FAQs

The Bike to Cure Kickoff Party is on Friday, September 6 and we ride, Saturday, September 7.

There are several ways you can participate in Bike to Cure.

• Register to Ride. Routes range from the 6-mile Guardians City Loop Ride to 100-Miles. The 2024 distances & routes are listed here. New in 2024: a 12-Mile Ride.
  • If you are planning to ride on your own, bike in your own hometown or able to ride with us at Bike to Cure, you should still choose the Rider options, fundraise and receive Rider swag: an event jersey, water bottle and more.
• Register as a Virtual Fundraiser. You can choose your own activity (walk, run, swim yoga, kayak, etc.) to participate and can do it anytime, anywhere! So if you are not planning to ride or if riding is not for you, register as a Virtual Fundraiser.

Volunteer for Bike to Cure. Bike to Cure Volunteer registration is open! An army of Volunteers is needed before, during, and after the Bike to Cure event. Browse the many shifts and register here!

Here's a list of Bike to Cure ride options for Saturday, September 7. Click on each to view route details including a map and turn-by-turns.

• Guardians City Loop Ride – 6 miles
• 12-Mile Ride
• 25-Mile Ride
• 50-Mile Ride
• 75-Mile Ride
• 100-Mile Ride
   

IMPORTANT NOTE:
A helmet is required to ride in Bike to Cure.

The minimum age by September 7, 2024 to ride is:

• 8 years old for the Guardians City Loop Ride
• 12 years or older for the 12, 25 & 50-Mile Rides
• 16 years or older for the 75 & 100-Mile Rides

Minors will need permission from a parent or guardian.
 

All Riders pay a registration fee to help cover the cost of the food, drink, event support, and swag they receive during Bike to Cure Weekend. Registration fees for this year are set for the following dates, participation type and for each Rider:

• March – June 15, 2024 
  • $89 for the Guardians City Loop Ride
  • $139 for the 12, 25, 50, 75, 100-Mile Rides
• June 16 – September 7, 2024 
  • $109 for the Guardians City Loop Ride
  • $159 for the 12, 25, 50, 75, 100-Mile Rides

Riders registering prior to 8/14 will receive their packet right at their doorstep. 

Riders registering after 8/14 may pick up their packet in-person on Friday at the packet pick-up tent on Mall B. (Services also available early Saturday morning.)
 
Your Participant packet includes:  VeloSano jersey and Rider credentials: bib & bike plate.

A Customer Service area will be available on Mall B during Bike to Cure to assist with questions, lost packets, exchanges, etc.. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:
When you register, it’s important you enter the mailing address where you will be available to receive your Participant Packet in late August / early September. If you move after you register, please contact us at velosano@ccf.org with your new address.

There is an individual commitment for each Rider and Virtual Fundraiser and you have until October 15, 2024 to meet it. Even if you ride on a team, you are responsible for your individual fundraising commitment. The individual fundraising commitments are as follows:

• Guardians City Loop Ride - commit to raise $500 for Cancer Research
• 12-Mile Ride – commit to raise $1,000 for Cancer Research
• 25-Mile Ride - commit to raise $1,000 for Cancer Research
• 50-Mile Ride - commit to raise $1,000 for Cancer Research
• 75-Mile Ride – commit to raise $1,500 for Cancer Research
• 100-Mile Ride – commit to raise $1,500 for Cancer Research
• Virtual Fundraiser – commit to raise $250 for Cancer Research

100% of every Participant raised dollar supports lifesaving cancer research at Cleveland Clinic.
 

Riders and Virtual Fundraisers have until Tuesday, October 15, 2024, to meet their fundraising commitment.
 
Your credit card on file will ONLY be charged if you do not meet your minimum commitment by October 15, 2024 to cover any remaining balance of your commitment. If you meet your fundraising commitment before the deadline, your card will NOT be charged.
 
If you close your credit card account or your card on file expires, please contact VeloSano with your new card information at velosano@ccf.org or leave us a message at 216.444.6150.

