FAQS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

REGISTRATION QUESTIONS
1. What is the deadline for registration?
2. On-line registration did not work - what should I do?
3. Can I get a refund?
4. Can I receive my packet by mail?

 

FUNDRAISING QUESTIONS
5. What does it mean to participate in a charity ride?
6. How much money do I need to raise?
7. What makes youth development essential to the success of today’s youth?
8. Why should I raise money for SOS Outreach?
9. How do I set up a fundraising page?
10. Where can I find help and ideas to fundraise?
11. Is there help to write my fundraising letter?

 

JERSEY QUESTIONS
12. What if my jersey doesn't fit?
13. I did not get my jersey in the mail yet - what should I do?
14. What is the jersey sizing?

 

START LINE
15. Is there an official start?
16. Where can I park near the start line?

 

FINISH LINE
17. I'd like to leave a car overnight in Avon...where is the best place?
18. Is there food at the finish line?
19. I need a massage.
20. Are showers available in Avon?

 

THE COURSE
21. How much elevation do we climb on the ride?
22. Do you supply food and water on the course?
23. Do I have to wear a helmet?
24. Do I need rain gear?
25. What if I need mechanical support on the route?
26. What if I need medical attention on the route?
27. Are there SAG vehicles?
28. Are there any instructions for private SAGS?

 

GENERAL QUESTIONS
29. What about hotels in Avon and Eagle County?
30. Where does the money go?

1. Registration Deadlines and Fees (postmarked by or submitted on-line)

	Deadline	Price
Registration (no jersey) Early registration	June 24 at midnight June 24 at midnight	$65 $90
Standard registration	July 22 at 9 a.m.	$100
Ride day registration	July 23, 2010	$130

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2. On-line registration did not work
Contact Active.com for help with online registration. You can download and mail in your registration form as well. (Return to top)

3. Refunds
In true cycling tradition, the Colorado-Eagle RiverRide will take place regardless of weather; hence, no refunds. (Return to top)

 

4. Can I receive my packet by mail?

Yes, please contact us with your mailing information. Please be patient as we will be sorting through a lot of packets as well as shipping time.  (Return to top)

5. What does it mean to participatein a Charity Ride?
The Colorado-Eagle River Ride is a Charity Ride meaning the sole purpose of the event is the raise funds and awareness for acause. The cause? Investing in positive youth development through SOS Outreach.

Participating in a charity ride means you are using your athleticism and determination to raise money for and bring awareness to a cause. SOS Outreach is a unique blend of value based curriculum, a positive environment, a consistent adult mentor, spending time being active outdoors and a place where kids can have fun. Through SOS programs students make new friends, learn a new sport, gain a new understanding of the SOS Outreach core values and learn the importance of giving back to their community.
Here is a helpful article about what it means to do a charity ride and what to expect. (Return to top)

6. How much money do I need to raise?
While the Colorado-Eagle River Ride does not have a mandatory fundraising minimum, we strongly encourage riders to reach the below fundraising goals:
100 mile - $750
100k - $500
42m - $250
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7. What makes youth development essential to the success of today’s youth?

