First time rider? Or maybe you are a veteran but want a few tips before the ride. Here are some tips to remember as you (begin to) train…
- Basic set of signaling and etiquette. (Good to know for all levels)
- Basic fueling and eating. (This ends up being one of the big downfalls for all riders.)
- Training Information & Schedule. (If you haven’t started yet, take a look at the suggested schedule.)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- How do I register for the Cape Cod Getaway Ride?
- When do I need to register?
- Who is Liam Kennedy?
- What do I need to pack?
- How should I prepare physically for the ride?
- What should I expect on the ride? How hard is 150 miles in two days?
- What should I expect to do once I reach Bourne on the first day?
- Where do we sleep?
- Where can I get a bike if I don’t have one?
- How do we get home from Provincetown? Should I take the ferry?
- How long does the ride take each day?
- What time do we depart each day?
- Where does the money raised during the weekend go?
- How do I get a LLC jersey?
- If I don’t want to ride, how else can I help the team and MS fundraising?
- Do I need to bring food or drinks? Cash?
- Do we ride together as a team?
- Is this a race?
- What is fundraising like?
- What are the top 5 things I need to know about the ride and team LLC?
- How do I register for the Cape Cod Getaway Ride? Visit the Liam’s Lucky Charms team page. Scroll down to “Liam’s Lucky Charms” (team captain Liam Kennedy) and select “Join Team.” Select what type of accommodations you need, as well as whether you will be riding the ferry (most of our team chooses “Cyclist, Bring Own Tent, Ferry”- $75). Follow the rest of the registration details, including any personal donation you would like to make towards your goal, as well as your own personal fundraising goal (this helps you to push for more donations). During the registration process, make sure to choose the route “Sat 75 miles, Sun 75 miles.” Follow the rest of the instructions to complete the registration and confirm information before completing.
- When do I need to register? As soon as possible. As our team continues to grow (we started with 24 riders in year 1 and expect over 100 riders in 2011!), it is important for us to coordinate the team at an early date. That includes disseminating information about our team fundraisers, group rides, volunteer needs, social gatherings, jersey orders and t-shirts. Also, the ferry ride
fills up fast and we hope everyone who wants to join the party gets a spot.
- Who is Liam Kennedy? Liam is a friend, a brother, a husband and father, a co-worker, a teammate, a mentor, and an MS survivor. In February of 2008, Liam was diagnosed with MS. True to his character, he decided to attack the disease with the same energy and commitment he has tackled everything in his life. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Liam has dedicated himself and his life to fighting his affliction, creating awareness for MS, assisting in the search for a cure and living every day to his fullest. He has been one of the top fundraisers for this annual event and was selected in 2009 to speak to all of the riders prior to the start of the Cape Cod Getaway. He continues to be an inspiration to us all during the ride (just try to keep up with him on a bike) and example of what living is all about.
Liam, his sister Aisling and their brother Colm also ride in honor of their beloved father, Bob Kennedy. Bob passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease in October 2009. Bob was a great friend to many of us on the team and one of our biggest fans the first year we completed the Cape Cod Getaway. No one will ever forget his smiling face as we pulled into a rest stop in Plymouth. It gave all of us the push we needed to
complete that first day.
- What do I need to pack? Pack lightly. Almost everything you will need during the weekend is taken care of by the ride organizers. There is a lot of information on the MS Ride website as to what to pack but some things NOT to forget:
- A good pair of bike shorts. Do not skimp on this expense. We usually wear our bike jerseys both days. Although they don’t smell great on day 2, it’s nothing a little air drying Cape Cod can’t handle.
- Body glide. If you don’t know what it is, do some research. A life saver.
- A spare bike tube. Although you don’t need to know how to change a flat tire, you are expected to have at least one replacement tube. Any questions about why this is important, ask Ken Boggis about his first year doing the ride.
- Sleeping linens if you are staying in the dorms, a tent and sleeping bag if you are camping and your own towel. We have had a couple clowns who shared a wet towel as a blanket.
- Two changes of clothing. One for after the first day in Bourne, one for the finish in Provincetown. It’s no beauty pageant.
- Rain gear and warm clothing. We have been lucky during the ride the last 3 years that it has not rained, but it did pour at Mass Maritime last summer and we had a cold and windy ride home on the ferry another year. Be prepared and watch the weather leading up to the weekend. There is no such thing as bad weather…only bad gear! You can’t wear things you don’t bring.
- Sunglasses.
- Toiletries: Deodorant, BODY GLIDE, soap and shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush.
- Comfortable shoes to change in to. Your feet and body will thank you!
