Fequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q

Do you have to ride the entire 33 days to participate?

A

No.  You may join us anywhere along the Loop and leave at any time.  It is $55. per day except for the Erie Canal 8 day section that is $70./day.

Coordinating your plan is vital so we know who to expect and where to expect you.
Q
Do you have to be an Eagle Scout to participate in the event?
A
Yes...and no.  The Cycling the Loop Event is for Eagle Scouts only but we will have parents of Eagle Scouts riding with us and many younger scouts will be joining us to ride the 8 day Erie Canal section.  The message of the ride...personal fitness, nutrition and the value of becoming an Eagle Scout will be delivered all along the route by the Eagle Scouts.
 
Q
What motivated such an unusal idea?
A
The 100th year celebration of Scouting inspired our Troop to want to do something special.  Combining the need for personal fitness and nutrition in today's youth with the desire to make a difference, the idea just grew from there.
 
Q
How could I possibly get in shape for such an event?
A
Starting in December, we will publish on the website, an exercise program along with suggested nutritional information for riders to follow.  Our local group will be encouraged to join my, at the local health club, to participate in three spinning classes a week.  A spinning class is a stationary bike that you ride to music and follow a teacher who varies the workout between endurance and aerobic conditioning.  When March arrives, the weather should allow us to move outside and start putting in mileage on the road.  Since the Loop will average +/- 400 miles per week, the goal would be to get used to riding some miles each day and increase total miles per week until it is time to start the event in late June.  Any enthusiastic participant can start from scratch in December and be ready by June.

 
Q
What type of riders will attempt this ride?
A
There will be Eagle Scouts from the age of 16-60 riding Cycling the Loop.  It is the goal to make a difference that will motivate all of us.
 
Q
How fast a pace do you ride?
A
We normally start the morning off in the 12-14 mph range but average 14-16 mph the rest of the day.  Some of the young bucks will want to go a bit quicker and the will be allowed to.  Rest stops will normally pull us all back together.  We will start and finish the days together and we will leave no rider behind.
 
Q
What types of roads do you ride on?
A
We will spend some time on the C&O Canal which is dirt, the Allegany Passageway which is stone dust, the Erie Canal which is stone dust but the balance of the ride will be paved.  Roads will be secondary most of the trip and we will ride some additional bike trails.  There are occasional busy streets that we will need to negotiate.  We will stay together tru these areas and we will attempt to solicit the help of local police departments in these areas.
 
Q
What kind of bike should I bring for this ride?
A
Any ride of this length requires a bike that is in good working order.  A road bike would be the bike of choice.  There are some sections, that if wet, could make the road bike a bit challenging but for the most part it is the right bike for the ride.  The newer and lighter the bike is, the more it benefits the rider.  Repairs will be available along the route and we will see many bike shops along the way if a major repair is necessary.  We will carry a couple extra bikes with us in case of breakdowns.
 
Q
What bike gear is required?
A
Riders must wear helmets whenever riding.  In additon, carrying tools for minor adjustments, a spare tube to repair a flat and water bottles or a camelback for fluids and snacks would all be essential gear.
 
Q
How much experience do you have with long distance rides?
A
For the past 12 years, our Troop has successfully trained for and completed a long distance ride.  During that time, we have completed over 150,000 miles together, successfully.  In addition, we have participated in many organized events and learned valuable information from each of these.  We have personally mapped out the course for the Cycling the Loop Event and have driven each road to verify the quality of the ride.
 
Q
How do we move our gear from stop to stop?
A
Each morning the riders will load there gear on to the "Gear Truck" and it will be transported to the next stop that evening.  All the riders need to carry with them are the essentials listed above.
 
Q
How much gear can I bring on the trip?
A
There is no maximum cap on the amount of luggage you can bring, but we encourage each rider to be "Thrifty" with their packing philosophy.   There should be plenty of room in our Gear Trucks to accomodate everyone.
 
Q
Do you need volunteers?
A

Yes.  We would love to have volunteers to move the vehicles, serve as our SAG (support and gear) operators, to man the rest stops and offer encouragement to the weary riders.

Volunteers will not be charged to accompany us on our journey.  They will need to bring along any gear they will need and inform us when they will arrive and depart the group.
 
Q
Are meals included?  What will we eat?
A
Breakfast and dinner will be provided each day along with rest stops 2-4 per day.  We will provide nutritional meals and snacks and no one will go hungry.  We will also supply a drink called ZOE LIFE that will offer 20 fruits and vegetables that can serve as your fluid durring the ride.  Rest stops will have water & ZOE LIFE along with fruit and healthy snacks to refuel the riders.
 
Q
What type of overnight accomodations can we expect?
A
Tent camping will be the norm.  At some camps, we may stay in lodges or cabins. Each night showers will be available.
 
Q
What time do we start and finish each day?
A
Each morning, riders will eat breakfast, break camp and start riding by 9am.  This will allow for most days to be completed by 3pm, shower, set up camp and make dinner by 6pm.  On longer days, riders will be encouraged to get started by 8am so dinner will start no later than 7pm.
 
Q
How do I get my bike and gear to the starting point?
A
If you are starting with us in Fredericksburg, VA... you may ship your bike to us ahead of time and we will get it ready for you.  If you will be joining us somewhere along the route, you will be responsible for getting your bike there.  Either way, you will be responsible for getting your gear to the start and taking it with you when you leave.  Every day, including the start, we will offer a pick up service from local airports to save riders nasty taxi cab fees.  This must be scheduled ahead of time.
 
Q
What is the cost and payment schedule for the event?
A
The entire ride will cost $1,200.  Each day costs $55./day , $70./day for the Erie Canal section.  Volunteers participate for free.  Registration forms will be accepted until May 1, 2010.  After that date, there will be a $50. late fee ...added to guarantee the layout will accomodate the extra participants.  You may pay in full at time of registration or make 3 equal payments due December 1, March 1 and May 1.  All registrations must be paid in full by May 1, 2010 to avoid late fees.  These fees include everything but jerseys, repairs and souvenirs.  This fee has nothing to do with any costs of the National Jamboree.  Refunds can be requested up to May 1, 2010.  No refunds after May 1, 2010.
 
Q
How do I purchase Eagle Scout jerseys and extra t-shirts?
A
We will offer each Eagle Scout rider a free t-shirt that can be worn together for dinners at Scout Camps, etc.  Additional t-shirts and special edition Eagle Scout bike jerseys will cost extra but will be available during the ride.  Jerseys will be worn, AT LEAST, during the Washington, DC Scout parade and at the entrance into the opening ceremony of the National Jamboree.  They will cost less than $100. and are mandatory.....we want to look as special as we are !!  Include your jersey size on your registration and the jerseys will be ready when the ride starts.
 
Q
What kind of impact are we expecting the ride to create?
A
We are hoping that a group of Eagle Scouts, as large as 100, wearing identical jerseys, riding up to the stage at the National Jamboree would make a little impact... We are hoping that a group of Eagle Scouts riding into 14 different council Summer Camps and speaking to thousands of Scouts and Scouters about the importance of physical fitness, nutrition and the values of becoming an Eagle Scout would make an impact... BUT it is certain to make a lifelong impact on the participants of Cycling the Loop...permanently connecting each Eagle Scout rider with each other and to the Scouting Organization that encouraged them to reach for the stars and to try and make a difference.