Cycle of Hope

The big day is almost upon us – the 2023 Cycle of Hope! If you’re registered to ride with us in-person on Sunday, October 22nd, at Patelco Credit Union’s HQ in Dublin, this guide has everything you need to be prepped for ride day. 

Before we dive into the details, the most important thing we need to tell you is how much we appreciate you. By riding Cycle of Hope, you’re a vital part of Habitat for Humanity’s global community that has served over 46 million people in over 70 countries – and you’re helping us change lives and communities right here in the Bay Area. You’re going the extra mile to make homeownership affordable for people priced out of the opportunity. Riding for repairs that keep people in their homes and neighborhoods. Pedaling for financial education that moves people toward their goals.

All this work happens because we’re in it together. Shoulder to shoulder, we move as one to build a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Together, we ride.

 

REGISTRATION & PACKET PICK-UP

What’s In Your Packet

Your packet will consist of your event t-shirt and goody bag, plus your jersey if you’ve earned or purchased one. Participants will receive the shirt size they selected when registering. If you need to exchange your shirt size, you may do so on event day at the Registration Tent after all rides have started. Shirt size exchanges will be based on availability.

If you requested that your packet be mailed to you by paying for the packet mailing add-on but you haven’t received it, it will be shipped out on Wednesday, October 11th.

Packet Pick-Up

When you’re picking up your packet, please bring a photo ID (or a printed or electronic copy of a rider ID if you’re picking up on behalf of another rider and a screenshot of their registration confirmation). 

In-Person Packet Pick-Up Options:

Early Packet Pickup - recommended to avoid crowds

• Saturday, October 21st
• 10am-2pm
• Mike’s Bikes – Pleasanton
• 6754 Bernal Ave #710, Pleasanton, CA 94566

Event Day Pick-Up

• Sunday, October 22nd
• Starting at 6:30 am
• Patelco Headquarters
• 3 Park Place, Dublin

Ride Category Changes 

Switching from your registered distance to a different distance is permitted. You will be responsible for paying the price difference for any increase in distance, but are not eligible for a refund of the price difference for a decrease in distance. Fees will apply for switching UP to a higher-distance course (the difference between your original registration price, and the current registration price for the new distance). There is no fee to switch DOWN to a lower distance, and there is no refund of the price difference.

To change your registration:

• Head to your profile and scroll down to find your registration under Upcoming Events.
• On the right side of that listing, click the Manage Registration link.
• On the next page, click on Transfer Ride on the top menu. 

Last Minute & Day of Registration

Do you still have friends waiting to take the Cycle of Hope plunge? Tell them to get in, we’ve got room for them! And, they can register at HabitatCycleofHope.org right up until start time on Sunday, October 22nd. So, go ahead and send them your personalized referral link (which you can find here, under “race signup link”) and get them registered to join you in-person or as a part of our virtual community!

We can also take walk-up registration at packet pickup on Saturday, Oct. 21st at Mike’s Bikes - Pleasanton as well as at the event on October 22nd, starting at 6:30 am until their ride’s start time. Just be sure they have ID and payment available to register in-person, and plan for plenty of extra time to be ready for start time. So, bring your friends along for the ride!

IN-PERSON EVENT DAY INFORMATION

Arrival

Please arrive early to allow plenty of time for traffic, parking, and final preparations at the Start Line. If you have not yet picked up your rider packet, be sure to allow lots of extra time to line up and get checked in and geared up!

Start/Finish Line Location & Times

Patelco Credit Union Corporate Headquarters - 3 Park Place, Dublin, CA, 94568

7:30 am: Metric Century 62-Mile Start Time
8:30 am: Moderate 33-Mile Start Time
10:00 am: Starter 9-Mile Start Time
11:00 am: Kids’ Bike Festival Starts
11:30 am: Kids’ Ride
12:30 pm: Awards Program
2:00 pm: Kids' Bike Festival Ends
3:00 pm: Finish line and courses close

Parking and Directions 

Free parking will be available at the event site. Look for signs that read "Rider/Spectator Parking." Enter the parking lot from Dublin Blvd and Park Place and follow the signage and volunteer directions to designated parking. Once parked, look for directional signs to walk to the event site within the Patelco Credit Union HQ campus.

Spectator Information 

Spectators are welcome to cheer their rider on at the Finish Line! We want to minimize traffic on the route as much as possible.  Family and friends can join us for the post-ride festivities! 