For Riders, yes. Youth/Young Adults (ages 8-24 years old on September 7), and current & former military receive a 50% reduction in their fundraising commitment.

• Guardians City Loop Ride – commit to raise $250 for Cancer Research
• 12-Mile Ride – commit to raise $500 for Cancer Research
• 25-Mile Ride – commit to raise $500 for Cancer Research
• 50-Mile Ride – commit to raise $500 for Cancer Research
• 75-Mile Ride – commit to raise $750 for Cancer Research
• 100-Mile Ride – commit to raise $750 for Cancer Research

We encourage you to try to fundraise more than your discounted fundraising commitment as every dollar raised supports lifesaving cancer research.
 

Big Wheelers are VeloSano’s biggest fundraisers. These individual Riders and Virtual Fundraisers set big goals and go the extra mile to achieve them. The 2024 Big Wheeler levels are $8,000 and more (Gold), $4,000 (Silver) and $2,000 (Bronze). 

As you achieve each level, you earn points. The more dollars you raise, the more points you earn. Then when fundraising ends October 15, you get to turn your points into exclusive Big Wheeler swag and merchandise that will be fulfilled and mailed right to your doorstep.

You can find complete details here.

Mall B - 300 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114
4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Yes. Rider registration includes two Kickoff Party tickets for you and a guest. Additional guest and tickets for the general public may be purchased HERE.
 

The evening includes:

• Dinner & Beverages (including the adult variety!)
• Live music & festivities
• Short program
• Team Photos with sign-up schedule
• Big Wheeler Group Photo
• Living Hope Group Photo
• Partner Expo
• VeloSano Shop
• Why I VeloSano Dedication Wall

Overnight bike storage is available and encouraged to take advantage of for convenience!

Riders may drop off their bikes at the secure Bike Corral and also a duffle bag at the Bag Check area at Mall B on Friday (12pm to 7:30pm). Riders can also take advantage of Drive & Dash from 12 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. and drive right up to Mall B to drop off your bike(s). This will alleviate logistical pressures on Friday and early on Saturday morning before the ride begins.

For Bike to Cure, VeloSano will provide Riders:
Saturday, September 7
Mall B - 300 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114
5:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Complimentary parking with shuttles to/from the start/finish line

• Breakfast begins at 5:30 a.m. – fuel up before you ride
• Directional signage along route
• Support & Gear Transport on route (please tune up your bike in advance & bring your own tubes on ride day)
• Medical support
• Volunteer support
• Rest stops every 10-12 miles supplied with food & beverage, port-a-potties
• DJ, music
• Sit-down lunch and finish line festivities
• Post-ride massage
• Post-ride showers

And of course, lots of cowbell at start and finish lines and at rest stops!

*All event details subject to change

Rider and Guest Parking We will provide more details about parking and shuttles for riders, volunteers, staff, sponsors, and vendors who participate in Bike to Cure as we get closer to our September dates.
Stick around and enjoy the Finish Line Celebration & Festivities that continue throughout the day!
 

Bring your helmet, your bike (already tuned up, with air in the tires) if you did not drop it off on Friday, a water bottle and your Rider bib attached to the back of your jersey and your bike plate attached to the handle bars of your bike.

7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Wave starts by distance:

• 7:00 a.m. 75 & 100-Mile Start
• 7:30 a.m. 50-Mile Start
• 8:00 a.m. 25-Mile Start
• 9:00 a.m. Guardians City Loop & 12-Mile Start

Note:

• All times are subject to change.
• Please arrive at the start line at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure. 
• A helmet is required to ride in Bike to Cure. Riders not wearing a helmet will be pulled from the start line.

Child seats, bicycle trailers, and tag-along extensions are allowed on the Guardians City Loop and 12-Mile Rides only. 

Special note: For the 12-Mile Ride, bicycle trailers must be less than 40” in width to ride on Wendy Bridge as it narrows and extends over the Norfolk-Southern railroad tracks. Volunteers will ask you to dismount and walk your bike with trailer across this section.

For safety, everyone must wear helmets (including children) and pets are not allowed, unless they are a certified service animal.

