if you don’t replenish these lost nutrients. To properly hydrate, your body needs a mix of balanced electrolytes and minerals that allows your body to quickly absorb the electrolytes and water, hydrating you faster.
Avoid Heat Exposure
What you decide to wear can largely affect how your body will react to the sun and heat. We suggest choosing clothes made from fabrics that provide sun protection and wick moisture away from your body. Some may opt for sleeveless tops to stay cool, but we recommend wearing sleeves made of a cooling fabric to avoid sun exposure. On really hot days, wearing a cap or bandana under your helmet can keep sweat out of your eyes. A bandana soaked in cool water and thrown over your face can be particularly refreshing when you stop for a break.
Regardless of what you decide to wear, please be sure to liberally apply sunscreen to any exposed skin. We also recommend bringing along a good pair of sunglasses.
Cool Down After You Ride
Allow time for a post-ride cooldown. In addition to stretching, continue drinking water and energy drinks to replenish your body. Take a moment to listen to your body and look for any signs you may be experiencing dehydration. After any ride, we recommend avoiding drinking alcohol, coffee, or sugary drinks that can dehydrate you further and mask any warning signs.;
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What happens if it rains?
Our highest priority will always be rider safety. The ride will proceed “rain or shine” unless we anticipate severe weather or are notified that routes have been compromised because of the weather. In the case of predicted rain, we strongly advise riders to wear appropriate clothing to stay warm and as dry as possible. We will monitor the weather through the National Weather Service leading up to the event and during the event itself.
Severe storms are categorized as those with lightning, severe winds, hail, flooding, and other dangerous conditions. They present a more significant hazard especially as they may appear while riders are on course.
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What is your severe weather response?
Our highest priority will always be rider safety. We have three possible responses to any weather we may encounter on the Day of the Ride. We will monitor the weather through the National Weather Service leading up to and during the event and quickly communicate any changes to our riders through social media and in person at the ride.
We may shorten a route.
A pre-planned alternate route has been identified and will be triggered if there is a weather delay or if we see that the weather is worsening. Riders will be notified of any changes immediately and provided with updated paper route sheets and access to the new route.
We may change a route.
In the case of a public safety emergency, course damage, or other situations where using the existing course may endanger participants, Cycle of Support will adjust the route as needed and update signage as needed. If there are any changes, we will update riders in person and through social media. Volunteers may be placed along the route if there are changes happening after the start of any ride.
In the most extreme cases, we may have to cancel the ride.
Your safety is paramount, and if our Bike Ride experts deem that there is sufficient risk, we'll cancel any remaining rides. We'll do our best to notify riders as early as possible and through all available channels. Should the cancellation be initiated too close to the event to adequately notify riders, volunteers will be on-site to communicate the updates in person.
In the event that severe weather approaches while the ride is already in progress, we have contingency plans in place. Cycle of Support staff and volunteers will prioritize communication and may let riders know by bullhorn, announcement, or via volunteers placed throughout the routes. Please note that rest stops are designated as assembly points and that vehicles will come to pick up riders in case of any emergency.