Get excited because the 2012 Cascade events are scheduled to roll! We know the registration process was a problem in January, and we do not want to repeat that experience. In order to offer smooth service to event riders, we’ve made some improvements to the event registration process for the 2012 season.
Member benefit: early event registration
We continue to thank Cascade members for their support by offering early registration for our events in January, ahead of the crowd. Online registration opens to current Cascade members on Tuesday Jan. 10 and to the general public Tuesday, Feb. 7. Be sure to read the following carefully to ensure a smooth registration process. Not a member? Join today.
Lottery for RSVP1, RSVP2 and Regional Tours
Registration for the 2012 regional tours, RSVP1 and RSVP2 will be handled by a lottery system. The lottery will remain open for application for several weeks as indicated on the schedule below. You can enter the lottery at any time until it closes, and there is no advantage to registering on the first day. Lottery draws will be random.
10/26 UPDATE: RSVP lottery procedures: You can enter both RSVP lotteries, but you will only be drawn for one event. RSVP1 will be drawn first. If your name is in both lottery pools, and you win RSVP1, your name will be removed from the RSVP2 lottery. The RSVP2 lottery draw will take place after the RSVP1 draw is complete. This will give participants a better chance of being drawn.
If you prefer one event, you should only enter the lottery for that event. If you don’t have a preference, you’re welcome to enter both lottery pools.
So to recap, these are your options for the RSVP lotteries:
- RSVP1 only
- RSVP2 only
- Enter both RSVP1 and RSVP2. We will draw RSVP1 first and if you make it in we will remove your name from the RSVP2 drawing.
Ride with your friends
We know you want to do these events with your friends and family members. The RSVP lotteries will allow you to have up to six current members per entry. Regional tours will allow up to four per entry. This way, if your lottery entry is drawn, everyone in your party will get into the event.
Note: We expect RSVP1, RSVP2 and the regional tours to sell-out during the lottery. In order to participate in the lottery and advance registration dates, your Cascade membership must be current. Renew online today.
Staggered registration dates
We believe that the following schedule will provide a better online registration experience for all event riders.
Registration for 2012 events will occur as follows:
Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012
- Members-only registration for Chilly Hilly, Flying Wheels, STP, and RAW opens.
Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012
- Members only lottery for regional tours 1 – 5 and 9 opens, with one lottery per tour.
Friday, Jan. 27, 2012
- RSVP 1 & 2 lotteries close.
- Registration process details will be sent with notification of lottery draw.
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012
- RSVP 1 & 2 registration for lottery winners opens.
- Public registration for Chilly Hilly, Flying Wheels, STP, and RAW opens.
Friday, Feb. 10, 2012
- Regional tours lotteries 1- 5 and 9 close. Registration process details will be sent with notification of lottery draw.
Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012
- Members only lottery for regional tours 6 – 8 and 10 opens, with one lottery per tour.
Friday, March 16
- Regional Tours 6 – 8 and 10 lotteries close.
- Registration process details will be sent with notification of lottery draw.
Friday, March 23, 2012
- Regional tours lotteries 6 – 10 close. Registration process details will be sent with notification of lottery draw.
Tuesday, Mar. 27, 2012
- Registration for High Pass Challenge and Kitsap Color Classic opens.
Let us know in the comments if you have any questions by emailing support@cascadebicycleclub.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my membership is current?
If you receive the Cascade Courier in the mail, your expiration date and membership number are printed on the mailing label. Be sure to check that your membership will be current on Jan. 10 when registration opens. Not sure? Email support@cascadebicycleclub.org or call the Cascade office at 206-522-3222.
Where can I find my membership number and expiration date?
You can find your member number on your membership card and on the label of your Courier.
How do the RSVP and RSVP2 lotteries work?
There are two separate lotteries. You can enter each lottery only once, either with a group or as an individual. You can only win one of the lotteries, not both.
There is a maximum of six riders on a single group entry. For example, a group of six may enter as one entry OR they may enter as two different entries of three, etc…
How do the Tours lotteries work?