Gear Check 

Gear should be dropped-off at the Gear Check tent prior to entering the start line area. Please arrive early to check your bag and avoid the lines. Plastic bags will be available to hold items. Simply attach the Gear Check label from your participant bib to the bag for identification. You must have a bib to use Gear Check.

All items checked must be reclaimed with your cyclist bib.  All unclaimed items at Gear Check will be transported to Mike's Bikes Pleasanton (6754 Bernal Ave #710, Pleasanton, CA 94566) for two weeks following the event. Unclaimed items will then be donated to a local charity. Do not give your items to any volunteer except those at Gear Check or at a course water station.  Items checked at water stations will need to be picked up post-event at Mike's Bikes Pleasanton. They will not be available at the event site following your ride. Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley and High Altitude Special Events Management are not responsible for any lost or stolen items. Please do not check any items of significant value.

THE COURSES

Course Maps and Staying on Course

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the courses prior to event day. Printed cue sheets with directions will be available at the start of each ride. You can download the GPS directions by navigating to the correct Ride With GPS page and clicking on “Send to Device”.  

•    62-Mile Metric Century Route
•    33-Mile Moderate Route
•    9-Mile Starter/Family Ride

Rules of the Road 

While signage will be in place indicating that a bike ride is occuring, no streets or lanes will be closed on any of the ride courses. Therefore, all riders are expected to follow the rules of the road. Stay in the designated lane(s) for cyclists. Only two cyclists may ride side-by-side, and we recommend single file when ascending or descending any hills. 

Course Markings

Signs will be posted at each turn along all ride courses and Course Marshals will be posted at key navigation points. Each course will be marked with a different color route arrow. 

Support on the Course 

All rides will be fully supported with water stations, course signage to direct cyclists at turns, and EMS resources on the course and at the start and finish. 

Restrooms

All water stations will have portable toilets.

Entertainment 

We want to keep you in the groove even on your breaks, so each water station will have music to keep you motivated. Eat, drink, and dance the day away with your fellow riders!

Course Nutrition and Hydration

Aid stations will have water, sweet and salty snacks, and endurance and energy supplements, along with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at select water stations. A hot meal will be waiting for ALL riders at the post-ride party!    For cyclists who are riding the 66-mile Metric Century route, lunch will be available at your rest stop at mile 33, Del Valle Rd/Mendenhall Road. 

Cyclist Expectations

We will be providing SAG for the ride with equipment and supplies to service athletes for minor issues that they are unable to resolve, including flat tires and broken chains.  All cyclists are asked to and expected to carry a spare tube, CO2 cartridge or pump, and anything else needed to change a flat or fix a mechanical issue. A wristband will be provided at packet pick-up with a hotline to call with any emergency needs.

Event Status System 

An Event Status System will be displayed at each water station indicating the status of the ride based on the current weather conditions. There will be a simple color-based warning system.

GREEN FLAG: Proceed as normal.
YELLOW FLAG: CAUTION - Slow down, use caution, and drink plenty of water.
RED FLAG: EXTREME CAUTION - Slow down, use extreme caution, and drink plenty of water due to dangerous weather conditions.
BLACK FLAG: STOP - Seek shelter immediately in the event of a weather emergency. The event has been canceled due to extreme conditions or course emergency such as lightning, tornado, or human disaster. Instructions will be announced via bullhorn at water stations from the station captain.

 

GENERAL CYCLING SAFETY GUIDELINES & RULES

We want to ensure all cyclists have a fun and safe experience at Cycle of Hope.  Please review these safety tips and rules for event day.

Open Road Course 

As with most cycling events, the roads will not be closed. Therefore, cyclists are required to follow the same rules and laws that cars follow.  Stop signs and traffic signals must be obeyed.  Cyclists must yield to pedestrians.

Earphones 

An earbud should only be worn if using the navigation app in one ear (right, away from traffic) and volume low so that you can hear other cyclists and surroundings.  

Electric Bikes 

Electric bikes (e-bikes) will be permitted this year.  All posted speed limits are to be followed.

Helmet 

YES to helmets! For your own safety, helmets are required at the Cycle of Hope. You will be removed from the route if you are not wearing a helmet.

