What: Richmond's 2nd Annual LARGEST Meetup Bike Ride and Picnic hosted by RideandRunRichmond.com

When: June 2nd, 2012. Arrive at 8am.

Where: Deep Bottom Park in Eastern Henrico

Cost: $5.00 a person. Read below to learn how to be free.

Skill Level: All skill levels are invited.

Join Ride and Run Richmond as it hosts its 2nd annual Richmond’s LARGEST Joint Meetup Bike Ride and Picnic. Several Meetup groups will come together to provide you with an opportunity to meet new people and HELP you to “Get Up, Get Out, and Get Active.”

There will be four biking distances to choose from, opportunity to learn about other Meetup groups in Richmond, a drawing for prizes and a bike, and a Potluck picnic afterwards. Read below for all the details.

The Meeting Spot 

Deep Bottom Park is located in the eastern part of Henrico County. The park provides plenty of parking, enough room for a picnic, restrooms, and an empty field if someone wanted to bring and play an outdoor game.

The park is also equipped with walking/running trails, (I haven’t been on them yet) a wetlands overlook, a boat landing, canoe launch, and a dock for fishing. Click HERE for Deep Bottom Park Map.

The Date

June 2nd at 8am sharp will be the date and time. Please try your best to be on time. The schedule is below. VERY SEVERE weather is the only thing that will cancel this event. But remember, Richmond is famous for its quick fifteen minute storms, so don’t let the weatherman discourage you. June 9th is rain date. Let’s pray it’s not needed.

The Registration

$5.00 a person - To be paid at the registration table the day of the event.

FREE to all Ride and Run Richmond members that are current on thier 2012 membership dues as of May 31st. 

To become a member, go to www.RideandRunRichmond.com and click "Join Us".

The Raffle

This year we have added something new. A chance for you to WIN A BIKE or other great bike related prizes. Because one bike doesn’t fit everybody, we are providing four different sized bikes for the winner to choose from.

 So far we have an XL Gary Fisher, a L Mongoose, a M IronHorse, and a S Torker that will be up for grabs. Plus T Shirts, Water Bottles, and other great bike stuff. I'll update the prizes as more comes.

The drawing for the raffle will be done during the picnic. You must be present to win. Raffle tickets are $5 for one, $10 for two, $15 for five. Buy them when you register.

The Ride 

The nearby roads will hopefully provide a safe riding experience for any riding level. They have low traffic, just a few hills, and are pretty straight roads so drivers can see you from far away.

Because there are so many different levels of riders, I’ve created an 18, 23, 30, and 42 mile distance to choose from. Click on the name to view the route.

The Easy 18 – An out and back with one scenic loop

The Taunting 23 – An out and back with two different loops included

The Thirsty 30 – An out and back with two very different scenic loops with one big hill.

The Fabulous 42 – An out and back that does some of the loops from above and then crisscrosses them with a few new roads included.

If at any point you feel that you need to cut the course short, there are several opportunities to do so.

A water/Power Bar snacks/rest area will be available somewhere between mile post 12 and 13 for each route. And mile post 36 for the 42 milers.

Required for Riding

Four things that is mandatory for riding.

1) YOUR HELMET! That’s a must!

2) A signed Waiver of liability and payment. 

3) Your common sense towards safety with motorists and other cyclists on the road. Please be aware that there will be some traffic, intersections, and maybe a pothole or two. PLEASE BE SAFETY CONSCIOUS.

A few other things you might consider for your ride are some water, sun block, and to dress weather appropriate.

Before the Ride

After everybody’s signed waivers and paid and is together, each organizer, or there representative, will get a chance to introduce themselves, talk about there group, and answer any questions. Organizers, when talking about your Meetup group, please include why you created your group and what’s your mission or goal(s)

After the Ride

You’re more than welcomed to leave, but please stay for some meeting and eating. We will be having a POT LUCK picnic. Meaning if you’re staying for the picnic, you should contribute. Do not worry what somebody else is bringing. Just bring something that you like to eat, that can feed you and a few more.

Tables will be available for the food to sit on. Bring your own chair.

Paper plates and cups will be supplied. We need someone to contribute to utensils.

Plenty of Country Time Lemonade will be supplied. Does anybody have any water coolers that could be used?

A gas grill will be available for those that want to cook their own food. Lot’s of ketchup, mustard, and relish will be supplied.

Schedule

Here is the schedule as of now.

8:00am: EVERYBODY ARRIVES. One you arrive, look for the table with the waivers, sign one, pay the amount, then start getting yourself ready.

8:30am: Everybody comes together and we go over the rules of the road, the routes, and a few points of interest. Cue sheets will be passed out.

8:40am: Organizers introduction.

9:10am: Prayer for safe riding and then head on out. The longer distance riders should leave first.

Somewhere between 11:30 and 12noon, we will bless the food and the picnic will start.

12:30pm: The drawing of the bike of your choice will be help. Must be present to win.

12:45pm: Clean up and mingle more

Extra info

Please RSVP with only one Meetup group. Feel free to write what you’re bringing to the picnic in the RSVP comment area.

If you have any questions or I left something out about this event, feel free to email me (Morgan) at [masked]

Thank You and I look forward to seeing you on June 2nd at 8am.