BC Cancer Foundation's Westside Cycling Classic presented by the Airey Group

What is the BC Cancer Foundation's Westside Cycling Classic?
How can I participate?
How will the funds raised be used?
Why is there a fundraising minimum?
Are there prizes for the top fundraisers?
What happens if I do not reach the fundraising minimum?
What tools are available to help me with my fundraising?
What happens if I register but am unable to participate?
Is my registration fee eligible for a tax receipt?
How will donors receive their tax receipts?
Who are the special guests that will participate?
Is there an age minimum to participate?
Can children participate?
Can I participate as a team with my family and/or friends?
If we register as a team, can we fundraise together?
Will I be able to complete the Ride if I am not a serious athlete?
How should I prepare for the ride?
What is the exact route for the ride?
Is the route all on the road?
What is the estimated ride time for the ride route?
How do I get involved as a Volunteer?
Where / when do I pick up my registration package?

What is the BC Cancer Foundation's Westside Cycling Classic?
The BC Cancer Foundation's Westside Cycling Classic is a fundraising event in support of the BC Cancer Foundation taking place in Vancouver, June 1, 2008.

It brings two exciting cycling events together for a fun and action-packed day of riding for both recreational and competitive cyclists.

Top professionals compete in the Provincial Road Race Championships - races which determine Junior, Senior and Master Championships.

Following the competition, riders from novice to veteran will join Axel Merckx, former National Cycling Champion of Belgium and Tour de France competitor, and cycle the professional circuit to raise funds to support cancer research at the BC Cancer Agency.
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How can I participate?
You can join us on the BC Cancer Foundation's Westside Cycling Classic by registering to ride. If you are a competitive cyclist you can also register to race.

For participants in the community fundraising ride, there is a non-refundable registration fee of $25. Riders are also required to raise a minimum of $300 to participate. Consider creating a team of family, friends and/or coworkers - encourage them to join you on this journey to a World Free from Cancer. Others can get involved by donating to support a rider.
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How will the funds raised be used?
Riders, volunteers and donors are all part of the cancer care team here in British Columbia. You will be helping the BC Cancer Foundation fund exciting new province-wide cancer research that will directly benefit cancer patients and their families throughout the province. Together we are working towards our shared vision of a World Free from Cancer for all British Columbians.
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Why is there a fundraising minimum?
The primary goal of BC Cancer Foundation's Westside Cycling Classic is to raise funds to support cancer research programs at the BC Cancer Agency that will make a real difference and benefit British Columbians. To do so we have to challenge ourselves and so this is more than just a ride - it's an event that we hope will make a significant contribution on our journey toward a World Free from Cancer. You will be helping the BC Cancer Foundation fund vital research that will benefit our children and grandchildren and your donations will be put to work to help patients and families who are fighting blood cancer right now.
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Are there prizes for the top fundraisers?
Yes. There are some great incentives for fundraising. The first 10 riders to reach $10,000 in fundraising will be invited to private dinner with Axel Merckx and friends to be held at an exclusive Vancouver restaurant.

The top fundraiser will win a trip for two to see the Tour de France. (Details to come.)

Top youth and children fundraisers will win one of two Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS systems.
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What happens if I do not reach the fundraising minimum?
We expect everyone who registers is capable of making the fundraising minimum but in order to participate in the ride each participant must raise a minimum amount in donations prior to the event. If you have not met your fundraising minimum prior to the event, you may make up the remaining balance through a personal pledge to your fundraising account or become an event volunteer. We want every registered participant to be part of the ride. Check out the website for tips and creative ideas to help you meet and exceed your fundraising goal.
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What tools are available to help me with my fundraising?
When you register you will be assigned a Personal Page on the BC Cancer Foundation's Westside Cycling Classic website. Here you can share your story, display a personal photo and send out e-mail donation requests. Send them to friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers and they will be able to link directly to your page and sponsor you on our secure website. The website contains tips and ideas to help you meet and exceed your fundraising goal. In addition, you will be able to communicate with other participants to share ideas and encouragement along the way.
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What happens if I register but am unable to participate?
While we'll miss you at the event, you can feel proud knowing you have already done something to make a difference in the fight against cancer. Because registration fees and donations are non-refundable and non-transferable, the BC Cancer Foundation will still put these funds to work towards improving the diagnosis and treatment of blood cancers in B.C.
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Is my registration fee eligible for a tax receipt?
The registration fee is not considered to be a donation and is therefore not eligible for a tax receipt in accordance with Canada Revenue Agency guidelines. All of the funds you raise to meet and exceed your minimum fundraising goal will be fully receipted by the BC Cancer Foundation.
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How will donors receive their tax receipts?
Donors who sponsor a rider on the BC Cancer Foundation's Westside Cycling Classic website will receive their official BC Cancer Foundation tax receipt by email within a few days at the e-mail address they provide during the online gift transaction. They can simply print this document to submit with their Income Tax Return. Donors who mail their donations attached to a registered rider's Donation Form (printed off the riders Personal Page) will receive their official tax receipt via mail at the address they provide on the form.
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Who are the special guests that will participate?
Axel Merckx and some additional special guests will be part of the event.
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Is there an age minimum to participate?
We welcome participants 4 years of age and over to join us for BC Cancer Foundation's Westside Cycling Classic.

