FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General

All routes take place on Sunday, September 26, 2021. Walkers, runners and bikers participating remotely and/or virtually in The Ride’s Global Program can complete their route between Sunday, September 26-Sunday, October 10, 2021.

Yes! We encourage our riders and donors to use Ride logos in their emails, social posts, fliers and custom gear. Please see our resources on our Fundraising Tips and Ideas page. We also include Marketing Tools for ways to improve your fundraising campaign.

Wednesday, September 22, 2021
UW Campus
10:00 AM-6:00 PM

Saturday, September 25, 2021
UW Health at The American Center
9:00 AM-3:00 PM

Sunday, September 26, 2021
American Family Insurance HQ (BIKE ONLY)
6:00 AM-2:00 PM

UW Health at The American Center (RUN/WALK ONLY)
9:00-11:00 PM

Absolutely! We encourage all riders to create custom jerseys, shirts or any other swag! If you need recommendations on vendors or want to know who we use, please contact us at hello@therideuw.org.

An automatic email will be sent no later than Monday end of day that will include a link to all course photos. Due to the format of this year’s event, a photographer will be on course from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM only.

Please note: This email will come from Focal Flame Photography (not The Ride) and may be in your spam or clutter folder.

Registration

Yes, you can transfer your registration until Monday, September 6. Please contact hello@therideuw.org with your information and email address for the person you’re transferring to. They will then be sent a transfer link.

Yes, you are able to change your route at any time by logging in to your registration or contacting hello@therideuw.org. Please note that the fees differ between routes/distances.

 

Participants are allowed to change routes/distances up until the day of. If changing routes/distance day-of, please arrive at your new route time and follow that route’s arrows.

Although there are no age requirements, The Ride suggests that participants under the age of 18 be accompanied by an adult.

The Ride provides a 5K bike and 5K Run/Walk route catered to participants of all ages.

 

 

While we do not require participants to fundraise a minimum amount, we do stress that The Ride is a fundraising event with a mission of advancing cancer research at UW-Madison. We provide many resources for all fundraising ambitions on our Fundraising Tips and Ideas page to help encourage all participants to share their involvement and gain support.

 

Every single dollar raised helps fund vital research and treatment programs that benefit our patients and their families. Most of our riders raise money in small, attainable increments and our fundraising toolkit can help get you started.

 

  • Long sleeve participant shirt
  • Participant medal
  • Bottled water and pre-packaged food at rest stops

Registration is non-refundable but can be transferred. Please contact hello@therideuw.org if you wish to transfer your registration. If you cancel, any dollars you have already raised will still go to our fundraising goal and mission.

 

Registration is also non-refundable in the event that The Ride has to be canceled due to natural Force Majeure events.

First, register as an individual. When you come to the fourth page of registration (fundraising page) you will have the option to start a team. Pick a name and ask all of your friends, family and neighbors to join!

 

Everyone on your team does not have to register for the same route or discipline.

Log in to your account and under your Profile, click on “Upcoming Events” and then select on “Manage Registration” and that will take you to your Ride registration page. On the top toolbar (gray), select “Fundraiser” and you’ll be taken to your individual fundraising page. Scroll down to “Join a Team Fundraiser” and select the dropdown and find your team. Make sure to save your change and you’re all set!

 

You can also email us at hello@therideuw.org with the name of the team you’d like to join and we can add you at any time!

On the first page of the registration page, there is an “Add Another Registrant” button after the course options. Use this as many times as you need and this will allow you to register everyone at the same time and make one payment.

 

Please note: The registration page requires you to select who you are registering (Myself, Friend 18+ or Minor) so be sure to click these buttons for each new registrant.

When logging in to your profile, Please click the “Forgot Password” link when you try to sign in.

Online registration is open through the day-of and we also have registration during all packet-pick up times.

 

If you sign-up online, your registration is recorded in our system within minutes so feel free to sign up and come to packet pick-up right away because we’ll have your information!

 

Please note: To guarantee your finisher shirt and medal, riders need to register by Monday, August 23.