• A recent survey by the Afterschool Alliance found that in 2005/2006, three in four after school programs were full or overcrowded and 86% of the providers surveyed said that children in
  their communities who need after school programs do not have access to them.
• A lack of parental involvement and interaction with children may increase children’s future risk of violence.
• Two-thirds of juvenile detention facilities hold youth who are waiting for community mental health treatment.
• Mentoring programs are invaluable community-based efforts, linking at-risk youths with adults who serve as role models and are trained to know when to refer youths to other community resources for needs they cannot address. The length of participation can last from several months to several years. Mentoring programs save an average of $5.29 for every dollar spent.
• Every dollar invested in high quality afterschool programs saves tax payers on average $3.00, Additional saving can be realized if crime reduction is factored in.
• The Afterschool Alliance suggests: (1) quality after school programs improved school attendance, engagement in learning,test scores, and grades; (2) frequency and duration of
  after school participation increases benefits; and (3) high-risk youth show the
  greatest benefits.
• Afterschool programs can increase engagement in learning by providing middle school students with opportunities to meet needs that schools often can’t, e.g., personal attention from adults,a positive peer group, and activities that hold their interest and build their self-esteem (Vandell, et al. 1996; Garmezy, 1991; Rutter, 1987; Clark, 1987; Masten, et al. 1990; Comer, et al., 1984; Werner, 1993; Halpern, 1992; As reported in Miller, 2003).
• Child Trends reports that school engagement is on the decline. Parents report that 39% of girls and 20% of boys are engaged in school. Researchers define school engagement in three domains, behavioral, emotional and cognitive. After school programs can help youth reconnect and increase engagement in school by adapting well-established measures to help identify youth who are not engaged in school and develop services to address their needs. Programs that offer, sequenced, active, focused and explicit(SAFE) programming have been known to have positive effects on student engagement and other positive developments. [Lippman, L., &
  Rivers, A. (2008). Assessing school engagement: A guide for out-of-school time program practitioners. Washington, DC: Child Trends.]

Also see the Positive Youth Development Fact Sheet. (Return to top)

8. Why Should I fundraise for SOS Outreach?
During the 2009/2010 season, SOS will grow to serve 4,190 students in our Colorado summer programs and at 43 mountain resorts nationally. This season we will have programs in communities in 14 states and New Zealand. We are also excited to announce we just finished our first summer of programs and are now providing year-round programs for our students in Colorado. This year
we are on pace to serve youth across the country through over 20,000 program days, a 270% growth since 2006/2007. Our success is not possible without the passion and commitment from all of you,all
over the country.

To provide our programs, we need to raise $800,000 in cash and over $3 million in in-kind contributions per year. Most our budget will come through grant writing, events and individual donors but we still need your help in raising funds. Small contributions of $25 to $50 from your family, friends and SOS colleagues will allow SOS to meet our budget.

Also See The Beneficiary: SOS Outreach (Return to top)

9. Setting up a Fundraising Page
See How to Set Up Your Fundraising Page (Return to top)

10. Jerseys
See Helpful Links for Fundraising Ideas and Fundraising Tips. (Return to top)

11. Fundraising Letter
See How to Write a Fundraising Letter and Sample Fundraising Letter. (Return to top)

12. Jerseys
If your jersey does not fit, you can exchange it at walk-in registration at the start/finish line (subject to availability),or with another rider. (Return to top)

13. When do we receive jerseys?
Your jersey will be available at packet pickup on July 22 at the Beaver Creek Elk Parking Lot from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will also be available at the start/finish line on July 23 at 6 a.m. We do not offer rider packets, including jerseys, by mail. If your jersey size is no longer available, it will be shipped separately. If your jersey/ ride packet does not arrive in a timely fashion, email sos@sosoutreach.org.
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14. What is the jersey sizing?

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15. Start line
The official start time will be between 6:30 a.m. and 8:00a.m., however riders may depart at their own convenience. (Return to top)

16. Start line parking
The start line, registration and parking area will be at the Elk Beaver Creek Lot, with overflow parking at the Bear Beaver Creek Bear Lot. You may not park in either lot overnight. The Elk Beaver Creek Lot will be open at 5:00 a.m. on ride day. Please follow the instructions you receive from the parking attendants. (Return to top)

17. Parking in Avon
There is no overnight parking in the Town of Avon, or in the Beaver Creek lots. There is camping at Wolcott.(Return to top)

18. Finish Line Party
The post party will be at the Dusty Boot in Beaver Creek from noon to 5 p.m. We had a great time at the Dusty Boot last year and hope this year will be even better! (Return to top)

