FAQ

Q: What is the format of the RideOn2025 ride?

A: RideOn2025 is held on open roads and as such all riders are required to follow the rules of the road as if you were riding on your own any other day. This includes wearing helmets and abiding by the Motor Vehicle Act as it applies to bicycles. We will be allowing riders on to the route in small bunches to minimize the impact to traffic around the event. As required by law, riders are required to ride as far to the right as is practical and ride in single file.

See our Code of Conduct page for more information.

Q: Is the RideOn2025 event a race?

A: Absolutely Not! This event is all about people getting together for a fun and safe bike ride at their pace. This is about comradery and cancer research, not how fast you ride. There are no prizes of any sort for coming in first or doing the most distance or anything like that.

Q: Will I be required to sign a waiver?

A: Absolutely you will need to sign a waiver to be allowed to ride in this event.

Q: How much money do I need to raise?

A: We are setting the minimum fundraising target at $1,025.

Q: If I collect donations, do I still need to pay the entry fee?

A: Yes. The RideOn2025 event held by the Ride2Survive Society is operated entirely by volunteers with no paid staff. However we need to pay for things like the website, insurance for the event, rental of the start/finish location and other costs of running the event. The entry fee and some sponsorship contributions pay for all these things. We have no access to the donations at all. In this way, we ensure your donors’ funds are going ONLY to cancer research projects and not paying for any of the event costs.

Q: Is the RideOn 2025 event insured?

A: Yes. The Ride2Survive Society holds general liability insurance that covers this RideOn 2025 event.

Q: Will there be mechanical support for riders?

A: Yes. There will be a mechanics’ work station at the Start/Finish area. We plan to have volunteers on the route to help riders with minor issues such as flats to help them get back on the road quickly. If you are a single novice rider, it would be prudent to team up with some experienced riders who know how to fix flats, adjust gears or fenders, etc.

Q: What steps should I take to ensure my bike is safe and ready to ride?

A: Riders should arrange to have their bikes serviced at their local bike shop at least 2-4 weeks before the event. This time will allow any new cables and/or housing that are installed to wear in during training rides. A few days before the event the riders can either have their local bike shop fine tune the cables or do it themselves. In addition, the bike shop can assess chain wear to see if a new chain is required and possibly a new rear cassette. The shop will assess all the cable bolts for the proper torque, assess the bottom bracket, and headset for any play and make the necessary adjustments. They will check the wheels to ensure they are true, inflate the tires to the required pressure, ensure the brake pads or rotors with disc brakes are aligned properly and check the derailleurs for proper shifting.

Q: Why should I take my bike to the suggested retailers?

A: These retailers have a long history of supporting major cycling events within the province including the Ride to Conquer Cancer/Tour de Cure, Ride2Survive, Cops for Cancer (all 4 tours), Gastown Grand Prix, Valley Gran Fondo, etc. They will be providing mechanical support at the Start/Finish line as well as roving bike technicians on the road all because they believe in fighting cancer as much as any of the riders and will be volunteering their time and resources to ensure that every rider has a chance to accomplish their goals as safely as possible.

Q: Do I need to have bicycle repair tools with me during the ride?

A: Yes. You can find information regarding on the road repairs here:(link to Bicycle Repairs on the Road document)

Q: Do I need to have bicycle repair tools with me during the ride?

A: Yes. You can find information regarding on the road repairs here: Bike Repairs While Cycling

Q: What steps should I take after a crash?

A: Here is a useful video that outlines the steps you can take after a crash. Be sure that you are checked over first by one of your riding partners to determine if you have had an injury that precludes your further riding the course. To be extra careful, someone else can do the bike check for you since you may not be totally up to speed immediately after a crash. Inspect Bike CRASH DAMAGE Properly | Essential Safety Checks

Q: What kind of nutritional support will be provided?

A: Because the route is designed as North and South loops, riders can store coolers with their food and drink at the Start/Finish location and replenish as needed during the ride. Be sure to label your supplies.

Q: What type of nutrition should I be considering?

A: During Ride2Survive training rides, the riders were taught to eat regular food instead of relying on energy bars. While energy bars or packets provide quick relief with fast acting sugars for carbohydrate deficiency, they are not adequate for long distance rides. Humans mostly rely on glucose or fatty acids for energy support during exertion. Glycogen is a glucose storage molecule that provides energy to fast-twitch muscles during exercise and is commonly stored in muscles and the liver. However, once those stores are depleted during a climb or sprint, muscles then rely on fatty acids contained in lipids (fat) which are used by slow-twitch muscle cells. This is the form of energy that supports steady, continuous exertion like long distance running or cycling.

We would suggest foods that contain a mixture of complex carbohydrates, such as rice, potatoes or pasta along with fats, such as nuts, avocados, chocolates and protein, such as chicken, pork, etc. An excellent source of information for nutrition for exercising is The Feed Zone Cookbook by Biju Thomas and Allen Lim. There is a chapter specifically for making “portables” to eat during a ride. Ride2Survive riders loved the rice cakes! Another useful source is Whitewater Cooks at home by Shelley Adams. In particular, the energy balls used by the ski touring crowd were a big hit during the Ride2Survive.

Q: What kind of hydration should I use during the ride?

A: Water! Only water.

Q: What happens to the funds I raise and other cash donations?

A: The donations are used strictly for cancer research projects that are vetted through the Canadian Cancer Society. No amounts are set aside to offset the day to day operations of the Cancer Society or the expenses incurred to stage the ride. The former are covered by the Society’s operating budget and the latter are covered by rider registration fees and sponsorships.

Q: Can I enter the event on a bicycle or other vehicle that I have modified or a U build?

A: We require that bicycles used during the event are stock models that have not been modified and have been inspected to be roadworthy and provided with regular maintenance. We do not permit cargo bikes, trishaws, penny farthings, or novelty vehicles.

Q: Can I ride an e-bike?

A: Yes provided that it meets the conditions above.