Each tour will have its own lottery. You may enter each lottery only once, either with a group of four as an individual. You can win any tour lottery you enter.
What is needed to enter a lottery?
For existing members: first name, last name, and member number for everyone on your entry.
You need to be a member before you may enter a lottery.
Is there a rush to enter the lotteries?!?
No, there is absolutely no rush. All lotteries are open for 16 days.
If I enter a lottery, am I guaranteed registration?
No, winners of a lottery will be notified via e-mail. Winners must then follow the instructions in the e-mail to complete their registration and make payment.
How do I register for the events?
Visit the Cascade website at shop.cascade.org. Click on “Events & Rides” at the top. Click on the event name, then click the “registration” link on the left-hand sidebar. The link will take you to a page detailing the registration process for the event you’ve chosen.
I’m not a member, but I want to join to participate in members-only registration.
The easiest way to join is to visit our website at shop.cascade.org and then click on “Renew your membership” on the left. It is recommended to join online before Jan. 10, but don’t despair! You’ll be able to join on Jan. 10.
Can my friends who are not Cascade members register for events in Jan.?
Encourage your friends to join the Club! Only current Cascade members are invited to register for Cascade events during January. Members-only registration is one of the ways we thank our members for supporting our work, in addition to offering member benefits.
Can I register my friends for an event?
Nope, you can’t. If you have a household membership, however, you can register anyone listed on your membership for an event. If you have an individual membership, you’ll be able to register minors who aren’t members after registration is open to non-members, but you won’t be able to register another adult. Remember, household memberships are for people residing in the same home.
How can I add family members to my household membership so that we can all register in January?
The easiest way is to e-mail us at support@cascadebicycleclub.org or give us a call at 206-522-3222, and we’ll take care of it for you.
Is everyone in my family covered under the same membership number?
No, if you have a household membership, each person in your household has a unique membership number. It’s best if you have all the numbers on-hand when you register. Feel free to e-mail support@cascadebicycleclub.org or call the office to confirm that all your family members are listed on your membership.
Will the office be closed for a holiday break?
Yes. The office will be closed from Dec. 24 – Jan. 2. We’ll reopen for business on Jan. 3, so you’ll still have a few days to contact us with questions before registration opens. Our regular office hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
When can non-members register for events?
Event registration opens to the public on Tuesday, Feb. 7.
Can I request a certain bib number?
We do not guarantee any bib number. Being the first to register does not guarantee any bib number.
Can I transfer an event registration?
No. Additionally, all event registrants check a “No Transfer” agreement when registering.
Can I transfer a RAW or Tour registration?
Yes, with the approval of the specific tour leader. To complete a transfer, upon original registration and full payment, you need a transfer form, a new registration form for the new rider, and a $100 fee. All paperwork and the fee must be coordinated and received no later than 10 days before the start of a tour.
What are the 2012 event dates?
They are all listed online.
Can I register for events at the Seattle Bike Expo?
Provided that an event or tour is not sold out, you will be able to register for it at the Seattle Bike Expo on March 11 – 12. We are not holding bibs for sale at Bike Expo, so if it sells out prior to March 11, you will not be able to register at the show. High Pass Challenge and Kitsap Color Classic will open for registration after Seattle Bike Expo on March 27.
Members give us the power to push for the bike lanes, trails, sharrows and racks that make your ride better – and event registration fees support Cascade programs that get more people riding. When you join, ride or donate, you’re aiding us in our quest to create safer, more livable communities through bicycling. Thank you for your support, and ride safely this winter!
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There will be one less person trying to get into the RSVP ride this year. After last years screw-up, and this years response how it will be done, there is no reason for me to renew my membership and put up with this sillyness.
Thanks for the “ride with your friends” option.
I’m intrigued and hoping this is an improvement. I was one of those folks that got an RSVP ticket but then dropped withouth the rest of my group to ride with.
