Wow! Can you believe it’s already been a month since you all led a spectacular and safe ride?! You brilliant crew members and brave riders have raised over $398,500 and 100% of that will go to our beneficiaries! You’re incredible, and the H2B Volunteer Committee is honored to be a part of the amazing impact you’ve made on our community.

So, we wanted to wrap up 2008 with a great opportunity and a few final notes.

This email contains information about:

1. Last minute donations are still being accepted!
2. Ameriprise Financial Planning Seminar to benefit H2B
3. Mark your calendars for the H2B Check Presentations on World AIDS Day 2008
4. Remaining Items in Lost & Found
   

Last Minute Donations are Still Being Accepted
For everyone who still has a $10 check or a bundle of donations, H2B is still accepting donations until November 15th. Help us make that last push to hit our $400,000 goal for 2008! So, download the paper pledge form and send your last donations in ASAP. And, if you had some donors who couldn’t support you before Sept 20th, hit them up again to donate online and tell them what a great job you did!

Ameriprise Financial Planning Seminar to Benefit H2B
Our very own Erica Hubbard, Rider #76, has an opportunity to increase donations to H2B and potentially improve your financial situation in one shot! She’ll be leading a seminar on Financial Planning and Domestic Partners on Wednesday, November 5th at 6:30PM with Ameriprise, one of our sweet new sponsors!

This seminar provides insight as to how to address financial concerns in a struggling market, save appropriately for retirement, and plan for your future. If, like me, your 401k has become a 4, I’m sure this will be very informative. And, H2B will receive $10 for every person who attends the event! There is no obligation to attend the seminar and they’ll have food and wine.

Please RSVP by October 27th with our Committee Member, Christopher Lambing at christopher.w.lambing@ampf.com or call him at 617-580-4270.

Mark Your Calendars for the H2B Check Presentations
Join us on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 6PM to recognize World AIDS Day. We will be joined by each of our beneficiaries to present the results of your hard work - the checks!

Fenway, AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, CRI of New England, and AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts will be on hand to tell us how your donations, your sweat, and your compassion, have made their work possible! It’s a stirring reminder of why we are committed to fighting HIV and AIDS, and how our beneficiaries lead the fight in Massachusetts, in the US, and around the globe.

Remaining Items in Lost & Found
We hope you all made it home with all your gear from the 2008 Ride. But, if you misplaced one of the following, we found it and would love to get it back home. We have:

Gray stocking cap with black border - found at Copley
White Bermuda tee shirt
Gray ARMY tee shirt
Gap sweatshirt: Black with gold trim
Pair of Quest riding gloves (Black and gray)

If one of these sounds like yours, please email Tom Boyden at tom.boyden@gmail.com and arrange for a pick up!

Thank you all again for your hard work and support of H2B! The Volunteer Committee is so happy to announce that this has been our most successful year yet!

No matter the economy, no matter the challenge - you have come together to show how much you care for our family and friends living with HIV and AIDS. Thank you for doing so great this year, it means a lot to us on a very personal level.

Take care and hope to see you all again in 2009!

Regards,
Eric Santamaria
EricSantamaria@harbortothebay.org

We want you to have a great time this weekend, so here are a few important notes:

1.  If there’s an emergency or an accident, the very first thing to do is call 911!

Next, flag down one of the emergency vehicles or Moving Violations motorcycles, and tell them to radio for help.
Next, use a cell phone to call the H2B number and report the accident.  877-422-2453.   All the towns we’re riding through are aware of the ride and are ready to assist us.  Hopefully we won’t have to do any of the above.

2.  Our team has noted there is more sand on the roads and trails on Cape Cod this year.  Be careful of sand on the route because it will cause bikes to lose traction, whether you’re turning or going straight.   Avoid sand if possible, or slow way down!

3.  We are riding out of Copley Square, so be mindful of your gear until it’s on the truck, and be sure your bike is locked unless you’re with it!   You are responsible for your bike and your gear! Crew, be sure to offer help to the Riders, and everyone take care of each other!  If you’re not sure if someone is with H2B, ask to see their ID bracelet!

4.  Riders: Eat plenty when you arrive at the Cape Inn.  We don’t want you starving, and the Closing Ceremony set up takes longer than your stomach will be willing to wait!  

5.  All Riders must check in at Sagamore and at the Cape Inn! We need to be sure you get to each location, and this is a nice safety check for the Committee.   Let us know you’re there!

Thanks!
Eric

Here’s a link to the garage’s location.

Here’s a link to the Parking Permit to display in your vehicle.

There will be a marked H2B van making loops between the garage and Copley Square.  It should be about 15 minutes between each loop.

Don’t forget to sign in to the website and  RSVP/choose a seating time for the Sunday Brunch at Bayside Betsy’s in Provincetown.

Riders, help us out and let us know which part of the ride you are doing. Sign in to the website and choose “My Ride Option” from the list.

The safety video is online. View it online if you can’t make it before Saturday Morning and don’t want to deal with seeing it then. Please be using Windows XP, Vista, or NT with a recent Windows Media Player.

download the pdf

Also, we will NOT be accepting new rider registrations at the orientation event on Friday evening at Club Cafe and on Saturday, ride day.

The 2008 Harbor to the Bay Ride is just a few days away, and we couldn’t be more excited, because…
1)  There’s no hurricane heading right for us    *Eric knocks on wood and does small “rain-be-gone” dance*
2)  Saturday’s weather is supposed to be spectacular
3)  This is our most successful year yet!!   LOOK at how much money you’ve raised!!

This email contains information about:
*   Ride Day Sign-In
*   Ride Day Agenda Posted
*   Prepare for the Big Day!
*   Opening and Closing Ceremonies with David Brown!

