Frequently Asked Questions

General:

What is the date of the ride?

The date of the ride is August 1st to August 6th 2011. All riders are required to be at the kickoff meeting on July 31st at 5:00 pm. Riders are expected to stay at the hotel that evening. We start the ride at 7:00 AM sharp on August 1st.

How many people will be on the ride?

The ride was developed for 60 riders.

When do I have to be registered by?

The last date a rider can register is July 10th 100% of the money needed for the ride will be due at registration.

Am I qualified to ride?

This ride is for road bike riders only (not hybrid or mountain bikes). Riders are expected to be able to complete 75 miles at a pace of 12 miles per hour or faster. Please show up in excellent condition. We expect all riders to train for this ride and be able to complete each leg of the trip.

How many riders are needed to have the event?

The minimum number of riders needed for the Mid-Atlantic Water Tour is 10 riders.

Is there a rain delay in case of inclement weather?

Riders will be expected to ride in all weather conditions except for lightning.

Where does the ride start and end?

The ride starts at the Quality Inn Carolina Oceanfront, 401 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC, US, 27948 Phone: (252) 480-2600.

The ride ends on 7th Street in Ocean City, NJ.

What does Wheels for Wells provide for the rider?

Online Fundraiser tool that lets all registered riders create a rider bio, email friends with the ride details and request pledges. Everyone who donates to your account will receive a receipt via mail or email from Compassion Corps.
A welcome packet that includes: Ride details, training schedule, schedule of event and payment deadlines.
A discounted rider jersey that will be provided before the ride. (Discount TBD based upon our sponsors)
Lodging on the nights of July 31st to August 5th. Check in on July 31st is at 3:00pm
Development of new community relationships and support from other parts of the United States
3 meals a day. We offer a complimentary breakfast through the hotels, one lunch per day on the road and one meal for dinner. The average day will consist of a complimentary breakfast at the hotel, a packed sandwich that will be eaten 30 miles into our trip, and one large meal at the end of each day (usually pasta). It is our strong suggestion that you bring more food and water than what will be provided through Wheels for Wells. In August, the average rider will burn between 3000-7000 calories in a single day. Replacing those calories and hydration is one of the most important concerns of the ride.
Rider insurance. Ride Insurance is provided through USA Cycling. For details please go to: USA Cycling
SAG Support: While riders are on the road there will be 2+ support vans and 2 motorcycles to handle medical or any mechanical issues that may occur.
Tolls and Ferry Ride: Our team will be crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on Day 4 of the trip. Bike riders are not permitted to ride on the bridge. All riders will put their bikes in our support van and we will drive the bikes and riders across the bridge. Once on the other side we will begin riding again. On Day 6 the group will be riding the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. We will board the Ferry with our bikes. All tolls and the price of the Ferry ride are included in the event price.

What does Wheels for Wells NOT provide for the rider?

We do NOT provide transportation to Nags Head, NC. All riders are expected to report to the hotel on July 31st. Arriving on the morning of August 1st is not permitted. All riders must be present for orientation at 5 pm.
We do not provide lodging on the final night of August 6th in Ocean City, NJ as the bike tour will end in the afternoon. If you are planning on staying in Ocean City or any nearby beach town we strongly suggest that you book early.
Power bars and other snacks may be provided as a courtesy. This should not be an expectation. All riders are recommended to bring their own snacks to eat/drink on the ride.
We do not pay for any serious bike repair needed on your bike. We offer SAG Support to get you off the road. We will be able to help you with basic repair needs such as air and help replacing a tire or chain. Tires, chains and other bike related needs are the responsibility of the rider.
We do NOT pay for any damages that may occur to your bike during the ride.
We do NOT provide towels or bathing supplies.
We are NOT responsible for any damages to or theft of personal gear.

What items do you recommend that we bring?

Enough riding shorts & jerseys to wear each day
Recreational clothing to wear when you are not riding
Extra socks
At least one sweatshirt/sweatpants. (We may do a BBQ on the beach at night)
Sunglasses
Helmet (required)
Clip Shoes
Wind breaker /Rain Gear
Cell phone
GPS equipment / bike computer or mobile phone (recommended but not required)
Water Bottles
Extra Chain
Extra Tubes
Extra Tires
Lube
Mole skin, blister medical care
BioFreeze / Ben Gay
Protein bars, gels, riding snacks. sports drinks or mix
Road ID

How do I get to Nags Head, and how do I get my bike there?