Since that’s a lot of dates to remember, I know I’ll appreciate the continuing reminders in the Braking News, etc.
thanks for the improvements, RSVP is the premier ride for me and my husband. Thank you for giving everyone an opportunity to ride this absolutely fabulous ride.
Anything has to be better than last year’s registration nightmare.
I beg you to reconsider this system for the RSVP. It is not a good solution.
For one thing, you will not be to able see how the first-come system would work when there are two rides planned ahead of time.
Why not use the same first-come system as last year, and see how it functions with the doubled capacity? At worst, it will still be twice as good as previous years.
Second, if I understand correctly, grouping up with friends means that we all pool into one entry in the lottery. This means that the more friends I ride with, the more we all reduce our odds. As a group, we have the same odds of winning as a solo rider.
This new system may not be needed, it eclipses one that is probably better and it introduces whole new problems and aggravations.
Please give last year’s solution a chance.
Thank you.
Tom,
As I understand the plan, each member of group will be able to enter a lottery under their name (as long as they are a current member) and list other group members; therefore, the odds for a group will not be diminished This will need to be more clearly addressed in future publications/communications.
Thanks Lamar. There will need to be clarity then on just what exactly a grouped entry in the lottery does accomplish.
It’s still bad solution to what may not even be a problem.
The grouped entry was developed for RSVP2 2011 in response to complaints by many successful RSVP1 registrants that their friends had not been successful in registering and that they did not want to ride without them. Believe us, IT WAS A PROBLEM.
The grouped entry insures that all of your group (up to 6) are able to register and ride. Please note that: (1) if your group “wins” the lottery, all are not required to register in order for others in the group to do so; and (2) if one of your group chooses not to register, their “right to register” CANNOT be transferred to someone else.
So Lamar, what would you suggest if we have a group of about 15 that wants to ride together? It seem like if we assemble into groups of 6, some may make it in and some may not, making riding together as we have for years and years now a thing of the past. What should we do?
some PERSONAL observations based on 11 years involvement as a VOLUNTEER (not staff) involved in RSVP registration: in 2011 MY best guess is that there were about 2500 riders competing for 1400 spots in RSVP1, and RSVP2 did not sell out during the lottery phase; this year I’M estimating 2200 in the RSVP1 lottery and 1500-1800 in the RSVP2 lottery.
do the math and decide what will give the greatest number of your group a chance to ride: three groups of five, five groups of three, or all entering both lotteries individually.
10/27 UPDATE/CORRECTION: it will NOT be possible for each member of a group to enter the group in the lotteries — a name may be entered into the lottery only once, whether as an individual or as one of a group. the odds will be minutely better as part of a group: as a member of a group of 4 in a lottery with one other individual or group, the odds of being selected/winning are 1 in 2 or 50%; as 4 individuals in a lottery with one other individual or group, the odds are 1 in 5 or 20%; obviously, in a lottery with 2000+, the difference will be insignificant.
If you don’t want to do the lottery, check out Bark Fooey. Same ride just less people and a lot less money.
barkfooey.blogspot.com/
I don’t see updated dates for the regional tours like the Washington, Glacier, etc. tours and not sure I understand how the lottery works any differently for members vs. the non-members as they register at different times but the lottery is the same?
Thanks.
I’m new to CBC and haven’t ridden in any of the events in the past. Reading the above process I’m a bit confused and could use some help understanding the process.
I’m interested in registering for the Chilly Hilly, the Flying Wheels, and the STP only. Is there an RSVP1 and RSVP2 for each individual event?
It says above, “You can enter both RSVP lotteries, but you will only be drawn for one event.” If I enter for the first event of the year, the Chilly Hilly, and my name is drawn during the RSVP1 lottery, does this mean I’m not eligible to participate in the Flying Wheels and STP later in the year?
Thanks
Kevin — actual tours and dates for 2012 will be finalized sometime in the next couple of weeks and posted on the website. only cascade bicycle club members will be allowed to enter the lotteries; should a tour have spaces still available after all lottery entrants have been accommodated, then that tour will be opened to the general publlic.
