We know the weather outside is damp and ugly, but as of 3:50AM we are still planning to host the 2009 H2B Ride.

Check out the area weather here, at the Channel 5 WCVB/TV website. Pretty cool, huh!?

We have LOTS of experience with bad weather, and have a process to evaluate the safety of the route.  If there is any indication that the weather or route makes the ride unsafe, we will cancel.  But, for now, we believe the rain is passing.

Please report to Copley Square at 5AM, or Sagamore at 9AM, where up-to-the-minute details will be given.

Thanks!
Eric

•   If you have an accident or need emergency assistance: 

1.       Call 911 immediately

2.       Have a second person call 877-H2B-BIKE immediately, to notify our Emergency Crew

3.       If you cannot reach both 911 and 877-H2B-BIKE, flag down a SAG Vehicle or Moving Violations Motorcycle Member.  They will have radios to call for help

4.       The emergency number is printed on your ID bracelet! 

We will have medical teams at every pit stop, and roving the route!  So, if you have an accident or are injured, let us know!  Follow the protocol above, even if you’re not sure! 

The Moving Violations Motor Club will be sweeping the route, and we’ll have great crew members acting as Route Guides at the tricky intersections!  Look out for them, and they’ll look out for you! 

Thanks to AAC’s Andi Genser, we’ll have Bike Techs at all pit stops and sweeping the trail, including out beloved Jeff DelPapa!  If you have a flat, break a spoke, or your bike isn’t riding right, ask for help at any pitstop.  Or, call for help and Zipcar and our SAG Team will come to your rescue!

We’ll be sharing the Cape Cod Rail Trail with the MS Challenge Walkers.  So, be sure you ride carefully, and call out to other riders and walkers along the route. 

We’re all out to raise money for wonderful beneficiaries, so we all need to take care of one another!!    

• jetBlue is donating flight vouchers for the first 30 crew and riders who raise over $3000.  Talk about a sweet deal – a free ticket on the best airline!
  
• Power Payment Solutions has donated all of our Visa and MasterCard processing for 2008 and 2009.  Their generosity saves H2B about $10K a year in credit card fees!
  
• Club Café and Bayside Betsy’s are our founding angels again, as they have since day one of the Ride.  They make sure we homes and comfort in both Boston and Ptown. 
  
• You wouldn’t be reading this if it weren’t for ComputerSimple and SkyMedia.  ComputerSimple truly is the backbone of H2B, and their web and data services make sure we get better every year.  And, SkyMedia makes sure we look classy and professional, in every type of media
  
• United Liquors, Ciroc, and Tanqueray have donated many dollars and many great employees, to make sure the H2B Ride is a huge success.  They’re committed to our community, and to supporting our great beneficiaries. 
  
• Zipcar is hooking us up with SAG Vehicles this year!  Look for all the great Zipcars and Zipcar employees driving around, helping you out.   
  
• Shaw’s Supermarkets, AGAR Foods, and Relish PTown are ensuring you are well fed for the journey!  Shaw’s and Relish have supported us for several years, and AGAR is a new friend (who supplies the best restaurants in Boston!)
  
• The Boatslip, the Cape Inn, and the Trinity Church are welcoming us with open arms!  There are very few locations that can host such a wonderful crowd of people, and Boatslip and Trinity recognize how powerful a force you all are and want to make sure your journey is a great success
  
• Channel 5 WCVB/TV and Bay Windows have are incredibly generous in their coverage of our Ride - They give us lots of air time thanks to our beloved David Brown, and beautiful full-color ads in Boston’s best community paper. 
  
• Bread and Roses Bakery in Ogunquit, and Bruegger’s Bagels in Boston have donated tons of great food for our Ride.  There’s no better place for baked goods than Mary’s kitchen, and Bruegger’s has all the great carbs the riders need to make it to Ptown. 

There are SO many others that make this ride happen, but we wanted you to be aware of the huge commitment these sponsors have made!   Please, please, please, tell them how much you appreciate their support, and return the favor! 

Thank you, and may we all arrive safely and joyously in PTown tomorrow! 

