April Newsletter
Hello R4P Bikers and Support Crew!
FUNDRAISING
We are currently at 60 registered riders and we have raised over $28,000 for the Center for Youth’s LGBTQ+ programming! Top fundraisers will be receiving some beautiful pieces of art from local artists, so keep up the great work! Please remember that you must raise a minimum of $300 per biker in order to be eligible to ride. You’ll find our favorite fundraising tips are listed at the end of this newsletter.
Send your page link to [email protected]
INSURANCE – NO LONGER USING USA Cycling!!
It has been brought to our attention that USA Cycling has created bike racing policies that are not transgender-inclusive. Because of this, we have switched to event insurance covered by the Center for Youth. Therefore, if you haven’t yet signed the waiver sent previously, please don’t bother. Waivers are not necessary with our new insurance.
RIDEWITHGPS / MAPS
Does anyone have a RideWithGPS club, shop, or tour event account? Please let us know. We’d like to get everyone free audible navigation. Several maps are now on the logistics page of our website. (Ride4pride.org/logistics Password = R4P) We’ll have printed versions of the map for everyone the morning of the ride.
PARTY RSVP for additional guests
Guests are welcome at the after-ride dinner/awards party held at the home of Kellie & Craig Ronald. Please RSVP if you have additional guests. [email protected]
T-SHIRT PICK UP
Wednesday, June 17th at ROAR, 5-7 PM, cash bar, snacks provided.
COMPLIMENTARY BICYCLE SAFETY CHECKS
Just a reminder, Towpath Bikes, on the Erie Canal Trail in Pittsford, is offering complimentary bicycle safety checks to all Ride 4 Pride riders during the week leading up to the ride, starting Saturday, June 13. Bike checks include simple adjustments, quick chain clean and lubrication, air in tires, and a safety check so all participants can enjoy their bike ride worry free. Towpath Bikes is closed on Sunday and Monday so
please plan accordingly. No need for an appointment, just stop by the week of the ride with your bicycle and tell them you’re a R4P biker. Our contact there is co-owner, Brandon.
RAINBOW RIDE
Are you looking for more fun biking opportunities once R4P is over? On July 12, the Rochester Rainbow Riders will be hosting their annual Rainbow Ride! This event starts and ends at the Pride Picnic, with plenty of time to enjoy the picnic afterwards. It is a casual pace, no-drop, no traffic ride on the canal and river trails, with variable distance options. This year, they’re also excited to announce that they’re adding a 20-mile self-supported road ride. Group up with some friends or folks you’ve just met and enjoy a nice ride around the city. Ride details, routes, and registration are available at https://forms.gle/VYzWuVz6r2YfwNVt9. These rides are coordinated by Jennifer and Megan Willy. Megan is one of our R4P bikers, so feel free to ask her about these rides when you see her at R4P.
FUNDRAISING TIPS
Here are some of our favorite tips for effective fundraising.
- Create a heartfelt write up about why you’re riding and include it in your ask for donations via email, text, or on social media. Keep in mind that personalized asks directed individually at people are much more effective than simply posting a general ask for donations.
- Create a hook or a gimmick to encourage donations (ie. “If I raise $1,000 I’ll ride dressed as Wonder Woman” or “If I raise $2,000 I’ll dye my hair purple for the ride.” Jeannie writes the names of her donors on her body in indelible ink so her supporters can join her for the ride. If people donate $100 or more, they get to choose their body part. Ooh lah lah! (Feel free to steal her idea if you like it!)
- Send your ask far and wide. You never know who might be eager to support our cause.
- Ask people to help spread the word by forwarding your story and fundraising link.
- Acknowledge donations right away by thanking your donors.
- Put a pledge sheet in the lunchroom where you work. Feel free to use the attached template that Rider Dan created for us. It’s in Word doc form so you can edit it for your needs. Consider adding a QR code that links to your fundraising page for easy payments.
- Send a gentle reminder as the event gets closer to those who said they’d support you but haven’t donated yet. They may have just forgotten.
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Shift Happens!
Alec, Jeannie, and Kellie