Bike Course

Rest stops are located throughout the multiple bike routes to appropriately assist participants with nutrition and relief. The bike courses contain rest stops approximately every 10-15 miles and include:

  • Food and Beverage (water and electrolyte water)
  • Bathrooms
  • Medical support provided by licensed staff
  • Mechanic bike support provided by trained professionals

Bike Rest Stop Mile Markers:

  • 100-Mile: 8, 16, 28, 45, 59, 77, 92
  • 100K: 8, 16, 28, 45, 54
  • 50K: 8, 15, 25
  • 25K: 8

We have five different routes with staggered start times (see below). To view course maps, please visit the Bike page.

  • 100 Mile: 7:00 AM
  • 100K: 9:00 AM
  • 50K: 10:00 AM
  • 25K: 11:00 AM
  • 5K: 2:00 PM

If you are concerned about timing and would like to start your ride earlier than the route start, you are more than welcome, but please note that you may not have police and course marshal support at intersections and will need to follow all rules of the road.

All routes except for the 5K bike participant on open roads.

 

All rules of the road apply to bikes so please obey all traffic laws. Standard rules of the road:

  • Use proper cycling terms such as “On your left” when communicating with your fellow riders and announce upcoming hazards.
  • Use proper hand signals when turning.
  • Ride as far to the right as possible and pass on the left.
  • Ride no more than two riders wide.
  • Be aware of intersections and all cross-traffic.
  • Move off the road if you need to stop or get off your bike for any reason.
  • Ensure the road is clear when entering back on to the road after stopping.

Helmets must be worn by all participants.

All bikers should finish by 6:00 PM.

 

Please note that all 100-Mile bikers must reach the 100-Mile/100K split at Deerfield Rd and South Jargo road by 12:00 PM. Any 100-Mile bikers not making the 12:00 PM cut-off will be routed to the 100K route. Cut-off is located between miles 48 and 49.

 

If you are concerned about your finish time and would like to start early or start with the course prior to yours, please do so!

We provide on-course support in the form of Support and Gear (SAG) vehicles. If you need assistance on-course at any time and do not see one of our vehicles, please call 608.316.5755. This number is for our on-site dispatcher who will radio our staff to provide support.

 

Our SAG vans will roam each course and have supplies to assist in fixing your bike. Each rest stop will also have a mechanic who can assist you. Please note that the support and gear volunteers may fix your bike on-course or they may transport you and your bike to a rest stop in order to provide assistance to other riders to ensure everyone gets up and running as soon as possible.

We allow bikes of all types including recumbent bikes and handcycles in addition to bikes with bicycle trailers and child bike seats. E-bikes are also allowed.

 

Please be aware that our courses are on roads with regular vehicle traffic so we do ask that you are comfortable riding with your type of bike and any attachments. Please ensure that your bike is in working order. We do have on-site and on-course mechanics but they are only able to fix minor issues.

 

Unfortunately, we do not rent bikes day-of but please visit one of the area’s local bikes shops and inquire about bike rental.

If you cannot finish for any reason, there will be on-course transport vehicles that will return you and your bike back to The Ride site. If a SAG van picks you up, they may transport you to the nearest rest stop or back to site. Riders are more than welcome to have a personal contact pick them up.

If you have an emergency or see an emergency on-course, please call 911.

 

Support and gear vehicles are on all courses and can provide non-emergency services. There will also be licensed medical personnel at each rest stop.

 

If you are involved in an emergency situation and need to be taken to the hospital, the medical staff will relay your information to our on-site dispatcher in order to communicate with your emergency contact and your bike will be brought back to The Ride site.

Run/Walk Course

Rest stops are located approximately every mile. Support and services at each rest stop include:

  • Food and Beverage (water and electrolyte water)
  • Bathrooms

To view course maps, please visit the Run/Walk page

Half Marathon: 10:30 AM

 

5K Run/Walk: 11:00 AM
5K Runners and walkers will start at the same time with runners lining up in the front.  

Half Marathon: County roads (Portage and Rattman) will be closed to vehicle traffic. City streets will be open to cross-traffic but a running lane will be blocked off. All intersections will be supported by police.

5K Run/Walk: Course takes place on a four lane road so one full lane will be blocked for runners and walkers. Cars will be able to pass in the full left lane.

If you cannot finish for any reason, please call 608.316.5755 or let a volunteer at the nearest rest stop know. A transport vehicle will take you back to the finish at American Family Headquarters.