Yes! With the growth in interest and use of electronic bikes in the cycling community, they are welcomed in Bike to Cure.

Your electric bike, or e-bike, must be a bicycle equipped with pedals and be powered from a rechargeable battery mounted on the bike.

The following bicycles/tricycles are permitted to participate in VeloSano Bike to Cure:

• Tandem
• Recumbent (with appropriate safety markings)
• Elliptical (with appropriate safety markings)
• Handcycle (with appropriate safety markings)
• Tricycle
• Unicycle

If you don’t have your own bike, no problem. We have resources available!

Our official bike rental partner, Unlimited Biking, offers a wide variety of bikes and sizes for Bike to Cure.

With the convenience of bike pick-up and drop-off options on Mall B, you can ensure your ride goes smoothly without worrying about the logistics.

Rent a bike through Unlimited Biking. Learn more.

To change your route selection, please email your request to velosano@ccf.org and we will update your Participant Type.

Important Note:
When you change routes, your registration fee and fundraising commitment may also change. For instance, if you switch to a longer route with a higher fundraising commitment than the one you originally registered for, your fundraising commitment will increase to that of your new route.

To update your Participant record to become a Rider please email your request to velosano@ccf.org. When changing from Virtual Fundraiser to a Rider, you will need to pay a registration fee and commit to raise the dollar amount associated with the distance you choose to ride.

Any Rider or Virtual Fundraiser must withdrawal their registration and notify us by 11:59 PM EDT, Friday, August 9 in writing by sending an email to velosano@ccf.org to be released from their minimum fundraising commitment. All donations collected up to the point are non-refundable and are non-transferable.

Rider registration fees are also non-refundable and non-transferable. 

We have a training guide to help you get ready to ride. Whatever your riding level, from weekend warrior to seasoned cyclist, Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Matthew Kampert, coaches you through weekly training schedules, complimented with helpful nutrition and hydration tips to ensure proper recovery.

This information is designed to help you reach peak performance to ride Bike to Cure on September 7!

Download the training guide here.

 

Yes! Safety is a top priority throughout our Bike to Cure rides and in the weeks of training that lead up to it.  Please review some basic safety tips before you hop on your bike and share with other Riders.

Our community of cancer patients and survivors, known as Living Hope, exemplifies the collective spirit, courage, and resilience that is the core of VeloSano.
By selecting “Yes, and I would like to be recognized as Living Hope during registration”, you will be recognized during Bike to Cure with the following:

• Group Photo at Friday Night Kickoff Party.
• Living Hope Swag to wear during your Bike to Cure ride or whatever activity you choose.
• Living Hope Patch to adhere to your Rider jersey or Volunteer T-shirt
• Living Hope Badge on team roster (where applicable).
• Living Hope Badge on Rider bib (if registered by July)

Volunteer registration is live! Please visit the online portal (here) to browse the available shifts and register as a Volunteer for Bike to Cure weekend. 

Volunteers must be age 8+.  

Please reach out to us at velosano@ccf.org to help guide you through the registration process and to find the right opportunity for you and your team.

100% of every dollar raised by Participants goes directly to cancer research because of the support provided by VeloSano Partners! Please contact us at velosano.org and someone will reach out to you directly.

Visit the VeloSano Shop by simply clicking on “SHOP” in the top toolbar on velosano.org main page or go directly to www.velosano.org/shop
Merchandise & gear will also be available for sale at Mall B during Bike to Cure weekend.
 

Contact us via email at velosano@ccf.org or leave us a message at 216.444.6150.

We have connected with some local businesses in the food, drink, fitness categories willing to support you in hosting a fundraising event of your own.
In addition, you should reach out to other businesses you support in your local communities to see if they would help you host a fundraiser to support cancer research at Cleveland Clinic!
 

Helpful resources can be found in our Fundraising Guide, our Blogs and on our Downloads Page on velosano.org. Click on these links and learn more!

• Fundraising Guide
• Blogs
• Downloads

Yes! Please click here to access the VeloSano Logo Guidelines and download official VeloSano logos and artwork files for all of your promotional and marketing needs.

