e-News: July 23, 2008
CONTENTS
1. Meet the Crews and Committees
2. Departure Day – Bring Family and Friends!
3. Halfway Party in Kingston
4. Montreal Arrival
5. Tips for Riding in Inclement Weather
6. The Roundup with the Rubbermaid Rustlers
7. Reminder – How to signal when you need HELP
1. Meet the Crews and Committees
By now you are no doubt aware that the Friends For Life Bike Rally is primarily organized by an extremely dedicated group of volunteers, affectionately known as the Steering Committee. You met them in an earlier version of the e-News, but now that you’ve had more exposure to the Bike Rally, we thought it would be a good idea to introduce them again. As well, many of the Steering Committee members head up Committees of other dedicated volunteers to help them carry out their mandate.
In addition to all the work that goes on before the ride itself, we have over 100 volunteers working as Crew. Without the work and dedication of these incredible folks, this thing just would not happen. When you see these folks along the way, please thank them for their valuable work in getting us ready to ride and supporting us along the way! We couldn’t do it without them!
2. Departure Day – Bring Family and Friends!
Date
Sunday, July 27th
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7:00 AM
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Participant Sign in |
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8:00 AM
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Group photos (Crew and Rider, Rider, Crew) on steps of Legislature
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8:15 AM
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Ceremonies and speeches from Co-chairs and special guests
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8:35 AM
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Stretching with Rex Harrington
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8:50 AM
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Riders line up in pairs
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9:00 AM
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Departure
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**Please note slight changes to the schedule as listed in the Handbook.
Location
Queen’s Park
(University Avenue, between College and Wellesley Streets)
After months of fundraising, training and preparation, the big day has arrived! When you arrive at the park, sign in at the registration desk. Coffee, beverages and snacks will be available. Participants must wear the official 2008 Friends For Life Bike Rally jersey or t-shirt. Riders should bring everything they need for the first day on the road, including the Day 1 route maps and as much water as you need to get you to the first break spot. During the ceremonies, Riders are asked to leave their bicycles in the designated area. We’ll pose for group photos, listen to some speakers and get led through some stretching with Rex Harrington. Riders will then line up in pairs and ride out together in a slow and orderly procession.
Make sure you invite your family and friends to join us and send you on your way!
Crew may have duties that necessitate meeting before the ceremonies at a different location and time – please check with your Crew Leader.
3. Halfway Party in Kingston
Date
Tuesday, July 29th
Buffet Dinner: 6:00 – 9:00 PM
DJ and Dancing: 9:00PM to Bedtime
Location
The Grizzly Grill
395 Princess Street
www.grizzlygrill.on.ca
This year, our “Halfway” party on Day 3 will be held at The Grizzly Grill. Whether you want to dance up a storm, play some pool or just sit and chill with your new Bike Rally friends, the Grizzly is the place to be. In addition, based on responses to the survey Participants were asked to complete, the Grizzly will also be offering a reasonably-priced buffet dinner for the Bike Rally. Click here to see the menu. The Grizzly is not too far from the residence where we are staying, so it’s perfect for those who don’t want to venture too far. Come on out and have some fun!
4. Montreal Arrival
Date
Friday, August 1st , 5:00 PM
Location
Parc Emilie Gamelin
Rue Berri, north of Ste-Catherine
After six incredible days, our Riders will leave the bike path at a designated spot, at which time Road Safety and the Montreal police will lead the procession to our final destination, Parc Emilie-Gamelin. Again this year we are being welcomed not only by our amazing Crew members, family and friends, but also by the incredible people of Divers/Cité, Montreal’s multi-disciplinary performing arts festival. (For more information about the festival and the events planned over the weekend, check out www.diverscite.org )
After the emotional arrival and all the congratulations, we’ll have a few short speeches and provide an opportunity for folks to take a group photo. Media will be present and we'll have access to a beer garden, courtesy of Divers/Cité.
Later on in the evening, after we have all picked up our gear and found our accommodations for the night, the Montreal Reception party returns to SKY Bar (1474 rue Ste-Catherine est). From 8:00 – 10:00 PM the Friends For Life Bike Rally has exclusive use of the 3rd floor and a VIP section on the roof. Come by for snacks, a few speeches and lots of kissing and hugging as we celebrate the amazing journey of the 10th Annual Friends For Life Bike Rally. Family and friends are welcome!
5. Tips for Riding in Inclement Weather
We’ve sure had some iffy weather on training rides this year! While the Bike Rally continues rain or shine, your Steering Committee and the staff at PWA put the safety of Bike Rally participants first. As such, we have adopted the guidelines set out below.
One well-known lightning guideline is the "30-30" rule: Take appropriate shelter when you can count 30 seconds or fewer between lightning and thunder, and remain sheltered for 30 minutes after the last thunder.
A PREPAREDNESS GUIDE for severe weather is published by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Weather Service. The following is our adaptation of that guide to specifically address cyclist concerns. National Weather Service has reviewed and approved this adaptation.
In general . . .
- Cyclists on the road are most at risk from thunderstorms if they are under or near tall trees, are on or near hilltops, or are themselves high points on flat terrain (such as crossing an open field).
- Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall.
- Rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide NO protection from lightning.
- If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Look for safe shelter immediately!
- When skies darken, look AND listen for increasing wind, flashes of lightning, sound of thunder
- Lightning remains a danger even when a thunderstorm is dissipating or has passed by.
When thunderstorms approach . . .
- If you are on a hill with exposure to the sky, try to head downhill, seeking out an overhanging bluff or a valley or ravine where you can lower your exposure.
- Move to a sturdy building or shelter if there is one within reach (such as an underpass, a large barn, a store or railroad station). Do not take shelter in small sheds or under isolated trees.
- However, get to higher ground if flash flooding is possible where you are (such as by a creek bed).
If caught outdoors and no shelter is nearby . . .
- Find a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles. Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding.
- If you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees. (Lightning is more likely to strike the tallest trees.)
- If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stand on end, dismount fast, get away from your bike, and squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the smallest target possible, and minimize your contact with the ground.
6. The Roundup with the Rubbermaid Rustlers
“Bienvenue à Montréal!”
Oh yes! Arrival in Montréal will be exciting... but it will be more rewarding when the Rustlers and other crew members, friends, family and supporters, all waiting with anticipation, greet the cyclists as they roll across the finish line!
After a brief celebration, some words of welcome, tears of joy, and lots of photo ops, the Rustlers will return to the trucks to supervise the loading of bicycles. Click here to read more.
7. Reminder – How to signal when you need HELP
During the Bike Rally, the Road Safety and Wellness mini-vans are along the route keeping an eye on all the Riders. If you have stopped along the side of the road, don’t be alarmed when one of the mini-vans pulls up alongside you. They are simply checking to see if you need any assistance. You can always signal to them that they don’t need to stop by giving the “thumbs up” signal. Alternatively, if you do require assistance, you should flag down a mini-van by waving both hands above your head.
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General Info 
