Riders' Frequently Asked Questions
Thanks to the many questions from our participants, we have hopefully assembled all the information there is to know about our Bike MS: Waves to Wine Ride event.
Top 7 Questions
Q: Where does the event start?
A: NEW LOCATION FOR 2009! Saturday’s 75- and 100-mile routes depart from the UCSF Mission Bay Campus in San Francisco, at 1300 4th Street (at 16th Street).
The 40-mile route will depart from the same location as 2008, at Sonoma Mountain Village, 1400 Valley House Drive, Rohnert Park, CA. Both Sunday routes depart from Sonoma Mountain Village.
Driving directions are available here.
Q: How do I get to the start line and where do I park?
A: All riders are responsible for getting to the ride start locations, either at the UCSF campus in San Francisco or at Sonoma Mountain Village in Rohnert Park. Free parking is available at both locations. Driving directions are available here.
Q:: What happens if I don’t meet the pre-event fundraising deadline?
A: In order to pick up their packet, all riders must EITHER fulfill their $350 minimum by the day of the event OR fill out a Promise to Pay form. Riders who sign the Promise to Pay form will be responsible for turning in (or paying) the National MS Society the difference between the $350 minimum and any contributions already credited to their rider account by October 16, 2009.
This fundraising minimum is in addition to the registration fee paid at the time of registration and applies to all riders, regardless of age. You will not be able to pick up your rider packet until the minimum is met or you have signed the Promise to Pay form. Please contact our office if you have any questions: (415) 230-6678 or info@wavestowine.org.
Q: I’d like to change my route mileage preference. What should I do?
A: Please contact our office or email eduard.caumeran@nmss.org. Send your name, route preference, and phone number, and we will note the change.
Q: What if I can’t finish the route?
A: SAG wagons & Moto Safety will be roaming the course and stationed at rest stops to help those in need and can be identified by placards placed on their vehicle or motorcycle. SAG Wagons will include space to transport you and your bike to the finish or to the next rest stop. To signal SAG vehicles drivers, follow these three steps:
- Move off the road and out of the path of other riders
- Dismount and stand near your bike
- Take off your helmet and wave at the SAG vehicle. Be aware that some official vehicles on the route are medical, staff, or communications vehicles and are not equipped to carry riders. At peak hours, SAG vehicles may be full. Please have patience; another SAG vehicle will be by soon.
Q: How is my luggage transported during the event weekend?
A: Luggage and camping equipment will be transported to and from each event venue. All luggage must be tagged with your luggage tag/rider number (found in your rider packet).
On Saturday and Sunday mornings, please drop off your marked bags in the designated area near the luggage trucks; it will be transported to that day’s finish line and will be available once you arrive. On Sunday afternoon, please take your luggage with you on the bus back to your respective start line.
Q: How can I ensure that my bike is at my start location when I arrive?
A: After crossing the finish line on Sunday, please check in your bike immediately to be loaded onto a truck for transport. Bike transportation takes about 2 hours from loading at Lake Sonoma to arrival in San Francisco / Sonoma Mountain Village. We thank you for your patience as our volunteers and staff work to transport your bike carefully and quickly.Logistics (time and locations)
Q: Where are the start, overnight and finish locations?
A: The start will begin in the quad of UCSF Mission Bay on Owens Street in San Francisco. Top teams will start at 7:00 a.m.; the general start will open a 7:15 am on Saturday. The overnight location is Sonoma Mountain Village, Rohnert Park, CA. The finish line location is at Lake Sonoma.
Q: When and where will registration/packet pickup be held?
A: If you are a team of more than 50 people, we will host a packet pickup for your team, within the 3 weeks prior to the event. If you are an individual, we will have packet pickups as scheduled below.
Q: Is there a deadline for online registrations? If so, what will be the cut-off time for day of event registration?
A: The deadline for online registrations is Thursday 9/10 (registration closesmidnight on 9/11). You can also register on site up until the day of the ride, however, registration the week of the ride is $415 (the registration fee plus the minimum pledge).
Q: Where will parking be located and is there a cost?
A: Parking is available for free at the UCSF lot at the corner of 16th Street and 3rd Street. This year the ride will begin later so people can take BART. Parking is limited so please arrive early to secure a spot. Note that parking is only available over the weekend and cars need to be out of the UCSF parking lot Sunday night.
Q: Are non-riding family and friends encouraged to participate in the weekend's festivities?
