Frequently Asked Questions

When is the The Alaska Ride?
The Alaska Ride will take place August 1 - August 7, 2010. Check-In Day for registered participants is on Sunday, August 1, 2010 in Fairbanks and the ride will begin on August 2. Location and times will be provided in the travel planner.

Where is the The Alaska Ride?
The Alaska Ride is a 6-day 450 mile bicycle event beginning in Fairbanks, AK and riding to Anchorage, AK.

What is the registration fee and age limit to be a Cyclist?
Registration is $75.00. You must be at least 18 years old by August 1, 2010 to register as a Cyclist. Cyclists are required to raise a minimum of $3,200 to participate in The Alaska Ride.

What is the registration fee and age limit to be a Crew member?
Registration is $75.00. You must be 18 years old by August 1, 2010 to register as a Crew member. Crew members are not required to fundraise, although a personal fundraising goal is encouraged.

What costs will there be for me during The Alaska Ride?
Participants are required to pay for their own travel to and from The Alaska Ride, hotel expenses, meals, and other costs prior to The Alaska Ride beginning and following the Closing Ceremonies. Once you are on the event your meals, tenting, transportation, and even some entertainment are provided for you. You will need some pocket money for incidentals, Ride merchandise or bike parts, if needed.

I registered as a Crew member and I haven't heard from a Crew Manager?
A Crew Coordinator will be in place no later than January, 2010. You will hear from the Crew Coordinator who will work with you to plan for your event positions.

What is the schedule for the opening/closing ceremonies?
Opening Ceremonies will take place in Fairbanks on Day One, Monday August 2, 2010. Closing Ceremonies will be held at the end of the event on Saturday August 7, 2010. Locations and additional information will be provided in the travel planner which will be provided in January, 2010.

How many people are expected to participate?
The maximum number of participants The Alaska Ride can host is 500 Cyclists and 100 Crew members.

Where are the overnight camp sites?
Camp locations will be made public early in 2010.

Can friends meet me at Camp and can they stay with me?
You may have visitors in Camp (we encourage that!). However, due to limited space and resources they are not eligible to receive any participant services such as meals or overnight visits. We ask that all visitors be gone from Camp by 7:30 pm.

What if I am a cyclist who can't finish the route?
The route is prepared for anyone that properly trains to be able to finish the daily route; however, if you are unable to do so, we have an entire team of crew members dedicated to “sweeping” the route. That means there will be someone to pick you up and take you to the next rest stop or into camp, should you find yourself in need.

What if it rains on the Ride?
The Alaska Ride will take place rain or shine. We will monitor the weather 24 hours a day on the event and make arrangements for a contingency plan, should the weather become a concern. Your safety is our #1 priority.

Will meals be provided?
Yes. All meals, beverages, snacks will be provided during the event. There will also be medical or first aid services and many additional services where possible. Each participant receives a hot breakfast and dinner daily in camp, plus a bagged lunch and loads of snacks are available on the route. You must decide on either vegetarian or non-vegetarian meals in advance of the event and you may not switch between the two during the course of the event, as our caterer shall have participant numbers of each choice.

What about tents?
The Alaska Ride will provide sleeping tents and locations for you to put them up. Each tent will house two participants. You must choose your own tent mate, or The Alaska Ride will assign a tent mate for you. You will be required to put up and take down your own tent in camp each day. There are also specific tent “addresses” where you will be required to set up. This is done so we can locate or account for everyone if there is a need to do so. Remember to bring your own sleeping bag and mat to sleep on.

Where will we sleep?
You will set up your tent at our campsite locations. You must provide your own mat and sleeping bag.

Can I stay in a hotel?
The Alaska Ride encourages all participants to stay in camp for the duration of the event. You will discover that camp life is part of the experience. Some of our camp locations are located in remote areas or small towns and hotels may be limited. If you do decide to stay in a hotel it is at your own expense. Please note that The Alaska Ride will not provide shuttles to and from hotels and you will be required to leave your bicycle at Camp overnight. Crew members will need to arrive back at Camp on time for the start of their Crew responsibilities. Cyclists will need to return in time to get their bike out of bike parking and on the road by 8am or your bike will be sagged.

I have special medicines that require refrigeration, what should I do?
Our medical team is comprised of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who will take care of all your refrigerated prescription drug needs. You will be able to contact the Medical Crew Manager closer to the event. You will also be required to fill out a medical form where you can list your refrigerated meds.

What do I need to bring with me?
Closer to the event date, we will send you a list of what to bring. This is a suggestion list, but please note that you are allowed to bring only one bag to check in to Gear & Tent. This bag shouldn't weight more than 60 pounds.

Are there laundry facilities in camp?
No, there are no laundry services available in camp, although we will provide hand washing stations near the shower trucks.

Are there showers?
Yes - we will have mobile shower trucks in each camp site. You will need to bring your own towel. Soap and shampoo are not provided.

Do I need to carry my own gear?
You will need to bring your gear to the gear truck assigned to you each day. The Gear & Tent Crew team will transport your gear to each day’s camp site and closing ceremonies. You will be responsible for collecting your own gear and carrying it to your tent.

How much money do I have to raise to participate?
Cyclists must raise a minimum of $3,200 by the fundraising closing date which is July 19, 2010. If you do not complete your minimum fundraising by this date, you will be required to do so on check-in day. This may require you to wait in line to complete your minimum amount. Any funds delivered after July 19, 2010 cannot be guaranteed to show up in your account in time to be considered part of your minimum. Crew members are not required to raise money, although it is encouraged.

What happens if I don't raise $3,200?
You will have the opportunity to self-pledge the remaining amount. We will offer a Delayed Self-Pledge form to allow for extra time to fundraise if needed; if you wish to participate you will be required to provide the remaining amount to meet the minimum.

What if I'm having trouble fundraising?
We are here to help you with everything from training to fundraising. We will help you discover the best fundraising option for you to raise your minimum - and then some. We have sample fundraising letters you can use for your personalized fundraising appeal letter. We have many fundraising ideas we will share with you. Remember, we want you to achieve your fundraising goals as much as you do. We will do everything we can to help you achieve this.

What should I do for training?
We have a 6 month training calendar of suggested training posted on our website. Cold weather months are a good time to take spin classes and take care of your bike needs, making certain everything is in working order. Read our online training guide and begin your training with short, regular rides on your bike and increase your time and mileage as you are able to do so. You do not have to be in perfect condition, nor do you need to be a “serious” cyclist to do this event, however, the better prepared you are, the more you will be able to enjoy the ride.