19. Massages

Simply Massage provides full massage services in Avon, CO. They will have massage therapists available at the finish of the ride for complimentary table massages. Please visit www.simplymassage.com for a highlight of their available services. (Return to top)

20. Showers
Showers are available for free at the Avon Recreation Center located adjacent to Nottingham Park. Towels are available for $2. Riders must present their wrist band for admittance to the showers.
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21. Route description/elevation
There are three distinct routes for your riding pleasure.Choose the 100 mile loop from the East Beaver Creek Lot and back, the 42 mile route from the East Beaver Creek Lot to Eagle and back. The elevation gain for the 100-mile route is about 3,500 feet. A more scenic 100 kilometer option is to ride the100-mile route and finish in Dotsero where shuttle busses will be available to return you and your bike to the Start/Finish line. (Return to top)

22. Aid stations
Four aid stations are strategically located along the route —all with appropriate cycling food, energy drinks, portable toilets and plenty of water. Riders must wear wrist bands (supplied with registration) to obtain food. Riders are encouraged to start before 7:30 a.m. as the aid stations will adhere to a strict schedule as outlined below. Please plan your ride accordingly:

Location	Opening time	Closing time
Beaver Creek Elk Lot(Start/Finish)	6:00 a.m.	5:30 p.m.
Wolcott Divide	7:30 a.m.	10:00 a.m.
Colorado River Road (Catamount)	9:15 a.m.	1:30 p.m.
Dotsero/I/70	9:30 a.m.	3:00 p.m.
Eagle (Mountain Pedaler)	8:00 a.m	4:00 p.m.

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23. Safety
All riders are required to wear ANSI or SNELL approved helmets, ride in accordance with State of Colorado traffic laws, ride single file, and stay to the right side of the road. Colorado
State Patrol and local officials will issue citations for failure to do so.
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24. Rain gear
Colorado weather changes quickly. Riders are encouraged to carry clothing suitable for hot and cold temperatures and wet and dry weather. (Return to top)

25. Mechanical support
Mechanical support will be provided; however, riders are encouraged to carry patch kits, spare tubes, pumps and tools. Air pumps, lube and a basic tool will be available on the route, and riders can
purchase spare tubes at the start line. (Return to top)

26. Medical support
Trained volunteers from Eagle County Ambulance will be on hand to provide medical support, but it is recommended that cyclists carry their own first aid kits and be prepared to deal with minor medical
problems. There may also be riding EMTs and ER doctors. (Return to top)

27. SAG support
Sag support is included with your entry fee. Look for the signed vehicles. Each will be prepared to transport you and your bicycle to the next aid station. From there you shall be moved onward,or
to the finish line. (Return to top)

28. Private SAGS
To ensure an optimal experience for all, the Beaver Creek Colorado-Eagle River Ride would request that all participants rely upon official vehicles for their SAG needs. The majority of the course is very lightly traveled, and thus an optimal cycling experience. The use of private SAGs simply diminishes that experience for all. Thank you for adhering to this request. If you ultimately elect to utilize a private SAG, please park in designated locations at all aid stations and to stay off the rest of
the route to the greatest extent possible. If you want to cheer on riders, the best places to do so are just before the Wolcott Gap aid station and at the start/finish line. (Return to top)

29. Staying overnight
We have secured multiple event rates from lodging properties in the area. Please request the “Colorado-Eagle River Ride” rate when booking your lodging. The Boarders Lodge (800-846-0233), The Charter at Beaver Creek (800-525-6660), The Seasons Lodge at Arrowhead(800-846-0233).
For more details about the hotels and rates  click here. (Return to top)

30. Where does the money go?
The vast majority of the registration fees go directly to cover the cost of the ride. Everything from permits to police patrols, aid station food, insurance, portable toilets, jerseys and the finish line party are covered out of registration fees. SOS Outreach pays a small but very dedicated part-time staff to manage the ride. The balance of the proceeds is distributed to SOS Outreach. (Return to top)