- How should I prepare physically for the ride? Fitness and bike fitness are two different things. It definitely helps to be in decent physical shape (yes, I know that round is a shape), but more important is spending some time “on the saddle.” Condition your body to get accustomed to sitting on a hard, uncomfortable bike seat and in the biking position. Although the legs do get tired and sore, it is nothing compared to the uncomfortable feeling of the bike seat and stiff back if you haven’t spent any time on a bike (either in a spin class or doing real training rides).
- What should I expect on the ride? How hard is 150 miles in two days? Everyone can do this ride. Yes, it is a mental and physical challenge. However, it is nothing compared to what people afflicted with MS face every day. We have had numerous riders on our team that didn’t think they could complete the two-day ride that have finished on Sunday with a huge smile on their face and incredible feeling of accomplishment. There are rest stops nearly every 12 miles and the challenge is completed at your own pace. The accomplishment is well worth the aches and pains.
- What should I expect to do once I reach Bourne on the first day? Your bags, tents and gear will meet you in Bourne. You will be directed to the bike coral to leave your bike for the night (a plastic bag will help keep your seat dry in case of rain). You will then be directed to where to pick up your bags and gear. Take a shower in the dorms, set up your tent, than enjoy some much needed R&R. Great food, an abundance of water and liquids, a beer truck, plenty of places to sit and chill. Team LLC should also have our own tent to gather in. Also, SIGN UP FOR A FREE MASSAGE. Don’t miss the chance to get your sore muscles worked on by a great staff of massage therapists. Just follow the signs.
- Where do we sleep? You have the option of tent camping, staying in the dorms or getting a hotel nearby. Most of our team tent camps on the Mass Maritime campus. You are literally sleeping within feet of the Cape Cod Canal and Buzzards Bay. It’s spectacular. However, if camping isn’t for you, the dorms are a good option. We have heard from team members that they can get quite hot, but it might be a better option than a hotel (I know that sounds crazy). Reason being is nearly everyone starts to leave from Bourne around 5am. It is quite helpful from a motivation standpoint to leave with everyone else from the team and ride.
- Where can I get a bike if I don’t have one? Your best bet is to rent a bike from a local shop for the weekend. There are several shops in the Boston area that are sponsors of the MS Ride and many shops will offer a discount if you tell them it is for a charity ride. Especially if you are a new rider or just getting into cycling, it is better to rent until you decide that you enjoy the sport and the weekend. Then you can think about purchasing a bike. If you are looking to purchase a starter bike Craigslist, friends and families who are cyclists and LLC teammates are a good place to start. Also, we are working on a team deal with the Trek Store in Portsmouth, NH (www.trekportsmouth.com). Tax free and one of the top bike stores in the area.
- How do we get home from Provincetown? Should I take the ferry? There are options for the return to Quincy from Provincetown on Sunday. Ride home with family and friends who watch the finish, take the charter busses that leave hourly, or RIDE THE FERRY. Our team strongly recommends taking the ferry home as it is an incredible party and can’t miss ‘event.’ It fills up very fast so register early to ensure a spot on this party boat. Learn all about “Yellow Shirt,” the dance-offs, Dancing Queen and the Atomic Worm. However, the ferry is not recommended if you have a propensity to get sea sick (or drink too much).
- How long does the ride take each day? There is a wide range for all different levels of riders. Generally, our team finishes each leg of the ride in 5-7 hours. We depart early Saturday morning (8am) and even earlier on Sunday (around 5am). Some of the top riders on our team average approximately 20 miles/hour and take only a couple stops, others go at a slower pace and take advantage of more rest stops. It is completely up to you. Completing the ride and having fun is what is most important. Not how long it takes to finish and what you were able to get your heart rate up to. THIS IS NOT A TEAM OF “PSYCHO-LISTS.” It is a group of friendly, fun and caring individuals that do the ride to support a dear friend, a great cause and a memorable weekend. We have been deemed by ourselves and others as the Bad News Bears of Cycling.
- What time do we depart each day? On Saturday, the ride teams leave one at a time from Marina Bay in Quincy PROMPTLY at 8am. Please give yourself plenty of time to get to Marina Bay in the morning as there is only one road into the starting area, the traffic gets very bad, and parking lots fill up quickly. Plan to arrive NO LATER than 7am. There are over 2,000 riders that do the ride, plus spectators that come to watch the start. Don’t get there late as it is a panicky feeling (we’ve all been there). You will want to have time to check your luggage, get your bike checked out, use the porta-potties, get your ride jersey, and find Team LLC. We also take a large group picture (even bigger this year) before departing the first day and hope everyone can be in the photo.