Brian — none of the events you are interested in have a lottery and none will be affected by the lotteries. Chilly Hilly and Flying Wheels do not sell out and have “Day of Ride” walk-up registration (you save between $5 and $8 by pre-registering.) STP will sell out; last year it did so in mid-March, and this year i’m advising riders that it could sell out prior to opening to the general public on 2/7.
RSVP1 and RSVP2 refer to the “Ride from Seattle to Vancouver (BC) and Party”; because they have become so popular and have a rider limit of 1400 each, it has become necessary to use a lottery system — same for the the club’s “Regional/Local Tours”.
Brian, I would not worry to much about the STP selling out. You can ALWAYS get these tickets on craigslist usually for 1/2 the price. You just need to be patient. Trust me, once the event gets closer to the ride date tickets will go down usually by half. Don’t panic to much if the event sells out.
All event registrants sign a “No Transfer” agreement; so, any registrations for sale are “buyer beware”. Should there be enough requests for refunds, event registration may reopen for those limited spots approximately 29 days prior to an event. Again, if you wish to be insured of a spot in STP, register by 2/7.
Trying to get clear on how the RSVP lottery & registration works.
Jan 11, 2012 – RSVP Lottery Registration starts
Jan 27, 2012 – RSVP Lottery Registration closes
Feb 7, 2012 – Registration for lottery winners begins
I have a group who want to do the RSVP togheter.
* Do all members of the group have to be CBC members?
* Is it true that only CBC members can register for the lottery?
* Can every member of my group can register for the lottery?
* When are fees payable? After Feb 7 when lottery winners are notified?
* How much are the fees?
Rich — for official details, see http://blog.cascade.org/2011/10/event-registration-procedures/
for updates, subscribe to “Braking News” http://www.cascade.org/About/ebulletin.cfm
answers to your questions:
* Do all members of the group have to be CBC members? YES
* Is it true that only CBC members can register for the lottery? YES
* Can every member of my group can register for the lottery? EACH PERSON CAN ONLY BE ENTERED IN A LOTTERY ONCE – EITHER INDIVIDUALLY OR AS A MEMBER OF A GROUP
* When are fees payable? WHEN ACTUALLY COMPLETING THE REGISTRATION PROCESS, After Feb 7 when lottery winners are notified? YES
* How much are the fees? TBD – probably a $5-10 increase over the $95 for 2011 member registration
Will one still be able to register for STP at Bike Expo?
That’s still being discussed because there’s a good chance that it will sell out before EXPO. (It sold out this year in mid-March, the earliest on record and almost a month earlier than 2010. I think it could sell out during “member’s only” registration, 1/10/12-2/6/12.)
I am trying to get clear about the RSVP lottery. I have a group (less than 6 people) who want to do the ride this year. How should we register? Seems like there are a couple options.
Option 1:
One group entry with all names, request to ride either RSVP1 or RSVP2.
Option 2:
Multiple entries. Each member of my group registers as the point of contract for their own group with all groups having the same members. i.e. 6 groups but only 6 total riders.
Rich G — Option 2 will not work. EACH PERSON CAN ONLY BE ENTERED IN A LOTTERY ONCE – EITHER INDIVIDUALLY OR AS A MEMBER OF A GROUP
Lamar Bass says:
Monday, October 31, 2011 at 12:42 pm
10/27 UPDATE/CORRECTION: it will NOT be possible for each member of a group to enter the group in the lotteries — a name may be entered into the lottery only once, whether as an individual or as one of a group. the odds will be minutely better as part of a group: as a member of a group of 4 in a lottery with one other individual or group, the odds of being selected/winning are 1 in 2 or 50%; as 4 individuals in a lottery with one other individual or group, the odds are 1 in 5 or 20%; obviously, in a lottery with 2000+, the difference will be insignificant.
