1. How is this ride different than others?
   
2. How much do I need to raise?
   
3. How will I raise the money?
   
4. How will my funds be dispersed?
   
5. Where will the ride begin?
   
6. Can we arrive on day 0 and just ride?
   
7. Why do we need to pay a registration fee?
   
8. What is the goal?
   
9. How can I help?
   
10. How old do you have to be to participate?
    
11. What kind of medical support is there?
    
12. How do we get home?
    
13. Where do we stay in Miami and Key West?
    
14. Where will overnight accommodations be?
    
15. What do I need to bring?
    
16. Can I put together a team?
    
17. What if I can't ride at the last minute?
    
18. What happens once we get to Key West?
    
19. Who benefits from the ride?
    
20. Are you a 501(c)3 not for profit event?
    
21. Can friends stay with me en route?
    
22. What if I have special dietary needs?
    
23. Do I have to carry my own gear?
    
24. Can I ship my bicycle and where should I ship it to?
    
25. What about friends and family?

How is this ride different than others?

• 100% of What you raise goes to charity
• 2 Day Ride, 165-Mile Ride from Miami to Key West
• You Decide how your money is distributed
• 50% is divided amongst all the benefiting agencies
• 50% you decide how much and to which agency(s) your money goes (choosing from the agencies benefiting)
• All benefiting agencies will earmark the money toward direct services and education. To include:
  • Pharmaceutical Care
  • Residential Assistance
  • Psycho Social Services
  • Dental Care
  • Holistic Care
  • Medical Care
  • Prenatal and Child Care
• We will make a significant difference in the lives of those at risk, infected and affected by HIV/AIDS

How much do I need to raise?

• Each rider is required to raise $1,250
• Each Crew member (support team) is asked to raise as much as possible

How will I raise the money?

• Easy with our help, just read "20 ways to Fundraise"
  
• In addition, we will have some fun new fundraising activities for you
  
• You just need a plan, enthusiasm, passion and never forgetting why you got involved, always keeping in mind the personal physical challenge, and never forgetting the memory of those who have passed from HIV/AIDS
• If you have specific questions about how to raise your pledges, please feel free to contact Tim Haymon, Rider Rep at timhaymon@thesmartride.org

How will my funds be dispersed?

• 100% of what you raise will go to the benefiting agencies
  
• The first 50% of your fundraising will be equally divided amongst all the benefiting agencies
  
• The second 50% of your money to be dispersed will be within your control. In other words, if you decide that amongst the agencies benefiting you want the remaining 50% to go to one agency because it is from your area, or it does work you most admire, then you can let us know, and that is how it will be dispersed. If you want the second half of the money to go to one, two, three or even four agencies, that's how it will be divided, you just tell us the percentage as you see fit.

Where will the ride begin?

• We will leave from Morning Star Renewal Center, located at 7275 SW 124 Street Miami, FL, 33156-5324 [Google Maps].
  
  Morning Star Renewal Center is located in Dade County in the city of Pine Crest on approximately 10 acres. Directions to Morning Star Renewal Center are: From I-95 / US 1:

  - Head South on I-95 until it merges with US 1.
  - Continue South on US 1 to SW 124th Street.
  - Turn East on SW 124th Street.
  - Follow 124th Street to SW 73 Ave.
  - The Renewal Center will be on the Left.

Can we arrive on Day 0 and just ride?

• Yes, if you arrive on registration day and have the money raised, you can ride, you will just need to complete the registration process in full and attend a safety orientation

Why do we need to pay a registration fee, aren't we raising enough money already? Why not take it from money we raise?

• Registration money is used to help subsidize the cost of all those items involved in putting together an event. Things like food, transportation, housing insurance, state filing fees, snacks, printing, mailing, signage, advertising, uniforms (alright T-shirts), phones. Not to mention the cost of things like finding sponsors, soliciting for new riders, and tracking all your donations. It is our goal to receive enough sponsorship dollars along with your registration fee to underwrite the entire cost of this event, thereby seeing that all the money you work so hard to raise goes to help those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

What is the goal?

• To raise more money than any other similar event has historically done in the State of Florida
  
• To provide a SAFE ride
• Create memories that will fill your heart and soul
• Include anyone who has ever felt they wanted to challenge themselves and make a difference in the world
• In some small but significant way feel we changed the lives of others for the better
• Bring awareness to the continued growth of HIV/AIDS worldwide

How can I help?

• Sign up anyone and everyone who can ride a bike. If they think they can't let them call us, we'll help them with a training program; connect them with other riders etc. We can also always use people to help with sponsorship, administration and more, just contact DavidSpacht@thesmartride.org to volunteer your time. We can also use help on registration day at MorningStar if you or someone you know can help.

How old do you have to be to participate?

• All participants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of the ride.

What kind of medical support is there?

• You will receive a MEDICAL FORM that is due Wednesday, October 31, 2008.
• The ride is pleased that LifeWay, Inc. is going to be our medical sponsor and provide the ride with everything from aspirins to bandages.
• Dr. Marah Lee, D.O., F.A.C.P. is the Medical Director for the ride, she has been on several past rides of this nature, is a specialist in HIV/AIDS and comes to the ride with a passion and dedication for the cause and those committed to making a difference.
• You will receive a medical to fill out which is due back to the medical director by October 15, 2008. This form will be received and reviewed by the Medical Director and kept confidential.
• You are responsible for any medical costs that can not be handled by the medical director and their staff.
• The ride also travels with an ambulance provided by our sponsor American Medical Response.

How do we get home?

