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 Go
Greenbelt!
Frequently
Asked Questions
General
Questions
What is Go Greenbelt! all about?
What is the age range of Go Greenbelt! riders?
If I cannot go the entire week, is it possible to do
only part of the tour?
When is the Go Greenbelt! 2008 tour?
Cycling
Questions
Go Greenbelt! is billed as a "challenging"
tour. What does that mean?
When you say that Go Greenbelt! is "fully
supported," what does that mean?
How much training should I do before the ride?
What if I am too slow?
I am not a great climber. Is that OK?
How many miles do we ride in an average day?
Do we ride on-road or off-road?
What kind of bike is best for Go Greenbelt!?
Logistical
Questions
What are the sleeping accommodations like on Go
Greenbelt!?
How about food? Are meals on our own?
How do I pack for the tour?
Should I bring my cell phone?
Do we get a map for each day of the ride?
Fundraising
Questions
Of the $1000 (7-day) or $750 (3-day) minimum
I raise, how much of that covers the cost of the ride?
Is there someone to help me with my fundraising?
What do funds raised for Go Greenbelt! support?
Is it OK to have a friend or sponsor ride with
me for part of a day?
More
Questions
What are the press conferences about?
Who are the event staff?
Is Go Greenbelt! like a Backroads Tour?
General
Questions
What is Go Greenbelt!
all about?
The ride was created in 1990 by Greenbelt Alliance staff member Jim Sayer
as a part of the Earth Day celebrations. What better way to dedicate
ourselves
to protecting the earth than riding through the Bay Area's spectacular
greenbelt-celebrating the beauty and productivity of our open lands,
and
calling attention to lands at risk of sprawl development. Our route climbs
most of the Bay Area's major peaks, providing unparalleled views of the
Bay Area. We also traverse the Bay Area's lightly traveled scenic back
roads.
What is the age range of Go
Greenbelt! riders?
The oldest Go Greenbelt! rider has been 75, and the youngest was
7 years old (on a tandem with his mother).
If I cannot go the entire
week, is it possible to do only part of the tour?
Yes, we can accommodate a limited number of three-day riders. Three-day
riders will be responsible for arranging their own logistics for meeting
up with
the ride. The fundraising minimum for three-day riders is $750. The three-day
ride options are:
- The first three days: San Francisco to Livermore.
This includes Skyline
Drive to the first overnight in Los Gatos, the incredible Uvas Road
in southern Santa Clara County o The last three days-Fairfield to San
Francisco. You will meet up with us in Fairfield. We can pick you and
the infamous Medcalf climb on day two, then Mt. Hamilton on day three.
We'll transport you and your bike to the BART station at the end of
the day.
- The last three days: Fairfield to San Francisco.
You will meet up
with us up in Fairfield. We can pick you up at the train station (Capital
Corridor train) or have someone drive you and your gear. The route
includes the wine country of Napa and Sonoma and the challenging climb
up Trinity Grade to Santa Rosa, then on to the coast and Highway 1
to Olema Campground on day two, and the final challenge to climb Mt.
Tam
on
day three before the end of our tour and final picnic in the Presidio in San Francisco.
When is the Go Greenbelt!
2008 tour?
The ride is on hiatus indefinitely until another organization
or business can take on the logistical end of the event.
Cycling
Questions
Go Greenbelt!
is billed as a "challenging" tour. What does that mean?
It means that the average recreational rider will occasionally be challenged—either
with a long day, or a steep hill. If, by the time of the ride in June,
you can ride 65 miles, and not be too tired the next day, you can do
Go Greenbelt!
When you say that Go
Greenbelt! is "fully supported," what does that mean?
We carry your gear in a support vehicle. In addition, at least two support
vehicles follow the riders to provide assistance if you run into trouble.
You should, however, have a bike in good operating condition, and know
how to do minor road repairs and change a flat.
How much training should
I do before the ride?
That really depends on the individual. We offer volunteer-led training
rides training rides all winter and spring to help you prepare. In general,
by late May, you should be able to comfortably be able to ride your
bike around 65 miles and not feel wiped out the next day. Remember, if
you stretch, rehydrate and eat well at the end of each day's ride, you
will become stronger every day. The rider packet you receive after registering
contains a complete Training Guide.
What if I'm too slow?
Most people think they are slower than they really are—remember, you
have all day to complete a route. However, there is a time limit to keep
the support vehicles from being too stretched to effectively support all
riders. If necessary, we will sweep the rear of the course, picking up
slower riders and giving them a ride partway to help keep all riders relatively
together.
I'm not a great climber.
Is that OK?
We live in the Bay Area, so hills are unavoidable and the views are incredible.