Ride Day Sign-In:
Before our Crew heads out to the route, and before our Riders hop on their bikes, we have one last required event for all of you.
All Riders and Crew are required to watch the safety video before departing, if you haven’t done so already.
All Riders and Crew are required to receive an RoadID bracelet, and Riders should pick up their numbers and ride jerseys
All Riders are required to ride with a helmet. If you do not have a helmet, you will not be allowed to ride with us.  I’m a safety freak, and we want you there in one piece, even if it’s with helmet hair!  

Ride Day Agenda Posted
Are you wondering what’s going on, and when, on Saturday, September 20th?   Well, check out the sweet web page that Computer Simple put together for us!   It’s got all the details, down to the minute.

Here are some good things to remember, in addition to the agenda:
1)   Fast Riders who get to the Cape Inn before 6:30PM can check in, and then head back to your lodging to shower and relax.   We’ll have tons of food there (thanks to AIDS Support Group Cape Cod!) and great Massage Therapists to tend to your needs.   Just be sure you’re awake, and back on your bike by 6:30PM at the Cape Inn.
2)  Riders who arrive close to 6:30PM, we’ll take care of you!   If you roll in at 6:29PM (to a huge cheering crowd!) we’ll be sure your gear is safe and secure, so you can enjoy the final ride into town.
3)  Crew, we need you at the Boatslip at 6:30PM, unless you’re assigned to the Cape Inn.  If you’ve closed your pit stop, cheered for all of our friends on the route, then join us at the Cape Inn to welcome people in.   Somewhere prior to 6:30PM, be sure to pick up your gear from the Cape Inn and dispatch it to your lodging for the night.
4)   We will have lots of food this year, and will have boxes for you to take and run, even at the Cape Inn.   If you’re heading for the Saturday night ferry, be sure to swing by the Cape Inn to grab a bit of food!   We’ll miss celebrating with you, but we know people have stuff going on.
5)   Crew - The food at the pit stops should cover both you and the Riders, so don’t starve yourselves!  Just remember we’ll have lots of slower Riders who will arrive close to the Close Time for your pit.   Share the love!

Prepare for the Big Day!
So, we’ve finally gotten some great weather for H2B Ride!  As many of our returning friends know, our ride has the unique ability to attract monsoons!    Well, sunshine and upper 60’s weather still requires preparation!

Everyone:
Be safe! Look out for each other, and actively keep each other aware of safety issues
Wear sunscreen, and reapply throughout the day!
Bring a light jacket for the cool morning and evening, to keep warm
Remember you are responsible for picking up your gear by 6:40PM at the Cape Inn.
Enjoy the fabulous day, amazing camaraderie, and THANK YOU!!!

Riders:
If you have lights for your bike, be sure to bring them - the sun is going down before our final ride in!
Be sure to stretch lots throughout the day
Drink before you’re thirsty, and eat before you’re hungry!     Remember - this is a huge physical challenge!
Ask questions and don’t be shy.   We have lots of beginners and this is a huge challenge!

Crew:
You make the H2B Ride a success.  Stay focused, stay energized, and cheer cheer cheer!
Keep a close eye on the Riders, especially towards the pit stop closing times.  Watch out for signs of “bonking” and be sure everyone is eating and drinking tons.
Watch out for the safety of everyone! If you see someone riding irresponsibly, or a dangerous situation, tell your pit stop leader!

Tell the Moving Violations ladies.

Tell me, or call the H2B number and report it!   We need you to be sure we’re all celebrating on Saturday night!

Opening and Closing Ceremonies with David Brown!
Team, we are thrilled for this year’s Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony!

We have heard your feedback and we promise this will be the most efficient year yet for Opening and Closing.   We will need your undivided attention, but we’ll be sure it’s focused and concise.

And, it’ll be great because we’re honored to have David Brown from WCVB Channel 5 riding with us for 2008!    He’s been talking up the ride over the last few weeks, and is really psyched to support us.

And, I must admit I was a bit star-struck when he came to the H2B Committee Meeting last week!   *I got all shy and kept saying “Ohmygosh, ohmygosh, it’s really him.  Act cool and don’t be a dork!!*  

So!  Is that enough info?  If not, check out the H2B site for more!

Despite the tough economy, you have made this our best year yet, and 100% of the money you’ve raised is going to our beneficiaries! They couldn’t be more excited because their clients - our family and friends living with HIV and AIDS - need your love and support more than ever.

You have stepped up and knocked it out of the park!    We’re going to have a spectacular ride.    So, get ready, contact your Rider Reps and Crew Reps with your questions, and I always am glad to help too!

See you Friday and/or Saturday!

Regards,
Eric Santamaria
EricSantamaria@harbortothebay.org

Breakfast: Trinity Church
Check-in: Trinity Church
Luggage drop-off: Truck outside Trinity Church AND truck at Renaissance Garage at Northeastern University
Safety Video: Trinity Church

RIDERS Pick up bikes in storage at 209 Columbus Avenue and bring them to Trinity Church.

NOTE: If luggage is not picked up at Cape Inn by 7:00pm Saturday night, it will be available at Aids Support Group Office on Bradford St. Participants are responsible for coordinating pick up with ASGCC, during normal business hours, after Saturday 9/20.

For our final “Ride Into Town” in Provincetown, bring a safety light and/or reflectors, if you have them.  It’ll be safer for the team if we have lights.

If you’d like to purchase one, check out our Bike Shop Sponsors page, where you can get them at a discount.

If you don’t have a light, and don’t want to purchase one, be sure you ride near a H2B buddy that does!

Thanks!

Eric 

EricSantamaria@harbortothebay.org