We recommend linking Facebook directly to your VeloSano Personal Fundraising page vs. hosting a Facebook fundraiser. Setting up your Facebook Fundraiser this way, enables donations to be credited directly to your VeloSano Personal Fundraising Page and ensures that you receive your donation immediately.

Find a step-by-step guide to set up your Facebook Fundraiser here.

If you have an event, whether it be for training, fundraising, or just a general one, please use our Upcoming Event Page on velosano.org. Click here and submit all details and artwork files by selecting “Add an Event”.

To streamline the process and to expedite funding, please provide a direct link and instruct the business to make a credit card donation to your Personal Fundraising Page via credit card.

You will receive immediate credit and the business will receive an acknowledgement and donation receipt via email.

If they prefer to pay via check, the event proceeds will be added to your page via offline donation when the check is received by VeloSano and you will receive a notification of the donation.

Big Wheelers are VeloSano’s biggest fundraisers. These individual Riders and Virtual Fundraisers set big goals and go the extra mile to achieve them. The 2024 Big Wheeler levels are $8,000 and more (Gold), $4,000 (Silver) and $2,000 (Bronze). 

As you achieve each level, you earn points. The more dollars you raise, the more points you earn. Then when fundraising ends October 15, you get to turn your points into exclusive Big Wheeler swag and merchandise that will be fulfilled and mailed right to your doorstep.

You can find complete details here.

Donations in support of VeloSano may be made by credit card, by check, through Donor Advised Funds, IRAs, and by wire, ACH, or with stock:

• To donate by credit card online, search for the Participant or Team you'd like to support or to give to the VeloSano General Fund. For search, click here.

• To donate by check to support a Participant, Team or to give to the VeloSano General Fund, make your check payable to VeloSano and mail the check to VeloSano, PO Box 933441, Cleveland, OH 44193. Please include the participant or team name on the memo line of the check.

• To donate to VeloSano and/or a Participant through a Donor Advised Fund or charitable giving account, please use the following information:
  • Choose our legal name: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation; IRS tax identification number: 34-0714585
  • Designate the grant to support: VeloSano; Rider Name and/or Team (if applicable)
  • Mail to: Cleveland Clinic Philanthropy Institute; P.O. Box 931517; Cleveland, OH 44193-1655

DAF grant checks are typically received and processed in two to four weeks. Upon processing, it is then credited to the Rider’s and/or Team’s fundraising page. 

• To give through a wire, ACH, or with stock, please email our Gift Processing Team, PI_Gifts@ccf.org, to receive the instructions to securely send your donation. Include your gift designation to VeloSano and the Rider and/or Team name in the email, if applicable

Yes. These payment options are available when making an online donation on velosano.org. Select PayPal or Venmo as your preferred payment method when making your donation.

Once the donation is made, your gift will be credited to the Participant or Team page and the Participant or Team Captain will receive a notification of your gift and you will receive a tax receipt.
 

If you receive a direct “payment” via an electronic payment processor like Venmo, Zelle, or other cash apps that is intended to support your fundraising efforts, it is your responsibility to personally donate these funds to your Personal Fundraising Page.

VeloSano will not send a receipt to a Donor for any gift that is not made (online) directly through the VeloSano website.
 

Yes, you can make a monthly recurring donation to support an individual Participant, Team or the VeloSano General Fund. To begin the donation process, click here, and select “Monthly”.

Yes. Cleveland Clinic Foundation (“CCF”) is a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation. VeloSano is a CCF trademark and charitable event sponsored by CCF to bring funding to support cancer research at CCF. As such, VeloSano is not a separate legal entity or association, but is one of CCF’s charitable activities. 
Our tax ID number is 34-0714585.

Please contact velosano@ccf.org or leave us a message at 216.444.6150 for further information or to receive a copy of our W-9 and Letter of Determination.

All donations made online will be acknowledged with an emailed tax receipt. Donations made by check or ACH will receive a tax acknowledgment by mail.

