| Is this a race? Only if you want it to be. First and foremost it's your vacation. So if you want to race against your personal best, go for it. But if you want to stop every now and then to do some sightseeing, remember to take your camera. It's your trip across a state so diverse that its nicknamed "The Empire State", so make the most of it!
Do I have to be a member of a bike club to Sign-Up? Can single riders Sign-Up? The majority of bikers who sign-up come alone, but riding buddies and friendships quickly develop. The FANY Ride is the perfect size to meet other bikers.
How do I know if I'll have a good time on The Great Big FANY Ride? Attitude is everything. Please come if your friends use the word "fun" when describing you, and if you love to ride fast, or if you love to ride slow, or if you love to ride just so that you can eat fresh muffins again at the next farm stand. But please DON'T COME if you're looking for a fully pampered, fully supported, "foo-foo" type ride. The FANY Ride is a fantastic way to completely get away from everyday hassles, see the best parts of beautiful New York State, prove that "you've still got it", and meet a lot of fun people - both bikers and volunteers. Still can't decide? Check out photo albums and club reviews from previous FANY Rides.
Are the ride leaders fun? There aren't any ride leaders; The Great Big FANY Ride is all about the freedom to explore the back roads of New York State on your own! At registration you'll be given maps and cue sheets for each day's ride that will list directions, mileages, points of interest, food and restroom opportunities, etc. (At a minimum, you'll need an odometer on your bike.) Each morning you leave camp whenever you like, stopping as often as you like, and arriving at camp anytime before 6:00 p.m. FANY staff members and volunteers will be at camp and in the SAG wagons to answer any questions.
Is is true FANY doesn't have rest stops? Yup! For us, part of the exploring is visiting and supporting the Mom & Pop stores trying to make a living out there in the tiny towns we bike through. It's so much more interesting than eating the same snacks all week, and we think it's polite to visit the small businesses and bike stores holding up their communities. Don't worry, you'll know exactly how where they are on the cue sheets, usually about 12-15 miles apart. But it's your ride, so feel free to carry your own snacks if you wish. Or, if this is a real deal breaker for you, we'll be happy to suggest other rides that offer routine rest stops.
Can I just show up at the start? Only if you simply want to wave good-bye to the rest of us. Everyone who bikes, drives or volunteers must submit a Sign-Up Form by July 1. We'll e-mail you maps to the starting point so that you can find this fun-loving group of bikers. At the start in Niagara Falls you'll be required to sign a Release and then be given cue sheets, a stunning souvenir socks made just for you, dinner tickets and towels and hotel maps (if you opted for any of them,) and all the other information you'll need for a great week. Whew! So, we just gotta know by July 1 if you plan to join us.
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