Please note that: (1) if your group “wins” the lottery, all are not required to register in order for others in the group to do so; and (2) if one of your group chooses not to register, their “right to register” CANNOT be transferred to someone else.
How you register depends on whether each and every one of you ONLY wants to ride if ALL of the group can go; or, if the group will ride even if one or more don’t make it in.
AND, if it doesn’t matter to your group whether you ride Fri-Sat or Sat-Sun, then enter both lotteries.
10/26 UPDATE: RSVP lottery procedures: You can enter both RSVP lotteries, but you will only be drawn for one event. RSVP1 will be drawn first. If your name is in both lottery pools, and you win RSVP1, your name will be removed from the RSVP2 lottery. The RSVP2 lottery draw will take place after the RSVP1 draw is complete. This will give participants a better chance of being drawn.
Going for a bike ride is getting more and more complicated every year!
“Going for a bike RIDE” is actually easier.
With the increase in the numbers cycling, getting into “events” IS getting more difficult — eventually, all events “max out” (RAMROD went to a lottery ~7 years ago!)
Just for the record, I think the RSVP 1 & 2 lottery and rules are ridiculous. There was so much hue and cry last year by the people who weren’t able to register that Cascade did an RSVP2. Will there be an RSVP3 when all the complaints come in about this new registration system?
I’m not opposed to a lottery, but I think each member should get to enter and get to have a number (3 or 5) of member entries they can distribute to their friends who are members. (Which is what I believe Lamar originally posted.) That way it would increase your odds of getting in. You still would only get to register once and you’d still have to be a member. If more than one person in your group got selected they’d relinquish their other entries. That seems more fair to me.
At least in previous years you could be rewarded for getting up early and/or being diligent enough to register when the process started. With this new system if my group isn’t fortunate enough to have our entry drawn we are out of luck and we don’t ride.
Just for the record, I think the RSVP 1 & 2 lottery and rules are ridiculous. There was so much hue and cry last year by the people who weren’t able to register that Cascade did an RSVP2. Will there be an RSVP3 when all the complaints come in about this new registration system?_______YEP!
“Just for the record”: RSVP2 was not added because of the “hue and cry” but because the new web-based registration system failed to work as advertised and the staff felt that they wanted to do the best they could to “service” those victimized by circumstances that were totally unforeseen.
“Will there be an RSVP3…?______” nope. (will there be an increase in the 1400 rider limit? only if there is an increase in the number of beds available in Bellingham AND a relaxation of the customs and immigration rules for the return border crossing.)
Quoting Lamar: “”Just for the record”: RSVP2 was not added because of the “hue and cry” but because the new web-based registration system failed to work as advertised and the staff felt that they wanted to do the best they could to “service” those victimized by circumstances that were totally unforeseen.”
Two points:
1. Are you saying that even if there had not been all the griping on Facebook and your own community boards that you STILL would have had an RSVP2 last year? Without complaints? I commend the staff and volunteers for trying to make it right because the new system did fail, but I find it disingenuous for you to say that RSVP2 wasn’t a response to the anger and complaints about the registration system.
2. This is a “new registration system” that may well “fail to work as advertised”. (Although this thread proves that it is not “totally unforeseen”.) Therefore the previous question is valid: will there be an RSVP3 when people who don’t get to ride complain?
We have capacity to do only so many events. And each event has only so much capacity. Though it’s clear that all our members cannot ride RSVP1 and 2 combined (nor STP for that matter), there are no plans, discussions or hints for RSVP3. Offering a lottery levels the playing field so that all members who wish to ride the RSVP events have a fair shot. If they do not sell out through lotteries, then the general public is invited to register for the open spots.
As for new events, we have a wonderful new ride this year on June 30, the Red-Bell 100, which is a one-day century pledge ride to benefit Cascade youth programs and World Bicycle Relief. See page 1 of the December Cascade Courier for info to date:
http://blog.cascade.org/2011/12/cascade-courier-december-2011/