| Q: |
What is the starting point for the Tour For Kids event on Saturday, July 19? |
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The start location is still to be determined! Check the website periodically for updated start location!
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| Q: |
What type of accommodations are we staying in at night? |
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Saturday night is tent camping at Camp Gardner, in Braggs Creek so bring your tent!
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| Q: |
What kind of food can I expect at the Rest Stops? |
| A: |
Rest stop food is all about fueling you on your ride! There will be gels, powerbars, bananas, oranges, apples, brownies, nutritional drinks, water, sandwiches with ham, cheese, turkey, salmon or tuna and lots more to fuel your ride! |
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| Q: |
Do I really need to bring my own supply of powerbars and gels for each day of cycling? I thought all the bars and gels were supplied by Tour For Kids. |
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Yes, it is imperative that you bring more than enough powerbars, gels and whatever supplements you require for each day of cycling. Rest stops will provide beverages, fruit, and snacks. Each cyclist is responsible for providing their own personal supply of powerbars and gels |
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| Q: |
I'm vegetarian. Will there be food for me to eat? |
| A: |
Dinners and breakfasts are full on with the Tour For Kids! There are plenty of salads and pastas, with meat such as chicken or fish served on the side! There will be lots of fresh fruit, yogurts and bagels with all the fixings! |
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| Q: |
Do I need to bring cash? |
| A: |
It is always a good idea to bring a little money in your pocket! T4K's is fully supported, but it's always good to be prepared. Tour For Kids shorts, bib shorts, jerseys and other cool stuff will be available for sale. We accept cheques, and credit cards. |
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| Q: |
What should I pack for clothing? |
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Check this booklet and/or website for a full list of clothing. In addition, bring your bathing suit as we will have beautiful beaches to swim on Thursday and Friday nights! Don't forget your rain jacket, just in case the sunshine we ordered does not happen! |
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| Q: |
What time do we begin cycling in the mornings? |
| A: |
Cyclists will depart at approximately 8 am! The 100km cyclists will begin at approximately 9 am. Check the Communication white board every day for full details! |
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| Q: |
I'm a great cyclist, but not a great navigator. Will I get lost on the route? |
| A: |
The entire route is marked with white arrows painted on the road at every turn. Each morning, cyclists will be given a map with street turns indicated. In addition if you ride with a Team Marshall they will have full route directions. |
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| Q: |
I heard about these 'cycling marshals' on the Tour For Kids. Do cycling marshals give out speeding tickets if I ride too fast or too slowly? |
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The Tour For Kids cycling marshals are experienced cyclists who are committed to making your experience with the Tour For Kids memorable! The role of the cycling marshals is to:
- Keep pace with the cyclists, not the other way around
- Help keep cyclists safe while on the roads
- Encourage cyclists of all abilities
- Assist cyclists with flat tires, or other mechanical challenges
- Work with cyclists to form strong riding groups either in a double or single pace line! The more you draft, the faster and more enjoyable your ride!
Cycling marshals are identifiable by their great smiles and friendly personalities.
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| Q: |
I’d like to ride the full stage distance every day, but I’m not sure how my legs will feel by the 2nd day. Do I have to ride the full stage both days? |
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Tour For Kids is about flexibility – stretch every night. Ooops – What I mean is, we know that these distances are going to challenge you. Therefore each morning, you can choose your distance, and choose the pace that you are most comfortable riding! |
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| Q: |
What kind of pace groups are there? |
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For each stage ride, there will be a variety of different groups. For safety cyclists will be arranged in groups of no more than 20 people and each person will be given the opportunity to choose groups that range from 20-24 km/h, all the way to groups that will ride greater than 33 km/h. As long as you come prepared with a proper road bike and proper training there should be a pace that works for everyone. |
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| Q: |
What does the pace group actually ride at? |
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Depending on the pace group you choose to ride with, that group should be riding no faster than the maximum speed of that pace group at any time during your day. The pace does not necessarily mean that your average speed will be 24 km/h that day (if you are riding in the 20-24 km/h group) but rather, you will not be expected to ride any faster than 24 km/h throughout your day. |
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| Q: |
What if I find my pace group too fast or too slow during the ride? |
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Please tell one of your group Marshals and you can catch up or meet up with the faster riding group at the next rest stop or, drop back or wait for the slower group at the next rest stop. The main objective is that you enjoy your ride and the pace is manageable for your riding ability. |
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| Q: |
Is the route flat? |
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Ahem... no. The route is 'undulating'. Haliburton and Muskoka are known to have some rollers and climbs! But don't worry, because this is not a race, and with your new friends by your side, and rest stops every 25 - 50 kilometers, you are going to be just fine! |
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| Q: |
I've been training hard, and I really want to meet my goal of riding 100km for all four days! What if I really just can't finish one stage? Will I be left on the side of the road by myself? |
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No one gets left behind! We have a sweep wagon that drives behind the very last cyclist. If you need to get on the bus, there will be someone to hand you a cold drink, and lift your bike onto the bus! |
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| Q: |
I've been cycling all day, and it's getting dark out. I really want to finish cycling the full route. |
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Once dusk falls, and if the sweep wagon asks you nicely to get in, it's not because we don't think you aren't capable of finishing. We don't want anyone cycling in the dark, and out of concern for your safety, we are going to INSIST that you get on the sweep wagon! But don't worry, you will be back on your bike the next morning for another full day of cycling fun! |
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| Q: |
I'm lost. Who do I call? |
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All cyclists will be provided with an emergency phone number contact list in their swag bag. Just give us a call, and we'll get you back on the right path! |
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| Q: |
I prefer to cycle by myself and listen to music. It's not that I'm anti-social, but I just prefer cycling alone. |
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Out of concern for rider safety, headphones are not permitted during the ride. As for riding solo, no problem. We're here if you need us! This tour is for you to enjoy! |
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| Q: |
I have a mountain bike with knobby tires, can I ride that bike in the Tour? |
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It is strongly recommended that you have a road bike or a bike that is meant for riding on the roads (i.e. hybrid) that is not heavy. Skinny tires that are for road cycling are required, please no knobby tires. A bike and/or tires that are not meant for road cycling will slow you down and you will find yourself exerting too much energy to keep up with your group. |
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| Q: |
I heard the Tour for Kids Ontario tour is 4 days long! Why is the Alberta ride 2 days long? |
| A: |
We want to ensure that our successful Tour for Kids event grows slowly. This ride is all about experiencing a meaningful experience and therefore our limit is approximately 100 cyclists for our first year. However, in 2008, we will be offering a 2-day and a 4-day ride! |
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| Q: |
I have so many more questions. How can I get my questions answered? |
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1. Check the website for more information
2. Call the Event Hotline at: 1 866 381 4446 to leave us a message!
3. Email us at contact@tourforkids.com
4. Attend the Tour For Kids Social and Information night (date and time to be announced on the website) where your Tour Organizers, cycling marshals and experienced T4K's riders will be on hand to answer all your questions! Meet some of the great cyclists that you will be sharing the roads with!
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