Bike-A-Thon: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Join us for the 36th annual Bike-A-Thon on September 10th, 2023!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
It’s easy! Take a look at our route descriptions and decide which one you want to ride. Then head over to our registration page to sign up. If riding isn’t for you, you can volunteer!
Yes! Our Bike-A-Thon would not be possible without the help of 100+ wonderful volunteers. Read more about the volunteer roles available here.
- Riders aged 18 and up may ride alone.
- Youth aged 15 to 17 may ride alone but must have a parent or guardian signature on the waiver during registration.
- Youth aged 14 or under must be accompanied by an adult, but they may ride on their own bike, or with an adult in a carrier or attachment.
- Riders aged 18+ need to raise at least $250
- Youth aged 12 to 17 need to raise at least $100
- Youth under age 12 need to raise at least $50
For more detailed information, view our event registration and fundraising page.
You can find detailed instructions on how to fundraise on our event fundraising page. We cover topics like online fundraising, viewing your donations and donors, building your fundraising profile, sharing your fundraising effort on social media and via email, and more!
- Each registered rider who achieves their minimum fundraising goal receives the following on the day of the Bike-A-Thon: a special 2023 Bike-A-Thon T-shirt, breakfast, snacks and lunch, and a fully marked and supported ride! The registration fee helps cover the costs of each rider, ensuring that any fundraising you do goes straight to our programs.
- Our top fundraising riders and teams also get a prize! Check out our list of prizes and raffle items which will continue to be updated up until the event! Based on how much you raise, you can earn the following:
- $250: Event T-shirt
- $400: Event T-shirt and BNB cycling socks
- $750: Event T-shirt, BNB cycling socks, and BNB blanket
- $1,500: Event T-shirt, BNB cycling socks, BNB blanket, and choice of a hoodie or cycling jersey!
- The home base for the Bike-A-Thon will be Stony Brook Field, located directly across the street from the Stony Brook MBTA station at 100 Boylston St, Jamaica Plain MA 02130. Riders will depart from Stony Brook in the morning, then return in the afternoon for lunch and an after party. Stony Brook is conveniently located on the MBTA Orange Line and the Southwest Corridor bike path.
Please note that the Orange Line will not be running during the Bike-A-Thon. See "Getting Here" under Ride Details here.
To see where each route goes, view the detailed information on Routes here.
You can arrive by bike, car, or public transportation. For detailed information, view Ride Details and scroll down to “Getting Here.”
Check-in and ride departures have staggered start times based on what route you are riding in. Riders generally return between 1:00pm and 4:30pm to have lunch and join the after party. We begin winding down and packing up at 5:30pm.
Click here for more information on check-in and start times.
View this information in detail under “Am I ready to ride?” under Preparing for the Ride on our Ride Details page here.
View detailed information on this under Ride Details here.
- Bring your helmet! All riders are required to wear a helmet.
- At least one water bottle
- A GPS device or smartphone with an app to view the Route you are riding. We recommend Ride With GPS and using their free 7-day trial to enable turn-by-turn directions.
- We also recommend bringing sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses, and a cycling cap with a visor are all good options.
- Please bring any needed inhalers, EpiPens or medication that you might need and keep it with you at all times during the ride.
- If you collected any donations in the form of cash or checks and you have not already turned them in, bring them with you! View detailed instructions on our event fundraising page here!
- Riders and volunteers with gluten, nut and other food allergies may want to bring some extra fuel for the day that suits their specific dietary needs. The same goes for those with food preferences, though some solid vegan and vegetarian options will be available.
- At Bikes Not Bombs we do our best to take care of our riders and volunteers, and at the Bike-A-Thon we'll have food and drinks on-hand to help make sure people are fueled throughout the day! The following is an overview of the menu, though it is subject to change:
- Morning check-in and set up
- Coffee, tea, bread, jam, peanut butter, yogurt, granola, energy bars, fruit, and water.
- Rest stops along the ride
- Fruit, bread, jam, peanut butter, energy bars, sports energy drink, and water.
- Lunch at the rider after-party
- Hearty catered lunch with plenty of water available. There will be many vegetarian and vegan options.
- Important Note:
- Riders and volunteers with gluten, nut and other food allergies may want to bring some extra fuel for the day that suits their specific dietary needs. The same goes for those with food preferences, though vegan and vegetarian options will be available.
All riders are required to wear a helmet while riding at the Bike-A-Thon. We are keeping up with all CDC recommendations with respect to COVID-19 safety precautions. We will communicate any necessary safety guidelines to all participants before the ride.
Don’t see an answer to your question? Please email Julia Karr at julia@bikesnotbombs.org for additional help.
2023 Bike-A-Thon Sponsors:
Are you interested in sponsoring this year's event? Please email Julia Karr at julia@bikesnotbombs.org.