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
  • Housing
  • 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, you can work with the local agency, send a note to the Director (DavidSpacht@thesmartride.org ) or chat with the rider representative that is assigned to you. -top-

  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.
  -top-

  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.

  -top-

  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. Please plan about 1 1/2 hours to get through registration process.
  -top-

  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.
  -top-

  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
  -top-

  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.
  -top-

  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.
  -top-

  What kind of medical support is there?

  • You will receive a MEDICAL FORM that is due by December 1, 2009.
  • 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 December 1, 2009. 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.
  -top-

  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). If you would like to take one of these limited spots, please let us know at the information desk in Marathon on Friday evening. Vehicles will leave Key West at 8AM, Sunday morning January 9, 2010.
  -top-

  Where do we stay in Miami and Key West?

  Check out the LODGING page for all the information you need regarding places to stay in Miami and Key West. -top-

  Where will overnight accommodations be?

  • On Friday evening, January 8th, 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 4 individuals in each of these two bedroom, 2 bath villas.
  • If you would like to request your roommates for the evening, we will provide a process for you to do this once you are registered.
  • You can upgrade to a private room with a private bathroom by requesting an upgrade and we will provide a process for you to do this once you are registered.
  -top-

  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.
  -top-

  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. Contact michaella@thesmartride.org in order to get your team name and account set up.
  -top-

  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.
  -top-

  What happens once we get to Key West?

  • We will arrive in Key West on Saturday afternoon. As riders arrive, they will gather at our holding area and enjoy lunch
    
  • After lunch, riders will be police escorted through Key West and down Duval Street and will ultimately arrive at the AIDS Memorial at the White Street Pier at approximately 2pm.
  • After closing ceremonies you can head to your hotel, shower, relax, unwind and meet us for our celebration party from 6-8 at Graffiti's Key West and then from 8 - 10 PM at Bourbon Street Pub on Duval Street.
  -top-

  Who benefits from the ride?

  • Hug Me Program (Orange County)
  • Center for Positive Connections (Dade County)
  • Broward House (Broward County)
  • AIDS Help, Inc. (Monroe County and Key West)
  • Metropolitan Charities (Tampa Bay area)

  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. 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. Once you have registered we will give you a process to do this.

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 have made arrangements with Downtown Bicycles in Fort Lauderdale to assist us with bike shipping if you are coming from out of town. Please check out the website, under the participant menu, rider section for instructions on how to ship your bike.

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 2:00 PM.