Livestrong Challenges - 2010

[Possegal]

I remember earlier this year someone posting on their message board about the walk and the ride and if I recall they said it wouldn't cost them any extra to sign up to walk in addition to doing the ride. That board is no longer there, so can't verify it, but I remember telling my team that. Oh well. I'm worried I'll lose my walkers this year with the two day affair. Hopefully not. My team/family do make a real weekend of it, so hoping that won't change. I do understand the need to split the days given the mass quantity of folks. But it worked better for ME with it all on one day, and I'm all about ME.

If they hold true to the last few years, there will be a day in the spring where registration is $25. I've told my team to wait until then, even though I'm setting the team up today. Now if they don't do the half-off day, then I'm going to have to pay up for all of them. Well probably just for the 3 who tried to register today before I did.

I have a friend in WA who wants me to come out and ride the Seattle one. Do I dare sign up for both today? Am I that brave? That confident? Honestly, my biggest worry is the logistics of getting the bike out there. I guess I can deal with that later.

AHHH, edited to see that they are likely NOT going to have a discounted day like they have in other years. Just don't want anyone to wait and pay more. Looks like the $35 for today is actually for the month of December, rather than for just the first day.

[ny biker]

I'm trying to find an overview that lists all the dates and run/walk/ride options for each city, so I encourage friends to participate in whatever way works best for them. But it looks like you have to start to register in each city in order to get to the details.

I think I'll email them.

[Possegal]

Yeah, this set up isn't as user friendly and you do have to start the process before you see it all. I was shocked to see both a 5K walk and a 10K run. Some of my team will be happy with that, since 5K was never quite enough for them.

[ny biker]

I emailed them to ask how they plan to accommodate out-of-towners for the bike ride if the packet pickup closes at 2 pm on Saturday. This is what I got back. Frankly, it is not a sufficient answer. I already get up at 4 am to do this ride; I'm not getting up earlier just so I can stand in a long line waiting for my number. And then you have to pin it on your jersey while you're wearing it, which is a pain. And then you get stuck in the crowds trying to get back to your car because you have to drop off all the other crap that they give you. And then you get stuck in the crowds again working your way back to the start. Stupid plan. Inefficient waste of time.

I want to have everything in advance so I can get everything ready the night before. Getting it in the morning just makes it more likely that something will go wrong. And I guarantee this will mean the ride starts even later than it has in previous years, because there will still be people on line waiting for their numbers after the official ride start time has come and gone.

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Thanks for your note and for your continued support of the LIVESTRONG Challenge Philly. I hope you’re doing well today.

And thank you for taking the time to express your concerns below as they are valid and we understand that many of our riders come from out of town and make significant sacrifices to participate in our event. We sincerely appreciate your enthusiasm and effort. To help accommodate for the needs of participants like yourself, we will have a designated area at the Montgomery County Community College set up on Sunday morning from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. where you will also be able to claim your packet. Please arrive as early as possible. In addition, you can have someone come collect your packet for you so long as you understand that once we give your packet to that person we are no longer responsible for the contents therein. Were something to be lost, particularly the bib number, there is a chance that we may not be able to reassign you a bib number or replace the lost item.

I hope that helps to answer your questions, but if you have others feel free to get in touch with me at anytime. Thanks again for your support and dedication over the years. I look forward to seeing you in Philly.

Best,
Dylan

***********************

Dylan Trakas
Cancer Kicker, Team LIVESTRONG
Lance Armstrong Foundation
p 512.279.8366

f 512.347.1582
http://www.livestrong.org

From:
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 5:15 PM
To: Dylan Trakas
Subject: Question about the schedule

Hello,

I am registered for the 70-mile bike ride in Philadelphia. This will be my fifth year participating in the event.

However I am concerned about the schedule changes being made this year. I live in Virginia and will be driving up to the Philadelphia area on Saturday, August 21. Based on the schedule you currently have posted, the Livestrong Village will close at 2 pm on Saturday, and there's no way I would make it there for packet pickup before it closes.

What are the out-of-town riders supposed to do? As it is, I have to take a day off from work on Monday in order to drive back home after the event. I can't afford to take off Friday as well and pay for an additional night in a hotel just to pick up my rider number and other information on Saturday before 2 pm.

[Possegal]

That does really suck. My offer still stands - I will be there in plenty of time to pick up the packets for my team. And part of my team is doing the walk/run on Saturday. So if you needed, I could get your packet and you could pick it up from me either at the hotel I stay at, or in the morning at my team's "encampment" which is not hard to find because we have banners and two canopies. Keep in mind come August.