Ride For Hope - 5th April 2008
Participating in the Ride for Hope amounts to something far greater than the athletic accomplishment of a long bike ride.
Who can ride.
Anyone! Ride for Hope is a charitable bike-a-thon designed to accommodate people of all ages and cycling abilities. It matters not if you ride 10 miles or 100 miles, whether you pedal slowly or like the wind. You can easily participate in the Ride for Hope.
Why we ride.
We ride because we can! and to help and inspire others who cannot. We ride to raise money; with each mile pedaled dollars come in and every single one of those dollars is donated to cancer caring centers and cancer treatment programs.
Where we ride.
The Ride for Hope happens in Eleuthera, a spectacular island 45 miles east of New Providence (see map). Our staging area, where everyone begins and ends, is in North Eleuthera. From there, our course runs south, almost as far as Palmetto Point. Some sections of the course are hilly; others are flat or rolling. There are incredible vantage points of the Atlantic Ocean and vistas of secluded, tropical beaches that will take your breath away.
How far we ride.
The distance you ride is entirely your choice. Every participant has a highly personalized journey. You are not in a race. You are under no pressure to finish quickly (only within a reasonable and safe time limit).
What to expect along the ride.
At strategic points along the course you will encounter our Ride for Hope Support Tents. These are manned by enthusiastic volunteers who celebrate your arrival in authentically Bahamian style and assist you with any needs. You can rest, have a snack, re-fill your water bottle, continue on your way or return to the start.
On the route in between the Support Tents you might find yourself surrounded by other cyclists, cheered on by locals, or riding in the solitude of your own thoughts. Course marshalls and local police travel the route constantly throughout the day to watch over you and ensure safety. Mobile bike mechanics are always just a short distance away should you get a flat tire.
Road conditions vary. Sections are "holy" as we like to say in the Bahamas. But even these are safely traversed. For the most part the going is smooth, with little vehicle traffic. The course is very clearly marked (there really is only one main road on Eleuthera, so it is virtually impossible to get lost).