Now that you’ve decided to join us and make your miles more meaningful, you might be wondering “what’s next?”. It’s a good question! Below you’ll find more information and resources about what you can expect as a new participant. The journey has just begun and we’re here to make sure you have a great experience and feel confident in your fundraising efforts to support cancer patients and their families.  

Event Essentials

•  Your Why – Take some time to reflect on your story and share it with your friends, your family, your community and fellow  participants. Being clear on your purpose will fuel your ride and crystallize your motivation when the going gets tough.  

• Your Communications – Keep an eye on your email, our social media channels, text messages from our staff and our website for all the updates and pertinent information you’ll need as we approach the event date.

• Your Fundraising Resources – Visit our Fundraising page for helpful resources to reach your fundraising goals. Whether you host an in-person fundraiser, create a Facebook Fundraiser, utilize your employer’s matching gift program and/or a combination of strategies, there are a number of tactics you can use to guarantee success. Remember, sharing your “why” will compel your network to support you and our critical mission.  

• Your Training – Assess your level of fitness and create a training plan that suits your abilities. Remember, this is a ride, not a race! On event day, our volunteers and partners are here to make sure you stay hydrated     and well-nourished; you have places to rest and recover and a team of fellow participants by your side to keep you going. 

• Your Plan – Think ahead and determine what you want your experience to look like. Will  you drive or receive a ride to your start point? Will you ride as part of a team or as an individual? Will you book a night in a hotel and spend the weekend down the shore? There are many considerations, so review our event updates carefully and create the best plan for you. 

• Your Support – Know that you are not alone. As part of our community, you are raising life-saving funds and challenging yourself alongside thousands of other like-minded athletes to end cancer. We are all here to support, motivate and inspire you. Reach out to our staff, a committee member, a teammate, a friend or a supporter if you need a piece of information, a tip to help train better or advice on how to maximize your fundraising efforts – we're all here to help!  

Q: What do I need and what don’t I need? 
A: More information coming soon.

Q: How do I start fundraising?
A: Check out our new participant fundraising starter guide located below. You can also check out our Fundraising page for located here for more information.

Q: Is there a fundraising minimum?
A: More information coming soon.

Q: Do I need to be on a team?
A: No, participants can choose to participate individually or on a team. Consider joining a team or starting one as it builds a sense of community and is an effective way to raise more awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society. If you’re interested in joining a team, we have a team specifically for new participants that we can connect you with!

Q: Are there bathrooms along the route?
A: More information coming soon.

Q: Do I need event-specific clothing?
A: More information coming soon.

Q: What do I do if it rains?
A: More information coming soon.

Q: Are we allowed to ignore traffic signs when doing the event?
A: More information coming soon. 

Q: What do all those hand and verbal signals mean?
A: Cyclists use numerous signals to communicate not only with traffic, but with each other.  Be familiar with these signals and use them when needed:

Q: What are the first time participant's do's and don'ts?
A: Month(s) Before

• DO  train for the route option you will be doing
• DO fundraise early
• DO attend the Monthly Meet & Greets – date/time/location TBD

Week Before

• DO go easy – no hard training (too late!!)
• DON’T change anything that isn’t broken

Day Before

• DO layout your gear the night before (including pinning number on jersey)
• DO get a good night’s sleep
• DO get the proper gear for the forecasted weather 
• DON’T eat anything new or unusual – stick with carbs that you eat regularly

Day Of

• DO eat a good breakfast
• DO fill up your water bottles at home
• DO stop at the rest stops – they are there for a reason
• DO drink often – drink before you’re thirsty
• DO obey all traffic laws – we don’t own the road despite our numbers
• DON’T use any new gear – stick with stuff you’ve used before and are comfortable with
• DON’T go faster than what you’re used to – you’ll be tempted to hook up with faster s but it’s a really easy way to get fatigued early
• DON’T bring too much food with you – there will be plenty at the rest stops. Carry as little as possible

At the End Point

• More information coming soon.

Kickstart Your Fundraising Journey!