A: OF COURSE! There are a number of opportunities for you and your family/friends to enjoy the ride together. As you know, volunteers are an integral part of the success of Bike MS: Waves to Wine Ride 2009, so if they are willing, that is a great way to get other people involved. Please visit the Volunteer section of the website for job descriptions and to register. Additionally, we invite your family and friends to join you at the overnight and at the finish line for the festivities. We will have activities and ample parking at both locations for your family and friends.
Q: Can I ride in Bike MS: Waves to Wine if I am under 18?
A: Yes, the minimum age requirement is 12 years old. If you are between 12 and 18, however, you will need to provide a notarized waiver prior to your participation in the bike event. Underage waivers can be (Updated doc coming soon) 2009 Bike Waiver - minors.
Q: I am coming from out of town and would like to rent a bike in San Francisco. Do you have any suggestions?
A: Yes, please visit www.baycitybike.com to find out information about renting a bike for Bike MS: Waves to Wine.
Q: What is the minimum donation required?
A: All riders (team captains, team members and individual riders) are required to raise a minimum of $350 in donations, not including your registration fee. The average rider raises $845, so set your goals high! You have until the pledge deadline of October 5, 2009 to turn your donations in to our office to have them counted towards your pledge total for prize incentives and recognition in the wrap-up newsletter. The pledge deadline is approximately five weeks after the event.
Q: Do matching gifts count?
A: Employer matching gifts are a great way to double your fundraising! For detailed information about matching gifts, please refer to our Matching Gifts FAQ.
Q: How do I turn in donations made by cash or check?
A: Mail or drop off your donations* at the chapter office:
Bike MS: Waves to Wine Ride 2009
National MS Society
1700 Owens St., Suite 190
San Francisco, CA 94158
*Checks should be made out to the National MS Society. Please put your full name and team name (if applicable) in the memo line of the check.
Q: What if my donors need a receipt?
A: All people who make an online donation via our website will receive an email confirmation that can be used for tax purposes. People who send checks valued $100 or more will receive a thank you letter by mail that can be used for tax purposes. If you have a donor who needs a receipt, please let us know and we will be happy to provide them one. If you are turning in donations within 2 weeks before or after the event, please let us know if one of your donors needs a receipt and we will make sure they get it.
Q: Where can I obtain a pledge form to have a hand written record of my pledges?
A: We have a pledge form available for download.
Q: Why form a team?
A: It only takes one person to inspire hundreds - that’s the idea behind Teaming Up. Forming a team brings together your family, friends and co-workers for a weekend of fun, fitness and entertainment. If you need additional information about teams, or want a representative from the National MS Society to come talk to your group, company or organization, please contact Erin Nasca, erin.nasca@nmss.org or Sam McIlraith.
Q: Where does the money go?
A: Your money helps fund national and local research for finding the cause and cure for multiple sclerosis, and supports programs and services offered to the 20,000 people in Northern California living with the disease.
Q: How long does it take a rider to finish in a day?
A: It all depends. The average is 8 to 16 miles per hour. Please remember though, that the Bike MS is not a race and everyone should ride at their own pace.
Accommodations
Q: We are coming in from out of town for the ride. Are there hotel blocks available to us for Friday and Saturday nights?
A: We will have room blocks reserved for Waves to Wine for Friday and Saturday nights and will post them in the Spring.
Q: What are our sleeping/lodging options for the overnight?
A: For both Riders and Volunteers, there is camping available right at the overnight location - the camping is located on flat, grassy fields. There is also room for RVs if you so choose, although, there are no hookups at this location. This option is free for all participants and volunteers and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you choose to stay in a hotel, we will have official "host hotels" that will have reserved room blocks for us in the area. If you choose to stay at a non-participating hotel, you will be responsible for your own transportation.
Q: What facilities will be made available to us at the overnight location?
A: We will have shower trucks and Port-o-Lets available to all our participants and volunteers. You will pick up your luggage at the overnight and will have your shower supplies with you to accommodate using these facilities.
Q: Will there be vegetarian options at the rest stops, lunch stops and dinners?
A: There will be plenty of options for all palettes. However, if you have very specific dietary requirements, we suggest that you bring supplemental food items with you to ensure you are properly fueled for the entire weekend.
Transportation
Q: What is the shuttling situation for the weekend?
A: There will be shuttles running from the overnight location to our host hotels all afternoon and evening. The same accommodations will be made Sunday morning to return you to the overnight location to begin Day 2 of the ride. Once again, you will need to leave your bike in the SECURE overnight bike corral if taking the shuttles - we will not shuttle bikes. Finally, on Sunday, at the finish line, we will shuttle you, your bike and your gear back to the start line after you complete the ride.
