Bike Florida is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote safe cycling in the state of Florida.
PURPOSE OF TOUR
 Increase awareness for the ecotourism potential of bicycling in rural Florida
 Improve driver awareness for the safety of bicyclists
 Raise funds to support bicycle safety programs.
ABOUT THE RIDE
Bike Florida 2006 is a week-long fully-supported bicycle and tent camping tour pedaling approximately 343 miles in the beautiful North East Florida area. This year’s ride will start and end in Palatka, Florida and cyclists will ride 40-70 miles daily. The tour will again feature two layover days: in St. Augustine on March 20th and in Gainesville March 23rd allowing you to explore the towns and their surrounding areas on your own. The tour is leisurely-paced and is designed to be a fun and relaxing vacation for cyclists of all ages and abilities. Complimentary rest stops are set up approximately every 15-20 miles. We will use local park facilities and school grounds for tent camping where shower trucks and portalets will be set up. Indoor camping will be available on a limited space basis. A list of hotels and motels with rates and contact information is available on the HOTEL LIST link, however, riders must make their own arrangements and reservations. March in North Florida can be chilly, with average high temperatures around 70-75º F and lows in the 50’s, so come prepared to “layer”.
DAILY ACTIVITIES
Cyclists will have the opportunity to visit award-winning Florida state parks, historic sites, and world-famous attractions. You will ride along the St. John’s River, the Atlantic coast, and roads lined with beautiful oak trees covered with hanging Spanish moss. This is the season when the beautiful dogwoods and azaleas will be in full bloom displaying an array of colors! After the evening meal served on the grounds, entertainment can take the form of wildlife presentations, films, local music groups, or the annual rider talent show.
WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH REGISTRATION?
The registration fee entitles you to a souvenir T-shirt, one free lunch, route maps and cue sheets, entrance to campsites (tent or gym camping), week-long parking in Palatka, nightly entertainment, use of showers and bathrooms, rest stops (every 15-20 miles) – along with SAG support, bike repair support (parts are extra), baggage transportation to the overnight campsites and medical support.
TOUR COSTS & OPTIONS
Full week option:
$210 Adult Cyclist
$85 Child Cyclist (under 16 years of age)
(Children under 12 must be on a tandem or trailer bike)
$100 Non-Rider (see details below)
$25 late fee for registration received after January 15, 2006
4-day loop options:
$185 (Palatka, St. Augustine, Palatka, March 18-21)
$185 (Palatka, Gainesville, Palatka, March 21-24)
Other options will be available for purchase later:
 Meal plan (breakfast and dinner, dinner only, or breakfast only)
 Private vehicle permit for $25 (for vehicles moving daily with the ride)
 League of American Bicyclists Road I Course for $25
The registration deadline will be January 15, 2006. Registrations after that date will be taken IF SPACE IS AVAIALBLE and there will be a late fee of $25. Please call us or check the website before mailing your registration. Bike Florida’s 2003 and 2004 tours were sold out early, so register soon! Only 1,000 cyclists will be accepted for the 2006 tour. Tell your friends who might want to join the ride to check our website too. If they do not access the Internet regularly, print a copy of the registration form for them!
CREDIT CARDS & REGISTRATION
Online registration is now available through http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1264977
Please note that there will be an additional service fee added onto the registration cost.
REGISTRATION (Please click on registration to obtain a copy of the form. You would need to print it, fill it out and sign, and then mail the form to Bike Florida with correct payment.)
WAIVER FORM - ONLINE REGISTRANTS
The state of Florida requires that all participants sign a hard copy of the waiver form for it to be valid. If you registered online, we still need to collect a copy of the waiver with your signature. In an attempt to simplify things at the onsite registration, we ask that you mail a copy of this waiver form before the event. Please print out and sign the following waiver and mail it to the address found at the bottom of the form:
WAIVER FORM FOR ONLINE REGISTRANTS
REFUND POLICY
A $35 processing fee will be charged on all refunds. Refund requests MUST be in writing, stating reasons for refunds such as medical and emergencies. No refunds will be processed after February 17, 2006. There will be no exceptions. Event will take place rain or shine. We are not responsible for acts of God.
MEALS
All registered cyclists receive one lunch included with registration. All breakfasts and dinners will be served at or near the overnight camping locations. The following is for informational purposes only, do not order at this time (*prices are subject to change).
~ Full Plan at $104 (5 dinners, Sat-Thu, except Wed.; 6 breakfasts Sun-Fri)
~ Dinners only at $60 (5 dinners, Sat-Thu, except Wed.)
~ Breakfasts only at $44 (6 breakfasts, Sun-Fri)
~ A vegetarian option will be available.
