Schedule for Farm Ride Weekend


Here's a ROUGH timeline for the Farm Ride weekend.  Not all of these items will apply to you, so feel free to skip around.


FRIDAY AUGUST 2

7:00 a.m.

Check in begins in Manhattan for those taking the 8:00 a.m. OPTIONAL transportation to the ride.


8:00 a.m.

Transportation departs Manhattan for the ride.  We are prompt -- don't be late!


Noon

Our ride office opens at North Dorm C (the Deluxe Dorms).


1:00 p.m.

Estimate (ESTIMATE!) of when those who took the 8:00 a.m. departure of our optional transportation from Manhattan will arrive in Amherst.


2:30 p.m.

Meet in front of North Dorm C (the deluxe dorms) for an easy ride for ice cream. Total distance: about 21 miles. No charge for this ride; you pay for your own ice cream.


3:00 p.m.

Check in begins at UMass for housing.  This is the official check-in time. If rooms in the dorms are available earlier they may let you check in, but we can't guarantee it.


If you are staying at the Campus Center Hotel  

Go straight there to check in.  Driving directions here.


If you are staying in the Deluxe Dorms

Go straight there to check in.  Driving directions here.


BUT...


If you are staying in the Standard Dorms Do NOT go there.  Go to the Deluxe Dorms FIRST.  (Driving directions to the Deluxe Dorms here.  Check in with the staff there and they will give you your keys to your room in the Standard Dorms.


We will have our headquarters office in the Deluxe Dorms, so feel free to drop by to say hello or to ask any questions. If your room is not ready yet you can come by, have a free cold beer or soft drink, drop off your luggage... You can always find us there… usually.  (Once you get to campus we will have the phone number for the headquarters so you can call the office first if you prefer).


5:00 p.m.

Starting at 5 p.m. we’ll have free hot tub rental in Amherst through the weekend for all registered riders, while supplies last.  Stop by our ride headquarters in North Dorm C for directions to get there -- you can drive or it’s an easy pedal.


5:30 p.m.

Check in begins in Manhattan for those taking the 6:30 p.m. OPTIONAL transportation to the ride.


6:00 p.m.

Gather in front of North Dorm C -- The Deluxe Dorms for a short walk to the UMass dining commons -- voted #1 in the country by The Princeton Review year after year. Pay for your own dinner -- cash or credit card. It's all you can eat for less than $20. DO NOT BRING YOUR BIKE WITH YOU! We are WALKING to dinner -- it's a very short stroll and there's nowhere safe to lock your bike up there. If you went on the afternoon ice cream ride (above) you'll be back in plenty of time for dinner.


6:30 p.m.

Transportation departs Manhattan for the ride.



10:30 p.m.

Estimate (ESTIMATE!) of when those who took the 6:30 p.m. trip from Manhattan will arrive.  We will not (NOT!) unload ANY bikes when we arrive (too late and too dark!)  Your bike will be safely locked up overnight, and will be waiting for you at the start line on ride day.


SATURDAY AUGUST 3

Farm Ride Day!


8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Check in for the ride.  The ride starts right in front of the Deluxe Dorms -- North Dorm C.


We will serve a light breakfast at the start -- coffee, bagels, whole-grain breads, granola, bananas...  


There is no mass start -- you can start pedaling as soon as you are ready.


8:30 a.m.

If you are doing the escorted version of the 100-mile route it meets at 8:00 a.m. and departs at 8:30 a.m. sharp.  Complete details on this page.  No need to tell us in advance if you want to do the escorted ride -- just show up in the right place at the right time, ready to roll.


9:00 a.m.

The escorted version of the 25- and 70-mile rides leave the start line with our trained leaders. No need to tell us in advance if you want to do one of the escorted rides -- just show up BEFORE 9:00 a.m. (so you have time to check in and get breakfast) and be ready to ride at 9:00 a.m. It is VERY common for people to start the day with the escorted ride, and then head off on their own later on in the day.


6:00 p.m.

Everyone should already be at the post-ride meal, whether you pedal there on your own or get a lift from us.  (Some will arrive much earlier, depending how far/how fast you pedal – your route sheet for the day will take you right there).    


WARNING: After you eat there is still another 30 minutes of pedaling back to UMass.  We will drive you back if you wish, but if you want to complete the full distance of the route you choose, that means pedaling that last stretch.


8:00 p.m.

The Saturday Night Dorm party at the Deluxe Dorms.  Dress casual (or wear your filthy dirty bike clothing -- we don't care).  Come by for a drink, snacks, hang out with your fellow cyclists, tell incredible lies about how fast you rode today...  This is only for those who have signed up for this optional part of the event.



SUNDAY AUGUST 4


8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.


Check-in for Sunday rides.


Breakfast at the start line again.  


We will have several marked routes today of different distances, including an escorted ride that is about 40 miles. There is still S.A.G. on Demand service today, but there are no formal rest stops. At breakfast we will have a Road Food Buffet -- lots of cycling snacks you can stuff in your pocket for the day (and you'll be passing plenty of places to buy lunch if you wish).


Don't want to pedal on a big ride? Head in to town to relax.


9:00 a.m.

Optional Escorted 40-mile ride leaves.


11:00 a.m.

Check out time for the Campus Center Hotel.  Note that if you stay late they will charge you extra AND kick you out of your room.  (Whee!)  Feel free to check your bags at the hotel or at our headquarters at the Deluxe Dorms.  After the day's riding we will have showers available and a place for you to change in one of the dorms.


3:00 p.m.

First trip heads home for those who took the optional transportation to the ride.  Please be SURE to read all the info on the How Do I Get Home page on our web site -- lots of info there that you MUST read to get home quickly and safely.


6:00 p.m.


Final departure home for those who took our optional transportation to the ride.  Again, please be SURE to read all the info on the How Do I Get Home page on our web site -- lots of info there that you MUST read to get home quickly and safely.


All official Farm Ride services end.