Special Thanks

Why should I register online?   
When you register online with active.com, you receive the convenience of signing up, paying online instantly and confirming your registration and receiving additional customer service. Online registration will make registering fast, fun and easy, and you will receive a confirmation e-mail within a minute or so.  You can also forward information about the event to other participants.  Training tools are provided to help you reach your performance goals using an established training program or designing a program based on the event.
Can I register the day of the ride?
Yes, the Registration Tent will be open beginning at 7:00 a.m. If you want a guaranteed t-shirt and wish to avoid the lines, we encourage you to pre-register. If you do it before April 4, 2008, you will also save $5.
Who should contact if I need additional information?
For further information and details, please contact Beth Fitzpatrick by email at HBCBeth@verizon.net.
Is the ride open to everyone? 
Yes, this event is open to the general public, and all bicycle riders are welcome. All participants must wear helmets.
What are the earliest and latest times I can start the course and when will I have to be completed? 
It is a “show and go” start. You may start as early as 8 a.m. You are free to ride at your own pace, but we do request that you return by 3 p.m. Route services will cease after 3 p.m. Riders must be off the routes by 4 p.m.
Are there additional festivities, and what are the times of these? 
Yes, there will be a DJ, food, drinks, Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Historical, Educational and Memorial Center, PSP and Centennial bicycle merchandise will be offered for sale.  A PSP static display will also be presented.
What will it cost and what does that include?
The registration fee is $20 per rider if received by April 4, 2008, and $25 per rider after that. Your registration fee includes Food, Support, a Commemorative T-shirt to the first 1,000 participants who pre-register, and additional festivities. Each rider will be given a wrist band, which will entitle the rider to Food, and SAG Support.
Will parking be available?
There will be plenty of free parking at the The Hershey Middle School 500 Homestead Road Hershey, PA 17033.
Is the Ride “rain or shine”?  
Yes!  Be prepared for rain, shine, warm, cold, tailwinds, and headwinds. Bring appropriate clothing for all types of weather. Temperatures could change quickly at that time of year. The PA State Department of Transportation reminds you to be safe while cycling by wearing bright and/or reflective clothing.
What will the weather be like? 
Temperature can vary greatly in this area at this time of year.  The average temperature for the Hershey area for late April is a high of 67 degrees, a low of 46, and an average of 57. 
What is the route like?  
This ride features 6.6 -, 14.8-, 32.2-, and 37.6 mile routes.  The route design committee plans for as flat a ride as possible.  However, south-central Pennsylvania does have some moderate hills that we just can’t avoid.  In general, the longer the route you choose, the more hills you will encounter.  Remember, this is not a race, it's a Ride, and each cyclist rides at his/her own pace.  Our event is a recreational tour of south central Pennsylvania.  You may certainly ride at a fast pace; just remember, there are no rewards for the fastest time. Large pacelines are strongly discouraged.  We hope you will stop and enjoy the rest stops; they have been selected for their scenic beauty. All routes will be clearly marked, and riders will be provided with cue sheets/maps.
What are the safety rules? 
We hope for a relatively injury-free ride.  In order to make our metric century both safe and enjoyable, we are asking that you consciously adhere to all Pennsylvania bicycle laws and our own Rules.  To keep everyone happy and safe, please be considerate of our local traffic and stay to the right and allow vehicular traffic to pass.  Please obey all traffic laws, officers and ride marshals.  Wear your helmet at all times (no headsets) and be considerate of other riders and the motoring public.  Remember, the roads are not closed for this ride. 
How many rest stops will there be?
There will be rest stops approximately every 10-15 miles, where there will be support staff, food, water and bathroom facilities available.  The start/finish area will also serve as an additional rest area.  The total ride distance includes travel to all rest stops, so of you pass them by; you may finish with mileage which is less than expected.  The rest stops will be staffed with volunteers and will be in operation only for the times indicated.
How do I prepare for a 62+ mile ride? 
Start with short rides over varying terrain 4-6 weeks before the ride begins and then gradually increase your distance and pace.
Do I have to ride the whole 62+ miles, or is there a shorter ride(s) available?  
You may choose to ride either or both of the two longer loops, or you can ride the shorter 14.8 mile route.
What if I can't finish the Ride?
If you cannot go on at any point in the Ride, one of the many support vehicles that will be cruising the routes can pick you up and take you back. Remember that we will have rest stops points set up approximately every 10-15 miles, so if you're feeling tired, you can rest, eat an energy bar, drink a sports drink, and pick up where you left off. This is not a race, it's a Ride, and each cyclist rides at his/her own pace.
What should my family/friends do In case of an emergency?  
Anyone needing to reach a cyclist should call the emergency number that will be provided with the cue sheets.  Callers to this number will get a recording with the phone number of a staff member, who will relay messages to cyclists. Your safety is our number one priority. For that reason, we strongly encourage all family members, friends, photographers, volunteers, and non-ride officials to stay off the cyclists’ route and use alternate routes instead. Pulling over, driving too fast or slow, or honking at cyclists can create severe safety hazards.
Will there be food available?
Yes, there will be plenty of nutritious food available at all the rest stops and at the start/finish area.
What will the support be on the Ride?  This ride will be fully supported.  The support will consist of:

Communications: Radios will be stationed at all rest stops and in all support vehicles. Volunteers and staff will be monitoring the entire route and will be alert and aware of everything happening along the routes and are able to communicate at all times.

EMS: A complete network of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel will be available all day to patrol the route, the lunch stop, and many rest stops. If you have any medical needs, go to the nearest rest stop or flag down one of the support vehicles.

Mechanics: Sponsoring bike shop mechanics will be available before, after, and during the tour at rest stops to assist with all repairs.

SAG Vehicles: Support And Gear vehicles patrol the route to provide assistance to
riders who need a lift ahead on the route. SAG’s do not stop to make repairs to bikes, but
they will bring riders to the next rest stop offering repair services. Don’t be shy about
taking advantage of them if you feel tired!

Traffic Control: These dedicated volunteers will be stationed at key locations along the
route to alert cyclists of oncoming traffic or other potential hazards. Their #1 priority is to
ensure cyclist safety, but they cannot stop traffic. These will include PSP Motorcycles, Bicycle Patrol Units, Fire Police, local motorcycle clubs, and volunteers.
Will there be bathrooms available?
Yes, there will be a sufficient number of porta-pots located at all the rest stops and at the start/finish area.
What should I bring on the Ride?
Make sure your bicycle is in good condition before you come on the Ride. If you don’t perform your own maintenance, visit your local bike shops for a safety inspection and have them service it for you if needed.  Many people ask what kind of bike to ride on the ride.  Professionals advise to ride whatever bicycle you are used to riding and be sure you have trained to pedal it for the duration of the route you choose. If you plan to ride a hybrid or mountain bike, professionals suggest that you get “slick” or inverted tread tires, as opposed to “knobby” tires. You will find them much easier to pedal because there is less rolling distance.

For the ride:

  • Helmet—no helmet, no ride!
  • Water bottle
  • Rain gear
  • Sunscreen
  • Bike parts, spokes, etc.
  • Petroleum jelly, pain reliever (if needed)
  • A basic tool kit
  • Tire pump
  • Spare tube and patch kit
  • If you have odd sized tires or tubes, bring an extra spare
  • Personal ID and medical insurance cards

Do not bring personal stereos with headphones— they are illegal to use while riding a bicycle and are not allowed on the Ride.

Don’t Forget Your Bicycle

Will there be a Photographer available?
Yes, Mr. Harvey Levine of Harvey Levine Photography, who specializes in sports and action photography, will be stationed along the route to take action photographs of riders, which will then be available for purchase through his web site. www.digiproofs.com. The password is police08

Special Thanks to:

The Pennsylvania State Police was created by an Act of the legislature which was signed into law by Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker on May 2, 1905. It was the first uniformed police organization of its kind in the United States. This experiment in law enforcement set a new standard in policing and served as a model for other state police agencies throughout the nation. The founding principles are evident today, even as the PSP sets new standards for tomorrow. The commitment to excellence will long remain a driving force in law enforcement.  Throughout its rich history, the Pennsylvania State Police has provided police services to vast regions of Pennsylvania.  Today, the authorized complement of the Pennsylvania State Police is 4,545 sworn members. In addition, over 1,600 civilians serve in a variety of roles throughout the Department.

 
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