It is the rider’s responsibility to get to the Quality Inn Hotel on July 31st. Our ride orientation will begin on July 31st at 5:00 sharp. All riders are expected to have registered at the hotel by 3:00pm that day. Hotel details are as follows: Quality Inn Carolina Oceanfront, 401 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC, US 27948, Phone: (252) 480-2600. There is a possibility that we will be arranging for a charter bus to go from Philadelphia, PA, to Nags Head, NC, on July 31st. The details of this charter bus are to be determined. The cost of the charter bus will not be part of the ride. Passengers should expect to pay an additional fee if they intend to use the charter bus.

What happens if there aren’t enough riders?

Our goal is to have 60 riders. If for some reason we are not able to reach our rider recruitment goal we will contact all riders who have signed up. We plan to perform the ride if we have 10 registrants or more by July 1st. In the event that the ride is postponed we will provide details on how to redirect donations / pledges. Postponement of the ride is highly unlikely.

Riding information:

What kind of bike do I need?

All riders are required to have what is consider to be a road bike OR a triathlon bike. Mountain bikes, hybrids or other kinds of bikes will not be permitted.

How fast do I need to ride?

The group of 60 riders will be broken up into 3 groups based upon speeds. The groups will ride as a team. The team must account for the fastest rider and slowest rider on their team. Team captains will check in with the SAG car on a 5 mile basis to make sure that all riders are accounted for. Motorcycle SAG support will also work with teams to make sure that riders are put on the appropriate teams throughout the ride. No one rides alone.

Will I ever have to ride alone?

Our goal is to never have a rider ride alone. Your safety is our #1 goal. Riding in groups is the safest form of travel. All riders will have the emergency contact numbers in their saddle bags and programmed into their phones. Motorcycle SAG support will be available to assist you.

Is there SAG Support?

We intend to have 3+ vans and 2 motorcycles on the road at all times. SAG support will cover bike maintenance, medical and all forms of general assistance. Each rider will be provided emergency numbers and will know how to reach the team at any time.

What happens if my bike breaks?

If your bike breaks your team captain will stop the team to assess the situation. If it requires further attention the SAG Support Van or Motorcycle will assist riders who need attention. If other teams are behind the disabled rider it is possible for you to fix your bike and join the team behind you. We will stop every 20 miles for food and water so you will be able to catch up with your team at that point. If a rider chooses to hang back to fix their bike, the team captain will assign them a “buddy” who will wait with you so that riders are never alone on the ride.

What tools does Wheels for Wells provide?

Wheels for Wells does not provide any tools to hand out to riders. We will have the general equipment to fix a broken chain, de-rail issues, brake issues, flat tires, and broken tires. These adjustments are done as a courtesy, not an expectation. If your bike requires more attention than you or SAG support can handle, we may request that you put your bike in the van with the intention of fixing your bike at the end of the day’s ride.

What happens if the Wheels for Wells mechanics mess up my bike?

Before you start your ride you will sign a waiver that gives us permission to touch your bike. Any fixes that are provided are completed as a courtesy with the full understanding that we have your permission. Any problems that occur on your bike as a result of our maintenance will not be considered our fault and we will not be held responsible for any damages to your bike.

Cause:

Is Wheels for Wells a registered non-profit company?

Wheels for Wells is a fundraising program of Compassion Corps, www.compassion-corps.com. Compassion Corps is a recognized 501c3 charity based in Glen Mills, PA.

What percentage goes to Africa?

The amount of money available for water projects in Africa will be directly related to the success of our ride sponsorship program. After payment of all trip-related expenses, 90% of proceeds will go directly to completion of the water projects. The more successful our corporate sponsorship program, the more money will go toward covering the costs of the ride. In turn, funds accrued through rider registration will then be available to go toward our ultimate goal of pure, accessible water for those in need in Africa.

In what countries will the water projects be realized?

Compassion Corps currently serves in the following countries: Liberia, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Mali, and Uganda. Money raised by this ride will support our water projects in these regions for the 2012 season. Water project designation will be based upon priority of need and viability of the local development plan which will be determined by Compassion Corps.

What kind of water projects do you create?

There are a number of different water projects that we offer. Examples are borehole wells, hand-dug concrete wells, extended irrigation systems from existing water infrastructure, water filter systems, rain water preservation, etc. Different regions require different kinds of projects based upon access to water, water table, topography, and cultural preferences.

Will we be able to see the progress of the wells and the villages in which you serve?

Compassion Corps takes several trips per year to Africa. As a part of our commitment to indigenous field partners, we check up on the regions in which we have served in the past to see if existing water wells and systems are working properly and help to provide them with strategies or resources to alleviate any problems. Pictures and stories of recent initiatives can be found on our blog at www.compassion-corps.com.