~ 4-day tour meal options are availalbe (please refer to adds form)
Note: Meal plans will be added later via an order form that will be mailed (or also will be downloadable from our website) to those who are accepted for the ride. Cyclists will receive the list with meal descriptions and costs at a later date and will need to order and pay by February 17, 2006. Meals will NOT be sold at the event; all meals must be pre-ordered.
INDOOR CAMPING
All locations will have indoor camping. We typically utilize schools, parks or campground facilities. Some of the facilities may not be air-conditioned, but there will be LIMITED space for sleeping (available on first come first serve basis).
Note: you will need to bring a bike chain, lock and/or cover since bikes will NOT be allowed in any of the gyms. This is necessary for safety reasons and to allow more space for sleeping accommodations. The local schools, for example, which will be utilized for overnight camping, should have plenty of sidewalks, breezeways, and fences where you will be able to secure your bike. Affordable bike covers could be purchased from your local bike shop.
HOTELS AND LUGGAGE
A list of hotels, motels and Bed and Breakfasts will be available on our website in a few weeks. Hotel luggage information will be made available also. We do not have information about shuttle transportation from the hotels yet. As soon as arrangements are made we will add that information. There will be a charge for shuttle transportation between hotels and the camp sites.
NOTE: Schedules, activities, and fees are subject to change.
BIKE SHIPPING
Click on hte link above to obtain inormation.
AIRPORTS AND AIRPORT SHUTTLES
Cyclists can fly into the Jacksonville International Airport (approximately 69 miles to Palatka). Please indicate on the registration form if you need a shuttle. Information on the shuttle, inlcuding fees is avaialable on the adds form.
VEHICLE PARKING AND PERMITS
Per our staff security officer:
All vehicles at the overnight sites must have a registration sticker or the vehicle will be towed at the owner’s expense. People choosing not to utilize the designated lots are on their own to secure a parking location. You can leave your car in the designated parking area in Palatka (no additional cost; it’s included with registration). A vehicle permit of $25 will be provided for non-riders or vehicles traveling on the ride.
REST STOPS
Rest stops are designed for getting off the bicycle for a brief rest, to replenish fluids and your energy with water and/or a sport drink, and assorted fruits and snacks. The rest stops are not intended to provide a full meal.
NON-RIDERS AND VOLUNTEERS
Everyone must register for the event, even if you are not riding. If you would like to volunteer, please indicate that on your registration form. If selected as a volunteer you will be contacted with further instructions. In exchange for volunteer services non-riders may be entitled to a partial fee waiver, which will be processed after the event. The NON-RIDER fee option is in response to a request from non-riders in the past for a reduced fee. The NON-RIDER FEE will entitle you to an event T-shirt, route maps with directions to the different locations, access to camping, showers and restrooms, and entertainment.
NOT INCLUDED in the registration are daily rest stop foods/beverages, lunch, and a vehicle permit. If you’d like to have the one lunch and rest stop refreshments included, you would need to pay the full registration amount.
“ROLLING” ROAD I COURSE
This course is held in conjunction with Bike Florida’s 2006 Beach & River Ramble. Only Bike Florida registered participants will be eligible for this workshop. We will meet every afternoon. Our staff will carry your notebooks until the end of the week. By the end of the ride, you will have completed the course, taken your “road test” along the daily route, taken the written test, and received your certificate at the Thursday night entertainment. Participants will learn how to safely operate their bicycle in a variety of situations. This course is designed for even the most traveled and experienced cyclist.
The course will cost $25. Sign up details will be made shortly. If you have any questions about this course, please contact Lyndy Moore at sharetheroadinfo@earthlink.net, (407) 282-3245 or go to www.bikeleague.org/instructors/courses.cfm#FL
WEBSITE
Our website will be constantly updated to include information on what to bring, as well as maps and directions to the start of the ride, meal menus, ordering of jerseys, locations for overnight stays, etc. Click on this link to see if you are on the RIDER LIST
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Links will be available to check your registration status and see if your friends from last year have registered. If you mailed your registration form and your name is not on the list yet, please check back with us later. We are constantly updating the registrations as they are received by mail or entered online. Applicants will be entered in the order their applications are received by mail and electronically. Thank you for your patience!
FAQ
Frequenstly Asked Questions section is now available (click above).
BIKE FLORIDA CONTACT INFORMATION
P.O. Box 5295
Gainesville, FL 32627
Tel: (352) 392-6755
Fax: (352) 846-0404
info@bikeflorida.org
www.bikeflorida.org
NOTE: Schedules, activities and fees are all subject to change.
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