• Many riders will want to share the rental of a van or car to return home, it becomes a very economical way to return
  
• Consider staying in Key West with friends that come down to cheer you on and support your efforts
  
• We will have sign up boards for those who need rides and those who have rides to offer on registration day and in Marathon
• If you still need a ride, we will be transporting a limited number of individuals back to Miami (MorningStar Retreat) at a cost of $25/person. If you would like to take one of these limited spots, please let us know at the information desk in Marathon on Friday evening, payment must be made at that time to secure your spot. Vehicles will leave Key West at 8AM, Sunday morning April 1st, 2007.

Where do we stay in Miami and Key West?

In South Miami:
Each Rider and Crew is responsible for making and paying for their own lodging arrangements for accommodations pre and post he SMART Ride 5. The following options are available:

Hotels in Miami for Thursday Night (11/13/08) before the ride:

Best Miami Hotel
5959 SW 71st Street
Miami, Florida 33143

$109.00 + tax per night double occupancy
This hotel is giving a percentage of each reservation back to The SMART Ride 2008

For reservation contact Anay Li at 305-667-6664 ext: 528 or anay.li@pegasohotels.com. Room reservation is only guaranteed when credit card information is provided to the hotel.


2nd Hotel is in process of being determined, check back for updates

Key West - Saturday Night (11/15/08) after the ride:

Southern Most Hotel
1319 Duval Street
Key West, Florida 33040

$179.00 + tax per night double occupancy (upgraded rooms are additional fee)
This hotel is giving a percentage of each reservation back to The SMART Ride 2008

For reservations please call Southern Most Hotel at 1-800-354-4455 and mention group name "SMART" to get the discount. Room reservation is only guaranteed when credit card information is provided to the hotel.

-OR-

Speakeasy Inn
1117 Duval Street
Key West Florida 33040

$168.00 + tax per night double occupancy
This hotel is giving a percentage of each reservation back to The Smart Ride 2008

For reservations please call Speakeasy Inn at 305-296-2680 and mention group name "SMART RIDE" to get the discount. Room reservation is only guaranteed when credit card information is provided to the hotel.

-OR-

El Patio Motel
800 Washington Street
Key West, Florida 33040

$90.00 - $135.00 + tax per night double occupancy
This hotel is giving a percentage of each reservation back to The Smart Ride 2008

For reservations please call 305-296-6531 and mention group name "SMART RIDE" to get the discount. Room reservation is only guaranteed when credit card information is provided to the hotel.

-OR-

Check out any of these other useful resources to find lodging in Key West:

• Key West Travel Guide: 1-800-780-5733 or www.keywesttravelguide.com (use discount code 136349)
  
• Key West Innkeeper’s Association: 305-295-1334
  
• B & B and Inns: 305-295-1285
  
• Key West Lodging Association: 305-296-4959

Where will overnight accommodations be?

• On Friday evening, November 14th, we will staying at the beautiful Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key in Marathon.
• There is NO additional cost for these accommodations to registered riders and crew
• We will be sleeping 6-8 individuals in each of these two bedroom, 2 ½ bath villas with a pull out sofa in the living room.
• We recommend you bring sleeping bags if you wish to sleep on floor
• If you would like to request your roommates for the evening, you must do so during the online registration process.
• You can upgrade to a private room with a private bathroom by requesting an upgrade during the online registration process

What do I need to bring?

• Check out your rider and crew guides for information on everything from water bottles to flashlights that you may need.

Can I put together a team?

• Absolutely!, The more the merrier, teams help build morale, improve training, the team that trains together rides together. We will have prizes for the teams in different categories.

What if I can't ride at the last minute?

• Although we hope this doesn't happen, you can always join crew at the last minute and help out with the riders. The crew are instrumental to the success and you will gain much satisfaction if you can't ride for some reason. If you can't make the ride at all, the money you raised will still go the charities.

What happens once we get to Key West?

Who benefits from the ride?

Learn more about these agencies

Are you a 501(c)3 not for profit event?

• We have a 501(c)3 not-for-profit status under the financial administration of Broward House. Broward House is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. A copy of Broward House's official charitable registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll free, in Florida, 1-800-435-7352. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state.

Can friends stay with me overnight en route?

• We will take requests for these accommodations based on availability and can not confirm these arrangements for friends and family until 30 days prior to the event. Individuals staying with you who are not participants will have to pay a $125.00 fee for lodging and meal.
• You can make this request for roommate during the online registration process.

Can I stay in a hotel instead of camp?

• We are pleased to announce that we will NOT be camping out this year.
• We have reserved rooms at Hawks Cay Resort in Marathon, Florida.
• Keep in mind you will have private bathrooms and air conditioning. The hotel also offers a beautiful pool area, manicured grounds, and a beach front.
• There is NO additional cost for these accommodations to riders or crew.

What if I have special dietary needs?

• On your registration form there was a question asking if you are a vegetarian, if you didn't fill that out, just let us know by calling the office or emailing us at info@thesmartride.org.

Do I have to carry my own gear?

• No, we have crew that will do that for you. On registration day, you will receive luggage tags to mark your gear and sleeping bag.

Can I ship my bicycle and where should I ship it to?

• We are finalizing arrangements to get you the best price and service. Please check back for updates on shipping information, to include a bike shop partner who will re assemble your bicycle, pack and return it home.

What about friends and family?

• We hope friends and family will be with you when you leave on Friday morning at 6:45 AM, and are encouraged to cheer you on along the way. Keeping in mind that the Keys is a heavily traveled and narrow road, if friends and family are found to be in areas that jeopardize the riders they will be asked to leave those areas promptly, major shopping plazas are good places, our objective is to keep everyone SAFE on the route keep the road as clear as possible of extra traffic.
• Your friends and family should meet you in Key West and be there waiting at closing ceremonies. The ceremony location is White Street Pier at the AIDS Memorial and will occur at approximately 2:30 PM.