Is Wheels for Wells a religious based event?

Compassion Corps is registered with the IRS as a non-religious, charitable organization. Though the founders and many of the volunteers are of the Christian faith, the agency’s aim is to engage all willing workers to invest their time, skills, and resources to serve the poorest of the poor in Africa, regardless of their religious persuasion. We often work in partnership with Christian organizations because those relationships have been derived from our personal networks or we share common humanitarian aid goals on the field. Wheels for Wells welcomes any rider or volunteer to join us on our trip.

Payment and Fundraising:

How much does the ride cost?

The cost of the trip is $2200. There is a $200 discount for the first 20 riders who sign up. Any donations received beyond an individual’s required $2200 will be put into the Wheels for Wells general fund and will go to reduce the overall costs incurred by the trip.

When is the money due?

$200 Initial Deposit is due at Registration
$1100 is due on May 15th
$900 is due on July 10th

By when do I have to be registered?

The last date a rider can register is July 10th. 100% of the money needed for the ride will be due by registration.

Are there any discounts for the ride?

There is a $200 discount for the first 20 riders who sign up. The $200 discount will be taken from the final payment that is due on July 10th.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, through our payment gateway we accept VISA, Mastercard, Amex and Discover.

Where do we mail our checks?

Checks can be made out to “Compassion Corps” and mailed to:

Compassion Corps
P.O. Box 103
Chester Heights, PA 19017

In the memo line please put Wheels for Wells and the name of the person you are sponsoring. Your checks will be added to your $2200 registration fee. Progress of donations/pledges can be seen from your online profile.

How are donations accepted?

Upon registration, each rider is required to fill out a rider profile. On the rider profile page there are multiple locations for interested donors to find the name of the rider whom they want to support and they will be linked to an online donation form. The money, once cleared by the bank, will be credited toward your general registration fee.

Do I get a receipt?

Receipts for all donations will be sent to the address on record. If you gave online, make sure you have included either your email address or the physical address to which you would like your receipt to be sent. If you mail in a check be sure that your return address is clearly printed on the check and/or return address section of the envelope that you mailed to us.

Are my rider fees tax deductible?

As a rider, your rider fees are not tax deductable. Any person or third party who donates to your account will receive a tax deductible receipt for their gift.

Can I donate without doing the ride?

Absolutely, anyone can help sponsor a particular rider OR can donate to the Wheels for Wells general fund.

Do you allow for company matching programs?

Yes, we highly recommend that you request a company matching program from your employer. Please request a company match sample form at info@wheelsforwells.org.

Will you provide a jersey or T-Shirt for riders? Will they be available for non-riders?

Each rider will receive a Wheels for Wells T-shirt free as a thank you for being part of the ride. The Wheels for Wells jersey will be available in early June and will be offered at a deep discount for all riders who would like one in advance. (what about non-riders?)

What happens if you are not able to fund-raise the full amount?

All riders are expected to raise the full amount of $2200. Any rider who has not sent in their money to Compassion Corps by July 10th, 2011, will not be eligible to ride. All donations submitted to Wheels for Wells are non-transferrable and non-refundable. If you are unable to participate in the event, your donations cannot be refunded, nor can they be transferred to another participant. Your donations will go directly to the cause as if you had participated, and we hope your donors will appreciate supporting Wheels for Wells, regardless of your participation in the actual event.

Technology:

How do I register?

All registrations need to be completed online. Go to Wheels for Wells.org/registration and you will go directly to the rider registration. Simply fill out the form, rider bio and initial registration payment and you will be a registered rider. You will receive an email confirmation to your email address of record. If you have any questions or comments please contact us at info@wheelsforwells.org

Does it cost anything to register?

It costs $200 to register. Keep in mind the payment schedule. Registrants that register after certain payment deadlines will be required to send in all money required previous to that date.

How do I volunteer?

In order to achieve success, Wheels for Wells is counting on our volunteers. We have positions in marketing, advertising, logistics, fundraising and rider recruitment. Our goal is to use you where you feel the most equipped to serve. Simply fill out our volunteer registration form and you will be contacted by our staff.

Do you have a Facebook page?

www.facebook.com/wheelsforwells

Do you have a Twitter Page?

www.twitter.com/wheelsforwells

Do you offer support materials I can use to reach out to my local bike shop?

Yes we do. To request this information please contact us at: info@wheelsforwells.org.

Do you offer material that I can send out to my local newspaper / news station (TV)?