Directions and maps to the start of the rides are available under "News" at the top of this page.

What to Pack

Here are some suggestions about what to pack, what to have with you on the ride, what to put in your luggage, and what you'll want back in your car at the end of the ride.

Before the Ride: 

White copy of your pledge sheets with at least $200 in pledges.

During the Ride:

b Tools	Spare tube – make sure it’s the right size, with the correct type of valve
	Tire “irons”
	Hand pump (with correct end to suit your valve type) and/or CO2 cartridges with inflator
	Patch kit
	Allen wrench set or other tools you need for minor adjustments
b Clothing	Cycling gloves
	Rain gear – if it doesn’t look like rain, put this in your SAG bag for Sunday
	Windbreaker
	Helmet
	Dow/TCC Team Jersey
	Bike shorts
	Cycling socks – cool max, not cotton
	Cycling shoes
b Other	2 water bottles – fill them at your hotel or at home
	Cash, credit card, ID
	Bike computer........ with many miles of use
	Sun block lotion

In your "SAG"Ged Luggage:

b Dow/TCC MS150 Team T-shirt - wear this at dinner so our team stands out from the crowd
b Clean clothes and comfortable shoes for evening
b Laundry soap to hand wash your Dow/TCC Team Jersey
b A plastic clothes hanger to hang your jersey while it dries
b Toiletry kit
b Robe and slippers, or thongs, T-shirt and gym shorts - something to wear to get you from your room to bathrooms down the hall if staying in a dorm
b Something to read for the 10 seconds before you fall asleep
b Wrist watch
b Alarm clock
b Clean cycling socks
b Clean cycling shorts
b Clean, dry cycling gloves
b Clean sports bra (for those who need one...)

In a Gym Bag in your Car:

b Towel
b Toiletry kit
b Clean clothes and shoes

What to Do the Day of the Ride

b Eat a good breakfast (don’t overload though, avoid fatty foods eg. bacon and eggs). Take advantage of  free continental breakfasts (bananas, cereal, bagels, etc.).

b Fill your water bottles, apply sunscreen, check bike tires and that you have pump, tools and tubes, ….

b Drive to the ride start in plenty of time so not rushed. Try to get there by 7am (but don’t panic if you don’t make it until later – just drive safely).

b Registration opens at 7am. If you don’t already have your rider number, jersey, etc. you can pick them up at the Dow/TCC team table. You must hand in the white copy of your sponsor form. You can hand in $$ if you want (at the Society table, not the Dow/TCC table). Put checks (no cash) in an envelope with your name, Dow/TCC team, and amount enclosed. You can also mail the money after the ride. Just don’t forget to turn it all in!!

b Fill out the health information on the back of your rider number and pin it on the back of your jersey.

b Put your luggage tag on your bag and take it to the baggage truck (they’ll throw it in the truck so don’t pack anything breakable).

b Team photo will be taken at the ride start at 7:45 sharp!!

b Get your bike, helmet, remember to do some stretching…….

b Team starts begin at 8:10 with team GM, followed by our Dow/TCC team at 8:15, then the rest of the major teams and other riders. If you’ve never been at a team start this is must!. There’s lots of excitement and fun so please stick around and join us for the start. But be careful though – look out for other bikes, people clipping in, etc.

b Stop at the rest stops as frequently as you need (available every 10-15 miles). It’s always a good idea to grab something to eat (bananas, power bars, cookies) and drink (water or Gatorade), stretch a bit, and use the “facilities”.

b Flag down a SAG wagon if you need help or a ride to the next rest stop.

b The lunch stop will be about half way. You’ll reach it before “normal lunch hours” but enjoy the food, company and the short rest.

b Drink, drink, drink…. Two water bottles or a 'camelback' is a must.

b The last rest stop will have a good amount of food. Stock up because there won’t be any major food available until dinner.

b You’ll see the Dow/TCC team tent as you come around the last corner of the ride. Stop by for cookies and drinks and to be congratulated by your fellow riders.

b Shower, put on your Team Jersey, and ahhhh… relax with new friends, get a massage, and cheer on teammates pedaling in.

b Rinse out that jersey, squeeze, and hang it to dry in the dorm room. You want it nice and fresh for Day 2!

b Dinner starts around 5pm. After dinner most of us head out to celebrate the end of a long day (e.g., at the New Holland Brewery or other suitable establishment).

b Sunday morning freshen up and get dressed (don’t forget to put on your team jersey), get down to breakfast, return to get gear, load on truck, turn in any keys and by 7:30 you’re on the road again!!

b Arrive at the end!! Stash your bike, get a drink and dinner, register for a massage, shower (at Grand Rapids – bring a towel), get your massage, tell everyone how you would’ve ridden 25 mph the whole way but had to wait for your friends…

b The drive home is sometimes the hardest part of the weekend. Make sure your “co-pilot” stays awake to keep you company on the long drive back. Drive safely.

 

Hotel Information

Grand Rapids

Hampton Inn 755 54th Street SW Wyoming, MI 49509 616-261-5500 or 1-800 426-7866	Hampton Inn 4981 28th St. SE (616) 956-9304	Holiday Inn Express 6569 Clay SW Byron Center MI 49508 (616) 871-9700
Days Inn 5500 28th St. SE 616-949-8400	Budgetel Inn                  2873 Kraft SE 616-956-9304	Amerihost 7625 Caterpiller Ct. 616-827-9900
Holiday Inn South 255 28th St. 616-241-6444	Quality Inn 4495 28th St. SE 616-956-8080

Lake Fenton

Holiday Inn Express: 810-232-5300, 6.4 miles from Lake Fenton High School, rooms start at $90 per night.	Residence Inn by Marriott: 810-424-7000, 6.8 miles from Lake Fenton High School, rooms start at $139 per night	Courtyard by Marriott:  810-232-3500, 6.8 miles from Lake Fenton High School, rooms start at $139 per night.
Holiday Inn: 810-232-5300, 6.9 miles from Lake Fenton High School, rooms start at $139 per night