If you have an emergency or see an emergency on-course, please call 911.

For non-emergency medical needs, call 608.316.5755 or go the the nearest rest stop.

If you are involved in an emergency situation and need to be taken to the hospital, the medical staff will relay your information to our on-site dispatcher in order to communicate with your emergency contact.

 

 

All runners and walkers should finish by 2:15 PM which is a 16-minute per mile pace.

Fundraising/Donations

Along with your check, please include:

  • First and Last Name of participant(s) in which you are donating
  • Your email address if you would like an email confirmation

Make your check out to: University of Wisconsin Foundation

 

Mail your check to:

The Ride
1111 Highland Ave.
WIMR 3157
Madison, WI 53705

Yes! The University of Wisconsin Foundation will send a letter after The Ride stating your donation for tax purposes.

Yes both via email and mail. For any transaction made through our online system, you will receive an email immediately following your transaction. This email will come from GiveSignUp so check your spam or clutter if you do not see this email.

 

The University of Wisconsin Foundation will send letters to all donors after The Ride to the address provided at the time of donation.

Yes, on our website, on the upper right-hand corner, hit Donate. When you scroll down you have the option to search for an individual or team. Select your chosen individual or team and you can then donate.

 

If donating via check, please put the participant’s name or the team name in the memo.

100% of all funds raised are used by researchers at the University of Wisconsin to advance cancer research and to serve cancer patients and their families in Wisconsin and beyond.

 

We ensure that every single dollar raised goes to fund research, NOT operational or administrative costs as these costs are covered by our generous sponsors. Dollars raised are used immediately by our researchers and you can learn more about how they’re using Ride funds for innovative research on our Scholars page.

We encourage teams to raise money however they would like! Each rider has their own fundraising page that can accept donations. If an individual is part of a team and has their account linked to that team page, any funds collected on their individual page are also added to the team total.

 

Please note: If a donation is made to the team page that donation will not be credited to any individual rider.

Company matching is a fantastic way to make your fundraising dollars go further! Below is the information most companies need to match and we are happy to provide any documentation of your fundraising and/or registration. If you need any other information for company matching, please contact hello@theridewi.org.

 

EIN: 39-0743975

Account Reference: 12580049

Fundraising incentives deadline: September 1st at 11:59 p.m
All participants who have accomplished a fundraising threshold by the deadline will be awarded their incentive item(s) at packet pick-up during the week of The Ride.

 

General fundraising close: November 1st

Volunteers

You will receive an automatic confirmation email after signing up. After signing up, your captain will be in contact with you at least two weeks prior to the event with the details of your shift.

Yes, but we ask that any changes or cancellations be made by August 17 to our Volunteer Coordinator. After August 17, we cannot guarantee changes.

We will provide you with a t-shirt to wear for the day, but please wear comfortable shoes and clothes that are appropriate for the day’s weather.

 

On Sunday, we have a gear check and changing tent that is available to all our volunteers.

We will provide food for our volunteers as a thank you. If you have specific food allergies or will be out on the course, please feel free to pack snacks and water. Course volunteers are more than welcome to grab a snack or food at the main Ride site prior to or after your shift.

14+ without parental or guardian supervision. Anyone under 14 can volunteer with adult supervision.

 

Please note: Certain volunteer tasks require specific age minimums even with adult supervision for legal and safety purposes.

We ask that volunteers sign-up by September 1 so we can best plan for each area to ensure a successful event. After September 1, please email our Volunteer Coordinator directly.

If your group wants to sign up for different tasks and areas, please feel free to send them directly to the online registration page. If your group would like to stay together and volunteer for the same task, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator.

Made Possible By Our Generous Sponsors

American Family Insurance
Badgerland Disposal
The Bike Mobile
Budget Bicycle Center
Capital Brewery
Clasen's European Bakery
Clements Wright Vision Care
Cronometro
Just Coffee
Machinery Row Bicycles
Marcus Theatres
Monk's Bar and Grill
NBC 15
Pepsi
Princeton Club
Sassy Cow Creamery
Shine United
Sunseed Research
UW Provision
Wheel & Sprocket
Zimbrick