Who Do I Call If I Have Questions?
• If you're a Rider: Call your Team Captain
• If You're a Team Captain: Call or Email your City Event Director.
• If You're an Event Director: Contact the Ride Team at 1.800.465.7601 x229
What happens if we wake up October 18th to bad weather?
The answer is “rain or snow, we’re gonna go”. We will carefully monitor weather conditions of course and like last year, we will do what is necessary to safe-guard our cyclists but the bottom line is that we ride on October 18th regardless of the weather.
What time should we show up on Ride Day?
Registration opens at 8am for all ride locations. Ride routes open at 9am with rolling departure times for groups of riders every 15 minutes or as needed. Teams are welcome to leave together with an understanding that if you have team members who signed up for 75 or 100 kms you need to leave early enough to allow longer distance riders enough time to finish their ride by 3pm. All riders must be off the road by the 3pm deadline. NOTE: As a rule it takes 1.5 hours to complete 25 km at a leisurely pace; 3 hours for 50 and 4-5 hours for 100 km.
What do I do with my pledge sheet and money?
On Ride Day registration opens at 8am in all locations. Bring your pledge sheet with all cheques, cash and coin being sure to carefully review your sponsors for legible names, email, and credit card information. You will be greeted by some friendly Registration Volunteers and welcomed to sit for a few minutes while they reconcile your pledge sheet and where applicable, hand out rider reward tickets for you to redeem.
Where are the Ride Route Maps?
If you visit your RIDE location's page on this site (Click your city's name on the top yellow bar, or choose 'Info > Ride Locations from the menu), many locations have already posted their route maps. The pages are updated regularly, so check back soon if your city has not yet posted the routes.
Do I need to wear a helmet?
Yes! The Ride for Refugees requires all participants to wear approved cycling helmets. Cyclists under 18 are required by law to wear an approved bicycle helmet when riding a bike on a roadway or sidewalk in Ontario. Other kinds of protective helmets, such as hockey helmets, are not acceptable. NOTE: We will enforce this rule for all riders.
What happens if my bike breaks down?
All riders are expected to do a “once-over” on their bicycle before the ride begins. However, we will have some tools on hand and we encourage ride captains to organize one of their mechanically minded team members to come with a few wrenches and screw-drivers.
What happens if I get hurt?
Each ride location organizing team will have already given notice to local authorities about the ride date, route, number of expected riders and where appropriate, “intersections of concern” where local police presence might be welcome. Emergency contacts for each location will liaison any communication in the event of an accident
Do I have to ride with my team?
No you don’t – you may end up staying together for part or all of the ride but although we begin in a large group we often end up riding in small packs with riders of similar physical conditioning.
Are there stops along the route?
You bet. Approximately every 6-10 kilometers you will find a rest area that includes a porta-potty, and water. GORP, fruit, power bars etc are available at the 12 km check point as well as the start line. Many cyclists enjoy a nice rest along the way – be sure to take time yourself and remember, it’s not a race – it’s a ride.
What happens after the ride is over?
We party...some of us in spite of a lot of pain! Each ride location will host a celebration lunch where all volunteers, riders and friends of the ride are welcomed. Each location will feature a very short announcement time where all teams are introduced and appropriately recognized for their hard work. And in most locations we enjoy looking at the great and funny shots taken by the RIDE's official photographer projected on a large screen.
Will I meet any refugees on ride day?
We earnestly invite any current or former refugees to participate in the RIDE for Refugees and expect to see representation by our newly arrived friends in all locations.
If people sponsor me will my team get credit for it?
Yes. If you have joined a team your fund-raising and sponsor totals will be reflected in your team totals and our event total.
How do I get a pledge form?
Once you register you can log-in to your personal ride page and have a pledge-form emailed immediately. You’ll find it on the left.
Can I accept cheques?
Yes, have them made out to “Ride for Refugees” with your name or team on memo line if possible. These can be brought with any cash and your pledge form ready for registration on ride day.
Does the ride accept US Donors?
Anyone can give with a valid credit card, but this year, only Canadian donors will receive an eligible charitable receipt.
How do I add pledges, cash and cheques so they show up in my fund-raising total and thermometer?
Sign in to your personal ride page and click on “Manage Cash and Cheques”, then fill in the form below including where possible the email of the donor as well as the amount of pledge, cash or cheque and click on “Add Donation”.
What is a Matching Fund Grant?
The Ride Team has received large donations from major donors to the “Matching Grant Fund Pool” of the Ride for Refugees, (The RIDE), which is then offered as incentive to riders raising money and pledges for The RIDE. If a registered RIDE participant receives a gift of $500 or more, (under certain restrictions) that amount will be matched out of the Matching Grant Fund Pool effectively doubling the size of the donation from $500 to $1000. More info can be found here...
How is the Matching Fund Grant invoked?
Log-in to your personal ride page and click on “Manage Cash and Cheques” Then read the instructions on adding a matching fund grant and fill in the form below carefully. If you have any questions email brian@rideforrefugees.com
I am having trouble setting up my username and password.
Make sure the username and password you are use do not contain any spaces. For example, if you are using your full name as your username, enter it as 'firstnamelastname' with no spaces.
What Do I Do with Post-RIDE Cheques and Cash?
Any U.S. or Canadian cheques that come in to you (late sponsors, or people still owing you money) that are payable to RIDE for Refugees or International Teams, please mail to:
International Teams
1 Union St.
Elmira, Ontario
N3B 3J9
attn: Janelle/The RIDE
If you receive cash or cheques made payable to YOU, please go onto your Personal Fundraising Page, under "Manage Cash and Cheques" and enter in the donor information there. You then have one of two choices:
- Pay the donations online with your credit card and keep the cash/personal cheques. By doing so - you deem your donations "complete" and nothing else needs to be done, or sent to us. OR...
- Bank the cash and personal cheques and mail us a cheque from YOU, payable to RIDE for Refugees, in the amount of your total funds received. Mail to address above with your completed pledge form.
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