Take the Lane 

Riders are asked to stay as far to the right of the road as safely possible and/or in designated bike lanes.  There are a few exceptions in the law that allow riders to “take the lane”:

• Passing another cyclist (always pass on the left-hand side and announce before doing so, “On your left.”)  If you hear this, keep looking forward and hold steady, be courteous, and allow the rider to pass you.
• Preparing to make a left-hand turn
• When necessary to avoid certain conditions that make it unsafe to stay to the right (ie: potholes, etc.)

Any time you plan to take the lane, be mindful of your surroundings and adjust according to safety conditions. Before doing so, check for oncoming traffic and use your arm to signal your intention to move over. 

Additional Safety Tips:

Riding in a big group can be tricky - the most important things are to be predictable and communicate!
Being predictable means riding in a straight line and not making sudden moves (for example, coming to a sudden stop). 
Communicate while on the road by using your voice (say “STOPPING” if you need to stop) and using hand signals to indicate making a turn.  
Always ride with traffic, not against.
If you need to stop for a repair or to rest, move up to the sidewalk/off of the road.
Do not draft off of vehicles or follow cyclists too closely.
Never ride more than 2 abreast.
Talk to other cyclists with signals (ie: pointing out gravel/objects, “car back,” “stopping,” signaling tracks, etc.).
Stay as visible as possible (safety lights strongly recommended, bright colored clothing, etc.).

You are Ready…But is Your Bike? 

To help ensure a fantastic ride experience, not only do you want to be physically ready, but your bike needs to be, too.  Here are some things to remember and prepare before you take off from the Start Line:

• Nothing feels better than a freshly tuned-up bike.  Feel free to contact any Mike's Bikes location to get yours in before the ride to have it checked.
• Always check your tire pressure, condition, and wheels before you ride.
• Check brakes for worn pads, cable tightness, alignment, locked in place after transporting.
• Check gears and shifting.
• Is the bike fit comfortable?
• Check handlebars – make sure they are secure at the headset.
• Always carry a spare tube, CO2 canister/dispenser or pump, patch kit, and tire lever in the event of a flat.

Additional Resources

For additional information on cycling safety and rules in California, check out the Department of Motor Vehicles article, Sharing The Road.  In addition, Road ID has put together an informative brief video titled "Group Riding- Tips for Cyclist - Road ID Rules of the Road."

 

RIDE SWAG

2023 Finisher Medals & Premium T-Shirts

All athletes will receive a t-shirt, finisher medal, and swag from our Cycle of Hope sponsors, including a travel first aid kit and a picnic blanket from Presenting Sponsor Patelco Credit Union. 

FINISH LINE & POST-RIDE PARTY

Ride Finish 

The course and finish line will be open until 3pm. Early starts are not allowed. After crossing the Finish Line, participants will receive a finisher’s medal, water, and a catered meal from Baja Fresh. 

Finish Line Celebration 

What better way to celebrate after a day of rewarding cycling than to enjoy a post-ride party? Stick around after your hard work to join in on the fun! There will be music, a burrito bar, family fun, and more. For the kiddos, there will be a bike safety rodeo and obstacle course from Bike East Bay, facepainting, carnival games, and a bounce house!  Also, at 12:30 pm, we’ll be holding our awards ceremony to shine a light on our top fundraisers and friend-raisers, and dish out some sweet prizes!

Post-Ride

The cycling may be at an end for this year’s event, but the fun – and fundraising – can continue! Keep us moving toward that ultimate finish line – a world where everyone has a decent place to live – by making a post-ride call for support at your fundraising page. And keep the fun going by sharing your photos and videos on social media with the hashtag #TogetherWeRide, and keep an eye on your inbox for a link to post-ride photos from Cycle of Hope! Be sure to keep in touch with us by liking our Facebook page and signing up for Habitat’s email list. 

 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Calling All Volunteers! Do you have family or friends that would like to help us give you and your fellow cyclists a first-class experience? Have them join us for an amazing day and experience the thrill of this incredible event by volunteering. They can cheer you on and help support others in their inspirational determination to complete a Metric Century, 33-Mile, and 9-Mile Ride. If you have family or friends that would like to volunteer, they can learn more here.

 

CONTACT US

If you have any questions about ride-related details, please contact us at Events@HabitatEBSV.org.

 

THANK YOU! 

Best of luck to all riders! On behalf of Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley and the event team, we thank you for being part of Cycle of Hope and riding us all closer to a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Together, we ride. 

Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.