About the Ride . . . (Updates)
The official
"GTE Big
Ride Across America"
web site is
here.Here are some useful phone
numbers and
address:
GTE Big Ride Across America
Pledge Office
American Lung Association
6170 Central Avenue, Ste. A
St. Petersburg, FL 33707
888.306.2453
813.344.7426 Fax
Ride Office
800.BIG.RIDE
213.769.8200
213.769.8211 Fax
11/28 UPDATE: "Commonly Asked Questions"
and answers from
the latest issue
of "The Wheelie
Big News," the
official newsletter
of the GTE Big Ride.
Q: When will we know
what the route is?
Because this is the
first year of the
event, we are currently
route scouting to
locate campsites, get
necessary permitting,
secure pit stop
locations, obtain
authorization from
transportation officials,
etc.. Until we have
obtained the necessary
approvals and permits,
we will not be publishing
route information. We
expect to complete the
route by March or April
of '98, at which time
we will provide a list
of campsites to all
Riders. Because the
actual route could be
altered up until June
the official Route Map
will be distributed
in your Rider packet
at Day Zero.
Q: What happens if
there are less than
1000 registered riders?
Of course we are doing
everything possible to
meet our goal of 1000
Riders through our
extensive promotions and
recruitment program. We
already have 700+ registered
participants and we're
confident about meeting
our goal. Ride logistical
planning is on schedule.
Rider services is busy
supporting Riders. If for
any reason we do not
meet out Rider goal, the
Ride will happen!
Q: Can Riders receive
or purchase additional
brochures, posters, or
flyers?
Unfortunately, we do not
have bundles of marketing
brochures available. In
order to reduce costs, we
recommend that you use the
brochure you received in
your information packet.
(Some riders have laminated
them for preservation and
presentation!) We will be
happy to send you a poster
(flat pack) if you request.
Again, call
your Rider Rep..
Q: How many days off
are scheduled and where
will they be?
There will be between
5 and 8 days off, known
as "off-days." These are
days we do not ride. While
you will be allowed to
check out your bike
from bike parking, you
will not be able to
ride to the next day's
campsite, since no
facilities or services
will be set up there.
We cannot give you the
camps for off-days until
the route has been finalized.
Q: Can I use the GTE
Big Ride logo for my
own fundraising use?
The GTE Rig Ride logo is
a registered trademark and
may be used only with
permission from the Ride
Office. You are free to
use it if you contact
us and let us know what
you will be using it for
and you follow our simple
guidelines. We will also
need to approve in writing
all usage of the logo. We
can provide you with a
logo stat or a copy on
disk. (You will be
responsible for all costs
involved.
Q: If I have medication
that needs special treatment
or refrigeration, can this
be taken care of?
We will be limited in our
ability to provide for
special needs; however, we
will do the best we can
to accommodate you. The best
thing to do is to notify
your Rider Rep immediately
about such needs. We will
then determine what we are
able to do on the Ride,
based on our logistical
resources. We will do
everything we can to
provide for refrigeration
space for medication, but
we cannot guarantee we
can provide for all needs.
11/07 UPDATE: I attended
a recent orientation/recruiting
meeting at the Los
Angeles American Lung
Assoc. office. If you
get a chance to attend
one of these don't
miss it! It was
tremendously inspiring
and informative; I was
ready to register all
over again. Here are some particulars:
THE ROUTE: Although still
"tentative" it goes
something like this:
WA: Bellevue - Cle Elum/Roslyn -
Yakima - Benton City - Dayton
- Pomeroy - Clarkson
IA: Orofino - Kamiah
MT: Missoula - Helena -
White Sulphur - Billings
WY: Sheridan - Newcastle
SD: straight through the
middle, West to East,
then, Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Illinois, Indiana,
Ohio, Pennslyvania and Maryland.
The organizers reserve the
right to change the route on
a daily basis but the location
of each day's campgrounds is
'written in stone.' We ride,
rain or shine.
As far as distances:
most days will be 80 - 85 miles,
there will be 3 -4 100+ mile
days, one 50 mile day, and 5
rest days. Rest days will be
evenly spaced.
Palotta Teamworks, the
organizers of the
ride (and the
popular and highly
successful AIDS rides)
have done three
similar trans US
fundraisers for the ALA,
the "Trans
America Trek."
I will continue
to update this
as news arrives. Your
questions and suggestions
(and corrections?) are
welcome.
back to the TOP
CLICK HERE to print a pledge form. Or call,
626.791.2525. Or email your postal address or fax number to me by clicking here.