Q: I am only planning to do one day of the ride. Will there be shuttles available to me to return to my car after I am done riding?
A: Bike MS: Waves to Wine is a 2-day ride. You are welcome to ride only one day, but will be responsible for your own transportation back to your car after you complete the ride.
Route Details
Q: Will there be shorter route options for participants?
A: We are offering a 40 mile route on Day 1 and a 50 mile route on Day 2.
Q: Will there be SAG support?
A: Yes. We will have SAG vehicles circling the route all day both days to assist with technical difficulties (i.e. flat tires), transport you to a mechanic station if the issue is more technical, or to ensure your safe return to the finish line each day.
Q: How far apart are the rest stops?
A: We aim to have rest stops every 12 to 15 miles along the route. We will clearly state the distance from one stop to the next so that you can properly prepare for the road ahead.
Gear and Packing Suggestions
Q: What do I need to bring with me to Bike MS: Waves to Wine?
A: Suggested Gear List:
- Riding Gear: Bike, Helmet, extra tubes, tire pump/CO2 cartridges, Shorts, Jerseys, Socks, etc for both days
- Personal Fuel: gels, bars, energy drinks
- Lounging Gear: Comfy clothes and shoes, along with shower items (towel, soap, shampoo, etc) - we will have shower trucks at the overnight
- Camping Gear: (if you choose this option) - Tent, Sleeping Bag, Sleeping Pad, Pillow, etc.
Q: Do I need to do anything special to prepare my bike for this ride?
A: We would suggest a tune up just prior to the ride to make sure that everything is in good working order. While training for the ride, you will have put lots of miles on your bike, so it will deserve a little TLC to make sure it is ready for Bike MS: Waves to Wine.
General
Q: I forgot my Username and Password.
A: Remember that your username and password are case sensitive. Click here to find your password. You will receive an e-mail with your username and password. If you still have problems, please contact our office for help.
Q: How do I change my Username and/or Password?
A: First, login to the site using your username and password. Once logged in you will see a link at the top of the page called "Update My Profile." Once in your profile, you will be able to change your contact information, e-mail address, username and password. All changes will be made to your account immediately. There is no need to sign in again.
Q: How do I unsubscribe from e-mail?
A: Towards the bottom of each e-mail message you will see a link stating, "Click Here to Unsubscribe from this E-mail Message." Click this link and follow the instructions given to unsubscribe.
About My Participant Center
Q: What is a Personal Page?
A: A personal page is an online promotional tool for your use when asking your friends and family to join your team or sponsor you by making a donation. Once you sign up for an event online, by default, you will have a personal page created for you. You have the option of personalizing this page by going to your Participant Center. You will be able to customize images, text and the style/color layout of the page.
Q: By default I have a personal page, do I have to change it?
A: Once you sign up for an event online, by default, you will have a personal page created for you. A compelling personal page attracts and engages supporters. While you can spread the word using customized e-mail solicitations, your personal campaign page can be your own creative expression of your commitment to the mission of the National MS Society. Customize your page by selecting the layout and style that work best for you. Utilize the elements of text, photo and status indicators to their fullest advantage.
Q: How do I change my personal fundraising goal?
A: First, you will need to login to your Participant Center. On the bottom right side of the Participant Center home page is the location to modify your personal fundraising goal. Enter your new goal and submit the changes.
Q: How do I change my team name, team division or team goal?
A: Only the team captain has the ability to change the team name or team division. The team captain will need to login to his/her Participant Center and click the "My Team Progress" button on the top right. On the Team Progress page, team captains will have the ability to update the team name, division and goal.
Q: How can I see who has donated to me?
A: Login to the site using your Username and Password. Go to your Participant Center and click the "My Progress" tab; this will allow you to view your donor list and any amounts having been donated so far.
Q: How can I see who is on my team?
A: Login to the site using your Username and Password. Go to your Participant Center and click the "Team Progress" tab; this will allow you to view your team roster and the amounts raised by each team member.
Q: What is a team message?
A: Simply go to your Participant Center and click the "Update Message to Team" button. This will allow you to make all necessary changes to your team message. Be sure to send an email to your team members to let them know.
Q: What is the difference between making my personal page private or public?
A: By default, a personal page is Public, meaning your name will appear in the participant search list, and anyone accessing the site will be able to support you. Setting your personal page to Private means your name will not appear in the participant search list, and only people you personally invite will be able to support you.
Q: How can I see who has donated to me?
A: Login to the site using your username and password. Go to your Participant Center and click the My Progress tab; this will allow you to view your donor list and any amounts having been donated.
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