•   If you have an accident or need emergency assistance: 

     1.  Call 911 immediately

     2.  Have a second person call 877-H2B-BIKE immediately, to notify our Emergency Crew

     3.  If you cannot reach both 911 and 877-H2B-BIKE, flag down a SAG Vehicle
          or Moving Violations Motorcycle Member.  They will have radios to call for help

     4.  The emergency number is printed on your ID bracelet! 

•   All Riders and Crew are required to watch the safety video before departing, if you haven’t done so already.  You can watch it online! 

     1.  Sign in to your account at www.HarbortotheBay.org

     2.  On the right side of the screen, where you just entered your login, look for
          “View the Safety Video”  You must watch the entire video!

•   All Riders and Crew are required to receive an ID bracelet and Check In on Saturday morning, and Riders should pick up their numbers and ride jerseys on either Friday evening or Saturday morning.  Learn more here:  http://www.harbortothebay.net/2009/09/09/friday-check-in-for-riders/

     1.  Friday at Club Cafe, 209 Columbus Ave, between 4PM and 8PM:  
          Pick up your numbers, ID bracelet, and drop off donations, and ask us questions.

     2.  Saturday at Trinity Church in Copley Square, at 5AM:  
          All Boston Riders must notify us that you’ve arrived, so we can keep track of you. 
          If you didn’t pick up numbers on Friday, you can do that Saturday at Copley. 

            –  OR  –

     3.  Saturdray at Sagamore Rotary, at 9AM: 
          All Sagamore Riders must notify us that you’ve arrived, so we can keep track of you.
          If you didn’t pick up numbers on Friday, you can do that Saturday at Sagamore. 

Riders:
•   All Riders are required to ride with a helmet.  If you do not have a helmet, you will not be allowed to ride.  We want you there in one piece, even if it’s with helmet hair!   :)

•   Riders are prohibited from using cell phones, including headsets, while in motion.  If you need to make/take a call, find a safe place to stop, signal that you’re stopping, dismount, and then make/take your call. 

•   If you have lights for your bike, be sure to bring them - the sun may go down before our final ride in!
•   Be sure to stretch lots throughout the day
•   Drink before you’re thirsty, and eat before you’re hungry!     Remember - this is a huge physical challenge!
•   Ask questions and don’t be shy.   We have lots of beginners and this is an amazing feat!

Crew:
You make the H2B Ride a success.  Stay focused, stay energized, and cheer cheer cheer!

•   Keep a close eye on the Riders, especially towards the pit stop closing times.  Watch out for signs of “bonking” and be sure everyone is eating and drinking tons.
•   Watch out for the safety of everyone!   If you see someone riding irresponsibly, or a dangerous situation, tell your pit stop leader!   Tell the Moving Violations ladies.   Or call the H2B number and report it!   We need you to be sure we’re all celebrating on Saturday night!

Thank You!!

Despite the tough economy, you have made this an amazing year, and 100% of the money you’ve raised is going to our beneficiaries!   They couldn’t be more excited because their clients - our family and friends living with HIV and AIDS - need your love and support more than ever.  You have stepped up and knocked it out of the park!   

We’re going to have a spectacular ride.    So, get ready, contact your Rider Reps and Crew Reps with your questions, and I always am glad to help too!

See you Friday and/or Saturday!

Regards,
Eric Santamaria
EricSantamaria@harbortothebay.org

If you cannot make it on Friday, you can still pick these items up on Saturday morning at Trinity Church in Copley Square.  We encourage to make it on Friday so things will run more smoothly on Ride morning.

Crew members may also come in to pick up their shirts and wrist bands and any donations they may have.

Crew and rider reps will be available to deal with any questions or issues.

All riders will still need to check-in on Saturday morning but you will only need to get your name checked off the list so we know you are riding.  This is necessary so that we can make sure we account for everyone at the end of the ride.

Don’t forget the Club Cafe Staff Drag Show fundraiser on Wednesday at 7:30pm and come in on Friday to check-in and get your kit and drop off any donations you might have.