If you are unable to locate the acknowledgement or to request a receipt for a prior year donation, please email your request to velosano@ccf.org

1) Registered Riders & Virtual Fundraisers should use the VeloSano App Mobile Check Deposit as the fastest and easiest way to deposit check donations and credit them to your Personal Fundraising Page. Read this helpful Blog for step-by-step directions!

2) Or, any participant who receives checks directly from donors can mail them into VeloSano using the Donation Deposit Form. This form must be included when submitting your check donations to ensure proper credit. Please allow five (5) business days for mailed checked donations to be credited.

Mailing address:
VeloSano
PO Box 933441
Cleveland, OH 44193

If the Donor of the check accidentally wrote the check out to your name, please write “Pay to the order of VeloSano” in the endorsement area on the back of the check along with your signature. Write your name on the memo line and send the check to:

VeloSano
PO Box 933441
Cleveland, OH 44193

Yes this is not a problem. Please include your name or team name on the memo line of the check to ensure proper crediting of the donation to your Personal Fundraising Page.

We recommend making arrangements by contacting us at velosano@ccf.org  to drop off your cash donation at offices located on Cleveland Clinic Main Campus on Euclid Ave in Cleveland with a completed Donation Deposit Form. The completed form should include each donor’s full name and contact information, amount of their cash gift, and in the notes section, anyone on the list who requested a donation tax receipt.
 
Otherwise, if you deposit the cash into a bank account and send a check, the person who wrote the check is the only one would receive the tax receipt information.

To request a list of your donors with complete contact information, please email velosano@ccf.org

Visit https://www.velosano.org/donate/employer-match and simply type in the name of your employer and click the employer name to find out more information on the matching gift program.

If you do not see your company or have further questions about matching gifts, ask your Human Resources (HR) representative for additional information. 

 When recommending your matching gift, use the following information: 

• Our legal name: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Our IRS tax identification number: 34-0714585 
• Designate your match request to: VeloSano; indicate Rider Name and/or Team (if applicable

If you or your company needs additional documentation to complete this process, contact us at velosano@ccf.org
 
Mailing Address: Cleveland Clinic Philanthropy Institute; P.O. Box 931517; Cleveland, OH 44193-1655 

If you submitted a match request with your company for your donation, then they’ll reach out to VeloSano to confirm the gift. From there, your company will process the request, send VeloSano the matching funds and we will credit the matching gift to your Personal Fundraising Page upon receipt.

The matching gift submission, verification and disbursement process can take an extended period of time and varies by company. Some companies will approve and pay out a matching gift request quickly after the submission date, and others may take up to a year.

It is important for you to find out your company’s matching gift policy and procedures so that you understand when VeloSano is likely to receive the funds, as this can affect the fundraising commitment of the participant you are supporting.

We encourage you and your donors to apply for s matching gift as soon as possible to ensure your funds have the best chance of arriving before the October 15, 2024 fundraising deadline.

NOTE: If your company does not match gifts until after the October 15, 2024 fundraising deadline, notify us at velosano@ccf.org. It’s possible that these funds will not be received prior to the distribution of VeloSano dollars to advance cancer research at Cleveland Clinic and therefore cannot be credited until Bike to Cure in 2025.

Matching gift funds must be received by VeloSano by Sunday, October 15, 2024, to count toward a participant’s fundraising commitment.

There are many reasons Riders come together as a team to ride and fundraise – in honor or in memory of someone or perhaps to bring colleagues together for camaraderie, wellness and in support of a mission. Teams can be made up of family members, friends and/or colleagues.

Each team member must register individually and is responsible for their own fundraising commitment for their chosen route. The team captain creates the team and once this is completed you can register to “join” the team.

Teams may be as small as two participants and there is no limit on the number who can be on a team. Teams can consist of Riders who are riding different distances, Virtual Fundraisers and Volunteers.
 

Fundraising minimums are per individual Rider and Virtual Fundraiser and each is responsible for their personal fundraising commitment.
 
However, team donations made to the overall team are credited into team funds and these dollars can be transferred to individuals with written authorization from the Team Captain.

