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.
Archive for the ‘RSVP’ Category
Share the Road advisory — RSVP bike events
Thursday, July 28th, 2011 by M.J. KellyCascade Bicycle Club presents the 30th Annual
Ride from Seattle to Vancouver BC and Party
Nearly 3,000 cyclists will ride the scenic roads
from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. on Aug. 5, 6 and 7
Who: Cascade Bicycle Club
What: 30th Annual RSVP – Ride from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. & Party bicycle event
When: Two start days from Seattle:
Start 1: Friday, Aug. 5 through Saturday, Aug. 6
Start 2: Saturday, Aug. 6 through Sunday, Aug. 7
Where: Multi-day, 188-mile ride begins at the University of Washington’s E1 parking lot near Husky Stadium in Seattle and ends at the Coast Plaza Suite Hotel in downtown Vancouver, B.C.
Share the road advisory: On both Friday and Saturday, 1,400 bicyclists will depart from the University of Washington Husky Stadium area between 6 and 7 a.m. Cyclists will head north on 35th Ave. NE and SR 522/Bothell Way NE before entering the Burke-Gilman Trail at Logboom Park in Lake Forest Park. See route map for the first 7.5 miles out of Seattle. (UPDATED 7/29)
They will continue traveling north for a total of 106 miles, passing through the following communities: Bothell, Woodinville, Clearview, Snohomish, Lake Stevens, Arlington, Mount Vernon, Bow and Bellingham.
Cyclists will spend the night in Bellingham, then cross the border into Canada and pass through the following communities in British Columbia on their way to Vancouver: Lynden, Fort Langley, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Burnaby. The second day’s distance is 86.5 miles.
Day 1 rest stops are scheduled for mile 36.5 at Machias Station in Snohomish County and mile 75.3 in at the Centennial Elementary School in Mount Vernon.
Day 2 rest stops are scheduled for mile 43.6 at the Lion’s Hall in Fort Langley and mile 66.4 at Rocky Point Park in Port Moody.
Event participants are advised to ride safely and courteously and are required to follow all traffic laws.
Details: On August 5 through 7, Cascade Bicycle Club will host its annual Ride from Vancouver B.C. and Party (RSVP) bicycle event. This exclusive event is capped at 1,400 riders and sold out this year within 24 hours of opening.
In response to the ride’s popularity, which has grown steadily since its inception, Cascade added a second RSVP event, dubbed RSVP2, for the first time this year. RSVP2 riders will follow an identical route but will depart from the Seattle start line one day after the first wave of RSVP riders. This arrangement will allow nearly 3,000 bicyclists to enjoy the beautiful scenery and intimate rider experience for which the RSVP is popular. Registration for both events is closed.
History: RSVP was held for the first time in 1980, when the eruption of Mount St. Helens made for uncertain road conditions in southwest Washington, disrupting the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic (STP), Cascade’s cornerstone event. The event lapsed in 1982 and was canceled in 1986 due to The World’s Fair Expo in Vancouver. This year, therefore, marks the 30th anniversary RSVP event.
The current ride bears little resemblance to the original bike tour, which spanned three days and had merely 40 participants, but RSVP remains a popular alternative to the 10,000-rider STP for many riders, who prefer the ride’s smaller size, experienced riders, limited road support and challenging route.
About Cascade Bicycle Club
The RSVP event is produced by and benefits the Cascade Bicycle Club, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. Founded in 1970, Cascade Bicycle Club is a 14,000+ member, nonprofit organization based in Seattle, Washington, serving more than half a million cyclists in the Puget Sound community. The club is operated by a volunteer Board of Directors, 28 professional staff and thousands of volunteers. More information about Cascade Bicycle Club’s advocacy, commute, education and riding programs is available online at www.cascade.org or by calling (206) 522-3222.
# # # #
Media contact: M.J. Kelly
Director of Communications and Marketing
Cascade Bicycle Club
(206) 853-2188 / (206) 522-3222
m.j.kelly@cascadebicycleclub.org
How to score a spot in the STP
Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 by Erica Meurk
You probably know that the Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic sold out in April. But you may not know that you can still register, if you know how to do it.
