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Can I only ride one day?
Yes, but transportation will not be provided back to Petoskey
What is the MI Double Cross Cycling Challenge?
The MI Double Cross Cycling Challenge is two-day charity fundraiser bicycle tour held Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24, 2007. We start at Petoskey High School in Petoskey, MI and travel through town towards Lake Michigan. After a brief ride through town we head out towards Rogers City. Along the route riders will experience the Ocqueoc Falls, the Cross in the Woods, the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse as well as the Nautical City of Rogers City which is on Lake Huron.
What is the difficulty of this ride?
This is a moderate tour through northern Michigan.
Is the $30 registration included in the minimum?
No, the $30 registration fee is due when you register. The $300 minimum donation is not until day of the event.
What are the accommodations for Saturday night?
We will be camping Saturday night at Rogers City High School. The locker room facilities will be open and available. Please refer to the list of suggested items to pack.
Is this ride a race?
No, it is a moderate tour through northern MI.
Is lunch included?
No, riders are responsible for their lunches; many restaurants are available along the tour route.
Is there an age limit?
You must be at least 18 years of age in order to ride alone. Otherwise, you must be accompanied by a parent/guardian who is also riding.
What is the registration fee?
There is a $30 registration fee
What is the minimum pledge amount?
There is a minimum pledge amount of $300
Will support be provided along the route?
Yes, we will have 3 SAG vehicles on the route at all times.
Will there be rest stops?
Yes, there will be rest stops every 10-15 miles along the route.
I have never been on an organized ride before and am a little nervous.
Have faith! The American Lung Association of Michigan (ALAM) will provide you with lots of support on the route - SAG drivers, mobile bike shops and our medical van. Of course, the weather may not be sunny and dry each day (be sure to bring rain gear just in case - check your list of things to pack for more information). Remember, we have spent months making this ride run as smooth as possible. So, relax and enjoy yourself.
What about meals? I love to eat and want to be sure there will be plenty of food.
Riders receive all-you-can-eat breakfast and dinner each day. Additionally, the rest stops along the route are loaded with an assortment of fuel-up foods and beverages. Although you are on your own for lunch, the route is planned so that there are many places to stop along the way, including places to eat.
Do camping venues have facilities?
Yes, campers will have access to washrooms and showers near the campsite.
Do I have to carry my belongings with me while riding the MI Double Cross Cycling Challenge?
Although it would be a great workout to ride 55 - 65 miles with a bag hanging over your shoulder, we will have a gear truck to transport your belongings along the route.
How do I find my way along the route?
When you check-in on the first day of the event, you will receive a queue sheet for that day's route. Queue sheets have line-by-line instructions of every road and turn along the route and mileage information. Each night at check-in, you will receive a queue sheet for the next day's route. In addition, the route will be marked with stenciled pink directional arrows spray-painted on the pavement. You will be able to see an example of what the arrows look like at check-in on the first day.
Am I out on the route alone all day?
Nope. Volunteers patrol the route in SAG vans during official ride hours. These volunteers are there to make sure that everything is going well on the road. They can be used for assistance if you are in need of help. Use the "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" signal to let them know they are needed. In addition, there will be two mobile bike shops and a mobile medical team available. You can flag down any MI Double Cross vehicle if you are in need of any of these services, because all official MI Double Cross vehicles can communicate with each other and can call for the appropriate help.
What happens if there is an emergency?
Our mobile medical team patrols the route and they will be contacted in the event of an emergency. They will also be available before and after ride hours at our overnight site. A detailed description of our emergency procedures will be distributed at the start of the event at check-in.
How much time do I have each day to complete the ride?
Although this is not a race, there are hours in which you must finish the ride each day. These hours will be printed in your rider guide, which will be available at check-in on the first day of the ride. Ride hours will be roughly from the opening time of breakfast until the middle of dinner hours. This is plenty of time to complete your daily ride in a leisurely fashion. If you leave before ride hours or finish after ride hours, support services will not be available. This must be enforced so that staff and volunteers can eat and sleep too.
Do I need to check-in when I am done riding each day?
Yes. This is VERY IMPORTANT. The check-in procedure is done for several reasons. First, this is how we know that you have made it safely to the end of the day and how we keep track of everyone. Second, you must check-in to receive your camping gear. Third, you must check-in to receive the next day's queue sheet. Although it's tempting to relax after you've made it to the end of each day, you must check-in before you do so. If you don't check-in promptly, you are making volunteers and staff work longer than necessary. Volunteers and staff work hard to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable ride, and they deserve to have some resting time too, so please keep that in mind.
What happens if I get a flat tire while riding? Will I have to carry my bike to the nearest rest stop or hitch hike into town?
One of the many services offered along the route is bicycle support. Our mobile bike shops are available to solve any repair problems you may encounter. Should you require help while on the route, use a ?thumbs down' signal to let an approaching repair van know you need help. However, carrying spare tubes and a pump and knowing how to change a flat is recommended.
I don't own an expensive bike. Will I have to purchase a new one for the MI Double Cross Cycling Challenge?
No. It's not important to own an expensive bike. What is important is that your bike fits you, you are comfortable on it and you have trained on it. Also, it's important that your bicycle is in good condition. (We suggest a tune-up at one of our sponsoring bike shops.) Participants ride different types of bikes - road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes, recumbents and even tandems.
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