Plus 3 Network raises funds when you ride and log

[SadieKate]

From the latest issue of RoadBikeRider:

Here's a way to make your miles worth money: The new Plus 3 Network lets you turn every ride into a fundraiser for the cause of your choice. After signing up, you log rides on the website or do it automatically via a GPS device. The Network credits your account as much as $0.02 per mile for road rides ($0.025 for mountain biking). Then every so often, the Network tells corporate sponsors how many Plus 3 members covered how many miles, and the sponsors write a check to your cause. Membership is free and allows you to count running, walking and swimming miles too. For details on this worthy new program, which was launched at Interbike in late September, click www.plus3network.com

I just clicked on the link and the front page has a lot of credible sponsors and causes. Each sponsor is linked to a specific cause such as Trek sponsoring The Brest Cancer Research Foundation and RockShox sponsoring IMBA.

The payout per mile is listed below with the first number representing a GPS logged activity and the 2nd for a hand entry of the activity. So GPS miles earn 10 times a hand entry.

Activity / GPS Upload / Hand Entry
Road Biking $0.02 $0.002
Mtn Biking $0.025 $0.0025
Running $0.035 $0.0035
Walking $0.05 $0.005
Swimming $0.2 $0.02
Other $0.01 $0.001

[Kalidurga]

Ya beat me to it, I just read about that in the latest RoadBikeRider e-letter

I love this idea. It almost makes me want to go out and buy a GPS so I can increase my charitable contributions. I would definitely suggest that anyone who's interested read the FAQ at the site, as the main screens don't fully explain the concept.

[SadieKate]

I'm loading activities now as the guinea pig. Wanna be my friend?

[Kalidurga]

Sure, we can be friends. I'm listed as T L Davis. Have you by any chance figured out how to change your cause/sponsor?

[SadieKate]

Hmm, I just briefly looked and couldn't figure it out.

However, unlike Pearl Izumi, Plus 3 Network has an excellent response time to customer questions. In the "make it better" section I found the email for this stuff and have already heard back.

Email: letitiadavis at plus3network.com

PS -- Just a note that Pedro's marketing manager also emailed me back within the hour when I sent a "bravo" note.

[maillotpois]

I'm signed up.

I guess I have to ride to get any credit...

[jobob]

Oooh, a good excuse to start using my Edge 305.

[Kalidurga]

I'm signed up.

I guess I have to ride to get any credit...

You could always go back and enter past rides to get a head start

[SadieKate]

But you have to do those manually. MP, you can upload any history files that are still in your Garmin but you may need to download the Garmin Connector plug-in first.

I can't figure out how to upload history from GTC back to my Garmin, and I always wipe the history immediately cause I don't like to deal with it trying to download everything each time I connect.

I now have 2 friends on +3N. Kewl.

Edit: make that 3 friends. Wicked Kewl.

Editing again: Jobob made it 4. Double Wicked Kewl.

[jobob]

could?

[SadieKate]

Happy, soon to also be an OF?

[jobob]

Way soon.

[Kalidurga]

I now have 2 friends on +3N. Kewl.

Edit: make that 3 friends. Wicked Kewl.

Editing again: Jobob made it 4. Double Wicked Kewl.

Just hope they don't essplode




Sorry, I'm bored and borderline giddy this evening. But I e-mailed Plus3 about changing sponsor & cause. I'll let y'all know if I get a reply.

[SadieKate]

Frends know gud humors when dey is hear it.

[jobob]

I noticed that the sponsors have upper limits on the amount the donate - either a per person amount ($20 or $25) or a total amount ($10,000).

I wonder, if you reach the maximum amount, if you'll be able to sign on with a new sponsor/charity.