Team Donations
Team donations are encouraged, accepted and will appear as “Team Funds” on your Team Roster Page. Often, donors can’t choose just one person on a team to donate to and the team donation option alleviates that conflict!
 
Team Funds are separate funds than those raised by individual Riders and Virtual Fundraisers. Although Team Funds are reflected in the total dollars raised by the Team, fundraising minimums are per individual Rider and Virtual Fundraiser and each is responsible for their personal fundraising commitment.
 
Team Fund Strategy
Many Team Captains use Team Funds as a strategy to incentivize and match their teammates’ fundraising efforts or to fill-in gaps necessary to help individuals meet any outstanding fundraising commitments before the October 15 deadline.
 
Credit proceeds from your team fundraisers to team funds. Building this fund can help your teammates reach their individual fundraising commitments and your team to meet your overall fundraising goal!

Whoever creates the team, becomes the Team Captain as an integral part of the registration process. Once the team is set up, the Team Captain lets team members know to search for and select the team when they register to "Join a Team".

A Team Captain can designate up to four (4) Co-Captains and be listed on the Team Roster. To make someone a Co-Captain, contact velosano@ccf.org. Once established, Co-Captains will be identified on the team roster with a Team Captain badge.

Only the Team Captain has access to the Team Fundraising Dashboard with team tools to communicate with their team mates and monitor team progress.

While Co-Captains do not have the ability to access the Team Fundraising Dashboard and tools, they will be invaluable to support your recruiting, team fundraising and training activities.

Yes. Team donations are accepted and will appear as “Team Funds” on the Team Roster. Team Funds are separate funds than those raised by individual Riders and Virtual Fundraisers. Although Team Funds are reflected in the total dollars raised by the Team, fundraising minimums are per individual Rider and Virtual Fundraiser and each is responsible for their personal fundraising commitment.

Many Team Captains use Team Funds as a strategy to match their teammates’ fundraising efforts or to fill-in gaps necessary to help meet any outstanding fundraising commitments before the October 15 deadline.

It is the responsibility of the Team Captain(s) to determine the distribution of Team Funds among team members. If as Team Captain you decide to distribute Team Funds to individuals, simply complete this Team Funds Distribution Form instructing to which team member(s) to distribute the funds, scan/save and email it to us no later than October 15, 2024.

Email it to velosano@ccf.org

or mail to:
VeloSano
9500 Euclid Ave, DV
Cleveland, OH 44195

Contact us if you have any questions at velosano@ccf.org or leave a message at 216.444.6150.

Team donations and proceeds from team fundraisers if credited to the team will appear as “Team Funds” on your Team Roster Page. 
 
Team Funds are separate funds than those raised by individual Riders and Virtual Fundraisers. Although Team Funds are reflected in the total dollars raised by the Team, fundraising minimums are per individual Rider and Virtual Fundraiser and each is responsible for their personal fundraising commitment.

Many Team Captains use Team Funds as a strategy to incentivize and match their teammates’ fundraising efforts or to fill-in gaps necessary to help individuals meet any outstanding fundraising commitments before the October 15 deadline.

Team Captains:
When you are ready, typically after the October 15 fundraising deadline, please use the Team Fund Distribution Form to designate how to distribute Team Funds to team members. Please list the names and the dollar amount you would like each participant to receive and email it to velosano@ccf.org.

Contact us if you have any questions at velosano@ccf.org or leave a message at 216.444.6150.

While you can select any jersey producer, we encourage you to work with our jersey partner Primal Wear who supports a generous “Primal Gives Back” Program. Primal will donate 15% of your total order back to your team’s fundraising.

Primal Custom Order Information, click here.

Primal Contact
Katie Rohrer
720.817.8808
katie.r@primalwear.com 

If you work with another jersey producer and you’d like to incorporate the VeloSano logo into your design, please email us at velosano@ccf.org to obtain logos and brand guidelines. When you use VeloSano artwork, we ask for an opportunity to review and approve your team’s jersey design before you go into production.