Luckily, I’m here to give you the inside scoop. Here are your options, in no particular order:
1) Participate in our eBay auction to benefit the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation. Two registrations are currently open for bidding, with seven more to come. All eBay auction winners will receive a coveted low bib number — and we’re even throwing in free food and beverages at the Finish Line Festival in Portland. Plus, the amount of any winning bid exceeding the usual $100 STP registration fee is a tax-deductible donation to the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation, so you can feel good about spending a few extra bucks. Bidding on the tenth and final registration will close on Friday, June 10, so place your bid now!
2) Wait and see. If you’d prefer to take your chances, you can wait until June 13 at 10 a.m., when STP registration may or may not reopen to the public with registrations that have been returned. Last year, those returned registrations sold out in just six minutes, so mark your calendars! (Remember, any rider wishing to take advantage of the Group Health STP refund policy has until Thursday, June 9 at 11:59 p.m.)
3) Volunteer! We save a few STP registrations for dedicated volunteers. If you have time to spare this spring, you can earn a registration by clocking 24 hours (or more!) working at Cascade events or in the office. Members can check their Cascade Courier newsletter, and anyone can contact Diana Larson for details about volunteer opportunities.
If all else fails, you should consider registering for RSVP2 or Ride Around Washington, both of which have spots available. They’re great rides with beautiful scenery and fewer people (which means shorter lines at the Honey Buckets!). But don’t delay — if they sell out, you won’t get a second chance.
Once again this year, ten registrations for the Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic will be up for auction on eBay. We’ll post the first two registrations on Monday, May 9, and continue posting on a rolling basis for five weeks. Bidding for the final two registrations will close on Friday, June 10. Stay tuned to Cascade’s blog and Twitter feed for details.
All eBay auction winners will receive a coveted low bib number. We’re also throwing in free food and beverages at the Finish Line Festival in Portland. Plus, the amount of any winning bid exceeding the usual $95 STP registration fee is a tax-deductible donation to the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation.
Place your bid in the coming weeks and forgo nail-biting on June 13, when STP registration may or may not reopen up to the public at 10 a.m. with returned registrations. (Remember, any rider wishing to take advantage of the Group Health STP refund policy has until Thursday, June 9 at 11:59 p.m.)
All eBay auction winners will receive a coveted low bib number. We’re also throwing in free food and beverages at the Finish Line Festival in Portland. Plus, the amount of any winning bid exceeding the usual $95 STP registration fee is a tax-deductible donation to the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation.
Place your bid in the coming weeks and forgo nail-biting on June 13, when STP registration may or may not reopen up to the public at 10 a.m. with returned registrations. (Remember, any rider wishing to take advantage of the Group Health STP refund policy has until Thursday, June 9 at 11:59 p.m.)
Event roundup — STP sold out, RSVP2 registration open
Monday, March 28th, 2011 by M.J. KellyLast week started with a bang at the office when the Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic sold out. We’re looking forward to ushering 10,000 riders on the road to Portland this July! The 2011 event opened for member registration on Jan. 10 and to the general public on Feb. 1. March 21 is the earliest the event has ever sold out.
For those who didn’t make it into the event, you’ve still got a few options.
Check back 30 days before the event when refunded registrations may become available. Read our refund policy to learn more.
Take part in our annual eBay auction, to be held in May. Participate in the tax-deductible auction to support the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation, and if you win, you will receive one of 10 low bib numbers (90-99).
Volunteer to earn a bib. Contact Diana Larson, volunteer coordinator, to get started earning volunteer hours toward the event.
STP Training Seminar: March 30, 7 p.m.: REI Seattle
We know many first timers are quaking in their cleats (cleats?!?! what’s that?) about the big ride to Portland. But fear not! The event is well within reach, provided you are prepared. Join us to preview the 200-mile Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic with an engaging and thorough visual STP Training Seminar, which takes you from the Start Line to Finish Line Festival. Hints on what to bring, training, gear, ride logistics and much more will be covered.
This presentation is aimed at first time STPers and for those who are still trying to figure out if they want to take this on… next year. By the end of the show you’ll be convinced and inspired to give it a try. Bring your friends/family if you are trying to talk them into riding with you. Everyone will have a fun evening.
Attendees receive the annual limited edition STP pin as a gift.
RSVP2 spots available
Since RSVP2 did not fill during the initial lottery phase, about 500 registrations have not been sold. These registrations are now available to the general public via online registration. We expect registration to fill quickly, possibly selling out by the end of today.
