WHAT TO EXPECT - BRIEF OVERVIEW

REGISTRATION

All riders and non-riders MUST register. Handbooks, vehicle permits, safety vests, pre-ordered jerseys, event T-shirts, meal tickets, event wristbands, map books, etc. will be provided at registration. You will also be given a handbook with most of the information posted on this website, as well as a few other details to have for your reference.

Registration Schedule

• Friday, March 18th, 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
• Saturday, March 19th, 9:00am - 6:00pm

After these times you can check in at the Event Headquarters.

Full Event Vehicle Parking

Parking for the duration of the event, included in your registration fee, is available Friday, March 18th through Friday, March 25th on site at the Monticello high school. All cars must be removed by 5:00pm on Friday, March 25th

Bike Florida and the facilities utilized are not responsible for any vehicles that participants park while participating in the Bike Florida event. Parking is at your own risk.

Rider's Meeting

The meeting for riders begins at 7:15pm on Saturday in the old Monticello high school auditorium. The Rider's Meeting is mandatory for all cyclists and registered non-riders participants, vendors and staff as we will be covering valuable ride and route information for the entire week.

Wristbands

Every registered participant (riders and non-riders) will receive a wristband during registration and check-in. This wristband entitles you to participate in Bike Florida Red Hills to the Sea 2005 events and lunches included in registration, use of event services and campsite facilities, as well as entry into springs and parks along the route. You will be required to wear the wristband at all times and show your wristband to receive any benefits of the Bike Florida Red Hills to the Sea 2005 event.

ABOUT THE RIDE

A Typical Bike Florida Day

• 6:00am - Good morning! Wake up!
  • Luggage loaded onto truck
  • Breakfast is served for meal plan
• 6:30am - Headquarters opens for the morning
• 8:00am Route officially opens for the day
  • Do not start out before this time!
  • Bike repair service opens at campsite
  • Springs and parks open (some open at 7:30 am)
• 8:30am - First rest stop opens
• 10:30am - Lunch will be provided on Tuesday & Friday
  • On the other days, stop when you get hungry for lunch on your own.
• 12:00 noon - Camping officially open at next campsite
  • Luggage available
  • Headquarters opens at destination site
• 1:00pm - Massage & The Bike Detail open
• 3:00pm - Bike repair at campsite
• 3:00pm - Rolling Road 1 meets
• 5:00pm - Route closes for day
• Dinner - schedule will be provided
• 7:30pm - Entertainment/nightly announcements
• 10:00pm - Quiet hour/lights out

What About the Terrain?
Florida's terrain is relatively flat. Of course, flat is a relative term depending on where you are coming from. You will experience some rolling hills since we are in the Florida Panhandle this year. The main routes are all on paved roads and paved rail-trails.

Mileage
The average daily mileage is 54 miles, or 61 miles with the optional loops and stops along the route. The total mileage for this year's ride is approximately 381 miles including the full (33.7 miles) loop in Monticello on Saturday (3/19) and the ride to the beach (42.5 miles) on the layover day (3/23) in Apalachicola. Cyclists can pedal up to 426 miles if they ride the Century on Tuesday (3/22) and choose to go on the optional rides out and back to the various springs and parks indicated on the cue sheets.

Route Signage & Route Maps
Distinctive Bike Florida directional signs and painted road markings will clearly mark the route. You will also be given a packet of maps with corresponding cue sheets indicating mileage and directions. Always stay on the official route. If you leave the route, you are not covered by Bike Florida services.

Rest Stops
Please be aware of and respect the opening and closing times for all rest stops. Our volunteers are working hard to serve you. There will be rest stops approximately every 15 to 20 miles; we have picked the best sites we could get permission to use at the necessary distances. Most sites are paved, but be aware that you might have to walk your bike a short distance to avoid riding on dirt driveways / parking lots.

Staffed by volunteers, the rest stops provide the necessary energy boost to get you through the day. The rest stops are not intended as a meal, but to restore the fluids and nutrients your body needs. The water, sports drink, fruit and energy goodies are provided by Bike Florida & are included in your registration fee. Some rest stops are hosted by youth and community groups who will provide additional concessions as fundraisers for their organizations.

Permanent or portable rest rooms will be available at each rest stop, unless indicated on the route maps and cue sheets. Convenience stores during long stretches are also indicated on maps, in case of emergencies.

Bike Florida could not happen without volunteers. Please take the time to thank the volunteers and organizations that help make your trip more enjoyable and this event possible.

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER

People will be able to leave messages for you on our normal office phone as we will be checking our voice mail at least once or twice daily througout the tour. That number is: 352-376-6044. Make sure to tell them to leave YOUR name so we know who to deliver the message to.