On Sunday, riders begin to depart before 5am from Mass Maritime Academy in Bourne. It’s an early start and people begin getting out of their tents and packing up before that. It is a good idea to start early as the temperatures can soar in the afternoon as the day warms up. That being said, it is usually a chilly start so dress accordingly. Finally, leaving early provides plenty of time to enjoy Provincetown and get a bite to eat before boarding the ferry.
- Where does the money raised during the weekend go? Multiple sclerosis stops people from moving. We exist to make sure it doesn’t. The National MS Society uses the funds raised through Bike MS to fuel medical research and provide more services than any other organization in the world. We help local people through essential direct services that empower and increase independence, including:
- Specialized MS Clinics
- Education and Information
- Home/Vehicle Modifications
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Medical Supplies
- Home Care
- Support Groups
- Family Programs
- How do I get a LLC jersey? In order to get a Team Liam’s Lucky Charms Bike Jersey for the 2011 campaigns, you will need to get your shirt size and a check for $(TBD) to (TBD) by (TBD/TBD)/2011.
Bike jerseys are moisture wicking and more form fitting than normal t-shirts. With the purchase of your bike jersey, you will also receive a t-shirt that can also be worn on the ferry ride. Return to top - If I don’t want to ride, how else can I help the team and MS fundraising? Both our team and the MS Ride Committee are always looking for volunteers for the ride. Refer to the MS ride website for volunteer opportunities. Team LLC also needs help with several of our own initiatives like our annual fundraiser in April (set-up, prize donations and raffle items), the Cornhole Tournament in May, our Team LLC Rest Stop in Duxbury, website design and email blasts, money collection for t-shirts, fundraising ideas, etc. Contact Ally Lewis at carter.allyson@gmail.com for more information about volunteer needs for Team LLC.
- Do I need to bring food or drinks? Cash? NO. Everything that you will need for food and refreshment is provided during the ride at the rest stops and finish lines. Make sure to have a breakfast before departing on Saturday morning. Also, make sure you have at least one water bottle on your bike that is full of liquids (water and/or Gatorade) at all times. Dehydration is one of the biggest concerns during the ride. Also, make sure that you have cash on you if you plan to take the ferry. It is a cash only bar. Other than that, you don’t need any money until we get to Provincetown and you want to join teammates for lunch before boarding the ferry.
- Do we ride together as a team? Yes and no. We depart together as a team on the first day leaving Marina Bay. From that point on, you will see groups of LLC riders together, as well as riding with others. It is an extremely social event and a great opportunity to meet many different people. Ride at your own pace and you will find plenty of people to help you push through each mile. On day two, we have tried to meet up as a team at the final rest stop in Truro. It is not mandatory and we cannot wait for everyone. However, it has been a great tradition in which we finish the final 8 miles as a unified team and ride into Provincetown together lead by Liam himself. It’s a highlight to the weekend and a great way to finish the impressive accomplishment.
- Is this a race? NO! The event is not a race! You can do the ride as fast or as leisurely as you desire and are able. Remember, this is a fundraiser for Multiple Schelerosis. Enjoy each rest stop if needed or use the two day ride as a training tune-up for future rides, triathlons or Ironmans (we all know who that applies to). There are plenty of people who will be riding at whatever pace is comfortable.
- What is fundraising like? The fundraising minimum is $500/person. Although the ride itself is an impressive accomplishment, the fundraising is what Team LLC is most proud of. As one of the smallest teams the last three years, we have finished as one of the top fundraising teams! Last year alone, our team of 65 riders raised nearly $115,000!!! Our goal this year is $250,000 as we try to overtake the honor as the top fundraising team. Don’t be afraid to ask everyone and anyone for a donation. No donation is too small and people should not feel ashamed if they can only give $5. Every penny counts. There are several fundraising tools available on the MS website, as well as suggestions to help you reach your goal. Additionally, our fundraising auction is in Boston on April 21st and the Cornhole Tournament on May 21st have been huge successes.
- What are the top 5 things I need to know about the ride and team LLC?
- Purchase a good pair of high quality bike shorts. It is well worth the investment.
- This is an incredibly FUN weekend. Our team is comprised of great people, supporting a
great cause in a beautiful setting. When else can you bike the entire Cape? Or why else
would you want to?! - YOU CAN DO THIS. Although it is a physical and mental challenge, everyone is capable
of completing the ride. - Nearly everything is taken care of by the ride, its volunteers and support staff. You
literally show up in Quincy on Saturday morning with your bike, bag and camping needs
and everything else is taken care of. The transfer of your bags, the food and meals, bike
maintenance, water & fluids, route directions…everything. You just get on your bike
and ride! - Don’t miss the ferry ride back from Provincetown on Sunday. One, it’s an incredible
party. Two, it beats having to drive back and battle Cape traffic on a summer weekend.
Liam's Lucky Charms 