WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

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NIGHT BEFORE INCLUDING HOTEL INFORMATION

  • You need to get yourself, your personal gear, and your bike up to Proctor either the night before or the morning of the Bike-a-Thon, by 7:00 A.M. Have a friend or family drop you off. If this is stopping you from joining the cause, let us know and we’ll work something out.
  • We will haul your personal bags, & camping gear; you need to get them to us at Proctor Americinn on Thursday night or Thompson Hill Information Center at 7:00 A.M. on Friday.
  • I’ll send an e-mail with reminders or new info. on Monday, May 14th so be sure to check it and your junk mail.
  • THURSDAY NIGHT HOTEL INFORMATION-You can stay in a hotel the night before,Thursday night, May 17th. (your expense) We encourage you to stay at AmericInn in Proctor. (part of Legacy Hotel Group, who helps organizations like Running For Justice; they train their staff to see sex trafficking in their hotels, etc)
  • They have sponsored us by giving our volunteer staff complimentary rooms; the bicyclists have reduced rates of $79.99 plus tax.
  • You call call directly and reserve a room, at 218-624-1026. Mention you are with Running For Justice; as long as there are rooms left they will give this reduced rate. 
  • IF you need a roommate let us know and we’ll give you a list. They have a hot-tub, pool and a restaurant!
  • OR ANOTHER OPTION is to come up early Friday morning, May 18th, by 7:00 A.M. meeting us at THOMPSON HILL INFORMATION CENTER! Communicate if you are doing this so we know what is going on!

    1st day

  • The 2nd Annual Bike-A-Thon will be started at the Thompson Hill Information Center, off I-35W & US-2 in Duluth, MN., on Friday May 18th, 2018, at 7:00 A.M. (leaving at 8:00 sharp) and we will bike over to the Buffalo House to get on the Willard Munger State Trail.
  • We will fill tires, take pics of each of you and your bicycle, and have a speaker for 10-15 min before we leave, from Men As Peacemakers, in Duluth!
  • If you are only riding the first day, that is the Willard/Munger Trail ride. It’s a beautiful, moderately easy ride to Hinckley, about 75 miles. We have a few rest stops to get snacks, rest room breaks and lunch, in designated parks and other areas. It’s not very hilly on the 1st day.
  • We have safety and first aid people, in vehicles close by; they can access you fairly quick, if an emergency.
  • We’ll be at Westside Park in Hinckley, by 3:00/4:00 P.M. We have supper there, so if you are just riding 1 day, your ride can pick you up there, about 6:00 P.M. or earlier if not staying for supper. 
  • FRIDAY NIGHT HOTEL & CAMPING INFORMATION-We have reserved 20 non-smoking rooms, with double beds, at Grand Northern Inn, in Hinckley; they are only reserved until April 21st for $99.00 night plus tax. They have a continental breakfast and a pool. Call ASAP 1-800-468-3517 and say  you are with Running For Justice or RUN0518.  You are free to stay elsewhere. Just tell us where.
  • CAMPING-We have decided to reserve (also paid for) the Westside City Park, in Hinckley, for camping, as hotels are not an affordable option for everyone. IF camping, you’ll need a tent, sleeping bag, pillow, & warm clothes; it’s cold at night. There are NO showers but there are restrooms with running water that are open all night. There is a pavilion, that locks, where you can put your bike. We’ll have our food team come over and feed you breakfast at 6:45 A.M. ish. Leave time to take down your tent, etc.

      2nd day 

  • Saturday, May 19th, we’ll meet at Westside City Park, where we had supper the night before, at 7:15 A.M. sharp. We need to fill tires, take pics of each of you and your bikes, etc.
  • We will depart from Hinckley at 8:00 A.M. We go to Highway 23, which we take all the way to Milaca. This stretch of road has its share of hills. You are going to need to train. We’ll have a rest stop, along the way. You are always free to take more stops; we give you a list of other places to stop, in case you have need. A car or two will be following the bicyclists with safety signs. We’ll also have a motorcycle following.
  • Lunch will be in Milaca, at the church we were at last year. They are excited to have us with them and will provide pizza and beverage!
  • After lunch we will go on 169 (8 ft shoulders; way safer than back roads) all the way to the last exit in Princeton, where we will take some back roads to our (Dave and Susie) home for a break.
  • Our last leg of the 2 day journey we take Co  Rd 1, all the way to our final destination.
  • You will be able to have a snack when you get back; plan to celebrate at 4:30 P.M. with a complimentary supper and a speaker. More info on front page. You do not have to stay for this but we hope you can! Invite others to come, as everyone is welcome!
  • Bring extra clothes if you want to change before the supper/speaker.

TRAINING, BIKE INFO, & WHAT TO BRING

  • We encourage you to train this winter, at the gym or at home with your bike up on a trainer, a few times a week; those that didn’t train last year decided that wasn’t a great idea; even young people were sore. Once you can train outside, try to get up to at least 40 miles a few times a week. It takes sacrifice for most all of us. 
  • We encourage you to have a riding partner; two is safer than one! We do watch out for each other!
  • You need to have a bicycle that is in good shape. (brakes, shifting mechanisms, tires,  wheels, handlebars) Have at least 2 extra tubes, in a backpack. (we’ll have someone who is able to change a tire if you don’t know how)
  • We encourage you to have your bicycle tuned up before the bike-a-thon.
  • If you are borrowing a bike, make sure it fits you. Bikes are made to fit a person of a certain shape and height.
  • All bicycle seats are different. More padding doesn’t make for easier riding. A good fit for your body is what makes it easier. 
  • You are required to wear a bicycle helmet; get one that fits you; you can also buy a rain cover, to go over your helmet, that is very reasonable ($10) and needed in rain.
  • You should be able to ride at least 12 M.P.H. NO MOUNTAIN BIKES; it’s too hard to ride those on the road.
  • You need to dress appropriately for the weather, bringing a jacket, layering your top shirts, (you will get a neon yellow short sleeve top you can wear over your long sleeve shirt or  jacket so you are seen once we go on the highways; or we have safety rain vests) rain gear, waterproof gloves and an extra pair of shoes and/or shoe covers, & extra socks.
  • It rained a lot the 2nd day, last year; a few people didn’t finish the 150 miles because they were too cold; your personal bags will be hauled in the back of a covered truck or trailer, so you should have access to them at our designated stops.
  • Keep your cell phone charged for any emergency.
  • Carry a small backpack to put necessary things in, including water, which we provide.
  • We’ll give you a map and approximate schedule. (everyone goes at different speeds)