• Set a fundraising goal- Aim high!
• Make a self-donation- Kickstart your fundraising and show others that you’re leading the way.
• Personalize your page- Did you know you can raise up to 6x more by personalizing your fundraising page? Share why the mission and this event isimportant to you and make sure your family and friends know it's YOUR page when they click the link.
• Add Fundraising Milestones- Create mini goals that will inspire your donors to give a little extra. Choose between mission-based milestones to show donors how their support is making an impact or add your own to personify how you like to fundraise. For example, if you raised $500 last year, consider adding a message like, “Last year my biggest milestone was $500. Help me reach that again!”
• Add Fundraising Link to Your Emails - Include your fundraising link on all outgoing emails and texts. Also, re-record your voicemail to include a mention about your event and a request to contact you about donating.
• Donor Incentives- Set any kind of prize, item, or giveaway for incentives. For instance, one participant offered to make cookies for anyone who donated $100.
• Matching Gifts - Many companies offer matching gifts, which double or even triple donations with no extra effort on your end.
• QR Codes - Create a QR code then print it out to use for fundraising events or just save it directly to your phone and pull it up to show it to friends and family so they can quickly scan it with their phone and donate. If you need help creating a QR code reach out to our staff partners!

Utilize your Training!

• Create a Workout Playlist - Have anyone who donates $5 add one song of their choice to your workout playlist! *Recommended for indoor workouts/riding only*
• Utilize DetermiNation ribbons - For every $5 someone donates you will dedicate a ribbon in honor or in memory of their loved one. On event day, you can wear your ribbons on a loop, safety pin them on your back, or keep them on you somehow in any other creative and meaningful way! This will give you purpose with every mile. Reach out to your ACS staff partner for ribbons if interested. 
• Donation-Based Workout - Go online and let your donors know for every $1 they donate you will do one squat, or for every $5 they donate you will do 5 burpees. Get creative and choose your favorite exercises for a donation-based workout.  

The Power of Social Media! 

• Use your social media pages - Did you know people raising funds through social media raise 7x more than ones who don’t?  
• Create a Facebook Fundraiser - Connecting your Facebook Fundraiser is easy. Watch this video to learn how and check out this guide for step-by-step instructions. 
• Download the ACS FUNdraising app - Through the ACS Mobile App you can ask for donations easily and personally through email and LinkedIn.  You also have the ability to update your personal profile and share your story and Who Are You Riding For, along with the ability to keep track of your fundraising goals and progress. Participants that use the FUNdraising appraise up to 43% more online than average participants.  Download is available on the App Store or Google Play Store.
• Give your campaign a unique hashtag - Use it consistently throughout your training to share your story about why you're training. Don't forget to tag us on social media!

Use your hobbies to your advantage. 

• Studies show that if you do a fundraiser with a personal touch such as something you're interested in, or a creative idea people around you are more likely to donate to your cause. This means you can turn your favorite holiday, hobby, or even recipe into a fundraiser! See some ideas listed below:
• Silent / Online Auction - This can be a great way to get your local community involved! Host a silent or online auction where you can have local businesses donate goods and items or work with local artists in the area to contribute pieces of art that you know people will love. Maybe you’re a creative yourself and you could auction your own pieces off!
• Happy Hour - Host a Happy Hour. Grab your teammates, friends, family and co-workers to show up at your place or your favorite restaurant or pub — this can be a great way to recruit new members as well. Work with location you choose to have tickets available for your invited guest that include discounts for food or drinks!
• Garage Sale - Go through your things and see what you can sell at a garage sale! This can be a great way to repurpose your old stuff for a great cause.
• Trivia Night - Organize a trivia night with friends and family. Host one at a favorite local community spot or at your home! Sell tickets for the event that will go towards your fundraiser or do a 50/50 drawing at the end of the night to encourage your team members and more to come out and support you.
• Football Squares – Football squares are a fun and easy way to raise funds towards your efforts. Plus, you are giving your donors a chance to win! For detailed instructions or templates, simply Google “Football Square Fundraiser”.
• Bake Sale – Enjoy baking as a hobby? Use this opportunity to sell cookies to your family members, colleagues, and friends where funds can go towards your eventfundraiser.