Adult riders 18 and over must register online. A non-refundable registration fee of $25 is required and adult participants must raise a minimum of $300 by midnight Friday, May 30 in order to ride. Riders age 18 and over will be riding 40 km (3 loops of the circuit).

Riders 12 to 17 years of age must register online within their category and must be accompanied by a registered adult participant. There is a registration fee of $25. Riders aged 12 -17 will ride 12.5 km (1 loop of the circuit)

Parents of children 4-11 are encouraged to bring their children to the event to participate in the children's ride (a short block long supervised ride). Registration is by donation on event day. There will also be many child and family-friendly activities available at the event.
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Can children participate?
BC Cancer Foundation's Westside Cycling Classic is an opportunity for families with children 4 and older to participate together. Riders 11 to 17 years of age must be registered and must be accompanied by an adult who is also registered. All riders will be required to meet the fundraising minimum to participate. We encourage you to start a team with your family and plan fundraising and event ideas that you all can do together to raise funds. For safety reasons, we cannot allow children in buggies, sidecars, tandem bikes or child seats on the event.
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Can I participate as a team with my family and/or friends?
Yes! Team registration for the BC Cancer Foundation's Westside Cycling Classic is encouraged. Each team member must pay the early bird registration fee of $25 and meet the fundraising minimum of $300. There is no additional cost to create or join a team. When you register, you can start a team and serve as the team captain or join an existing team. If you opt to register as an individual, you may still create or join a team at any time before the event.
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If we register as a team, can we fundraise together?
It's a great idea to hold fundraisers with your team members. You can share the funds raised and the fun of planning and hosting fundraising events together. However, each member of your team is responsible for reaching the fundraising minimum of $300. Donations are not transferable from one team member to another. Funds raised together must be divided and then donated to each team member individually to ensure that each participant is credited appropriately.
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Will I be able to complete the Community Ride if I am not a serious athlete?
The ride is designed for novice and experienced riders. Along the route there will be rest stops at aid stations, a team of bike repair experts, and plenty of support vehicles or sag wagons to take tired riders back to the transition area.
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How should I prepare for the ride?
BC Cancer Foundation's Westside Cycling Classic is not just for serious athletes but for anyone wanting to have fun and help fight cancer. For beginners, a good training program leading up to ride day would be to start with shorter distance and increase with each ride. Ride for a couple of days and break with a rest day. You should include hills in your training so you are prepared. Veteran riders can make it as big a personal challenge as they like. Additional training tips will be sent to registered riders.
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What is the exact route for the ride?
A route map will be available soon.
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Is the route all on the road?
The route will be on paved roads and experienced police and security personal will be responsible for traffic control. The entire route will be closed to traffic. All riders will receive a detailed safety protocol document and all rules of the road will be strictly enforced such as mandatory helmets, obeying police and traffic marshals' commands.
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What is the estimated ride time for the ride route?
Each rider's completion time for the course will vary but most can expect to complete the entire 3 lap circuit (approx 40km) between 1-2 hours.
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How do I get involved as a Volunteer?
You don't need to be a rider to participate and make a difference in the fight against cancer. Volunteers are crucial to the success of the BC Cancer Foundation's Westside Cycling Classic. To volunteer please complete this form.
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Where / when do I pick up my registration package?
Registration packages for Riders can be picked up on May 30^th, May 31^sth, or June 1^st at the following times and locations:

Date	Time	Participant Type	Location
Friday, May 30^th	4:00-7:00pm	Everyone	BC Cancer Foundation 2560 Heather St, Vancouver
Saturday, May 31^st	2:00-5:00pm	Everyone	The Bike Gallery 4433 W 10th Ave, Vancouver
Sunday, June 1^st	6:30am	Racers Late Pick Up ONLY	Event site registration W 10th Ave, Vancouver At Sasamat St. (behind the stage)
Sunday, June 1^st	10:00am-2:00pm	Riders Late Pick Up ONLY	Event site registration W 10th Ave, Vancouver At Sasamat St. (behind the stage)