Just go slow. On days one, two, and four, there are less hilly options
for folks who are not ready for all that climbing. Many people see the
hills
as
a personal
challenge.
On most days there is at least one significant hill.
How many miles do we ride
in an average day?
The longest is about 80 miles and the shortest is 47. The average is about
68 miles.
Do we ride on-road or off-road?
Most days, we ride remote paved back roads. We ride on a few paved bike
paths as well. Unfortunately, with the ever-increasing pressures of sprawl
development, we face more and more traffic on these once-empty roads.
Riding single-file with safety in mind is a must!
What kind of bike is best
for Go Greenbelt!?
A road or touring bike is best. Some people have done the ride on mountain
bikes fitted with slick tires. Clipless pedals are also a great help. Don't
plan to ride this in tennis shoes.
Logistical
Questions
What are the sleeping accommodations
like on Go Greenbelt!?
This is a true grassroots event. Generally, the riders stay at a church
along the route. In each case, we try to have an indoor (recreation hall)
and outdoor (church lawn or yard) option. We shower in local gyms, YMCA
or recreational facilities. The final night we stay at the Olema Campground
where you'll need a tent. Some people just don't want to rough it and
want to stay in hotels. While this is fine (click
here for hotel information), riders should be prepared to wait until
there is a support vehicle available for transportation to and from the
hotels. Riders who stay in hotels have also reported that they miss out
on much of the socializing with other riders. You might want to consider
a hotel for some, but not all, the nights.
How about food? Are meals on
our own?
We provide organic snacks and power foods at every rest stop (approximately
every 20 miles). Unless we are riding in a remote area, lunch is on your
own in designated "lunch zones." Veteran riders will tell you
where all the best restaurants are. You are also responsible for three
dinners and most breakfasts on your own (lots of good restaurant options).
Over the years, we've found great restaurants, cafes, and brew pubs
that are part of the fun.
How do I pack for the tour?
Carefully read the "Rider Handbook" (download
PDF)
that will cover the details of packing. The most important thing is to
limit your luggage. Bring clothes, sleeping bag, pad, and tent (for
those
who want to sleep under the stars).
Should I bring my cell
phone?
Sure. That's how our staff and volunteers communicate on the ride, and
each rider will be given their cell phone numbers. It's also convenient
for those calls home in the evenings. Don't forget your charger!
Do we get a map for each day
of the ride?
About a week before we start, riders will receive their official maps.
These include each day's route, elevation gain, and written directions.
Riders should get used to reading these maps and pay strict attention
to all three sections of the maps.
Fundraising
Questions
Of the $1000 (7-day)
or $750 (3-day) minimum I raise, how much of that covers the cost of the
ride?
The approximate cost per rider is $60 per day.
Is there someone to
help me with my fundraising?
Yes. When you register,
you will receive a fundraising packet that includes information about
the work of Greenbelt Alliance, pledge forms and fundraising
tips. Greenbelt Alliance fundraising staff are also available to give you more help with the process if you ask. Most people report that the fundraising was easier
than they thought—who doesn't want to protect the Bay Area's spectacular open space? The average
raised
by each rider last year was $1,400. Don't forget there are fundraising
prizes for anyone who raises more than $1,000! We can accept rider
pledges online, a quick and convenient way for your sponsors to
contribute. Log
in to your personal fundraising page once a week as the ride nears.
What do funds raised
for Go Greenbelt! support?
Go Greenbelt! supports Greenbelt Alliance's work to protect the Bay Area
open lands and promote more livable communities. This event is Greenbelt
Alliance's biggest fundraising event, often raising more than $80,000. Find out more about our work here.
Is it OK to have a
friend or sponsor ride with me for part of a day?
Certainly, but they should be prepared to support themselves, and
should know that rest stop food is reserved for Go Greenbelt! riders.
More Questions
What are the press
conferences about?
Besides enjoying the beauty of the Bay Area, we also ride through areas
threatened by sprawl development. Once or twice during the week, we will
join with local activists to hold a press conference to point out these
threats. On occasion, a reporter has even gone along on the ride and filed
daily stories about our progress.
Who are the event staff?
Besides the paid Ride Coordinator and Support and Gear Driver, various
Greenbelt Alliance staff and Go
Greenbelt! veteran riders go along to help make the tour enjoyable
and educational.
Is Go Greenbelt! like
a Backroads Tour?
Definitely not. It is more of a do-it-yourself tour. Everyone pitches
in. Riders help load and unload the support vehicle each day. This mutual
support is one of the key parts of Go Greenbelt!. New friendships are often
formed by working together. This is the same way we work to save the greenbelt.
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