Frequently Asked Questions
Why a Park-2-Park Ride?
Park-2-Park Montana is a statewide fundraiser for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) programs across Montana. See the CASA of Montana website for the purpose and mission of CASA. Funds raised are distributed between the 15 local programs and the state office. CASA of Montana (the state office) coordinates the ride. The spirit of the ride reflects the spirit of CASA: facing challenges, building relationships to support one another, persevering through difficult times, and enjoying oneself along the way. This is not a race but rather a ride for building community among riders and for CASA children.
What is the registration fee refund policy?
Cancellations before July 16 will be fully refunded less a $50 processing fee. Cancellations between July 16 and August 15 will be fully refunded less a $100 processing fee. No refunds will be issued after August 15. All donations and sponsorships are final, and will not be refunded regardless of the rider’s ability to participate in the event.
What time do we start riding in the morning?
Breakfast most mornings is served at about 7:30 am. On the first day, we also have a pre-ride activity and try to get on the road by 9 a.m.
Riders are encouraged to be dressed and ready to ride when they show up for breakfast. Gear is delivered to the luggage truck so it can be loaded. After breakfast all participate in cleanup, checkout, and turn in keys. Riders are asked to help get the gear loaded to ensure an early start time.
All riders MUST check in with the daily ride leader before departing. Slower riders are organized by the ride leader to leave first and faster riders do not leave before the first support vehicle. This ensures that riders don’t get too spread out along the route and enables support to be provided in a timely manner. All riders and support vehicles must be off the road by dinner time.
We generally get on the road between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m., or a bit earlier on longer days. Remember, we are riding in September and mornings are usually cooler and daylight shorter so there is less reason to hit the road early.
What is available for meals?
Breakfast includes coffee, tea, orange juice, bagels, cream cheese, breakfast bars, oatmeal, boiled eggs, and a variety of fruit and yogurt. A hot breakfast may be served on occasion, depending on available services. Breakfast will vary day to day and we try to adjust the items to meet the requests of riders.
Lunch is served picnic style on the road and consists of sandwiches – lunch meat, cheese, tomatoes, condiments, etc. as well as peanut butter and jelly. There are chips, fruit, cookies, and other treats available as well. The lunch stop will be announced at the rider meeting the night before each ride. Riders must stop at the lunch stop and check in with ride staff before going on.
Dinner is a hearty meal with a main dish, salad, etc. Past rides have included spaghetti, pizza, tacos, chicken, and more. Special dietary needs are accommodated upon request on the registration form. Meals are often provided by the local CASA programs providing an opportunity to “put a face” to the work of the CASA volunteers.
Snacks during the day include HEED Sport Drink, PowerAde, energy bars, chips, cookies, salty snacks, fruit, and other biker favorites. We always have a cooler of water and you can mix your drinks as you like. The front support vehicle stops every 15-20 miles for riders to stop and rest, use the facilities, refuel, and regroup.
Those of you that ride a lot have your favorite drink, gel, energy bar, etc. that your stomach is familiar with. We encourage you to bring these. Plan on having enough to get you through the week.
What sort of accommodations can I expect?
Riders are responsible for their own housing in the West Glacier area on Sunday night at the beginning of the ride. Ride headquarters and start of the ride will be at the West Glacier KOA Campground, 2½ miles south of West Glacier on Highway 2. If you plan to share a cabin at the KOA, make sure to let us know. Tenting is also available. You will also be responsible for your own hotel in West Yellowstone on Friday night if you plan to stay over. We will provide a list of hotels in West Glacier and West Yellowstone and mention any special room rates available for riders.
Please DO NOT make room reservations for Monday through Thursday nights!
See Lodging & Meals for details of accommodations. Monday night accommodations at the US Forest Service Condon Work Center will be primitive requiring a sleeping bag and pad. Showers will be available. A few beds will be available for special needs and to reward top fundraisers.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights are in hotels along the route. Most hotel accommodations are two beds, one person per bed. You can let us know if you have a roommate preference. We put couples who sign up together in the same room, men together and women together. You will pick up a key at the front desk of each motel and turn it in the next morning. You are responsible for any incidentals or calls from the room. Wednesday night is at Fairmont Hot Springs so be sure to bring your bathing suit for soaking in the hot pool!
What will the weather be like?
Weather in Montana in early September is generally great for biking. That said, weather in Montana is unpredictable. In past years, we have had cool mornings, warm days, very little rain, but, then, again, some years it’s cold, rainy, and windy. Riders often start with jackets and tights and then peel down to shorts and jerseys later in the morning…or put more layers on! A wind vest or light jacket is very helpful for mountain descents. (Extra gear can be stowed in the support vehicles.) There is always the possibility of rain so bring rain gear along for the ride. You will also need sunscreen, sunglasses, gloves, etc. A recommended gear list will be provided in your registration packet and is also available here.
Sunrise is between 7:02-7:07 a.m. during the ride. Sunset is between 7:36-7:46 p.m.
What should I bring?
Riders will want to bring several pairs of bike shorts, jerseys, tights, a jacket, gloves, bike shoes, etc. We recommend you bring three sets of bike clothes. This way you will have fresh bike shorts for each day. Washing machines are available at some motels along the way. You may team up with other riders to get a full load for the laundry. Space in the luggage truck is limited so pack sparingly.
Set yourself up with two or three sets of basic bike gear – shorts, jersey, socks, etc, then bring along gear for cool or rainy weather. You will want casual clothes for the evening. You will also want a sleeping bag, pad, pillow, and towel for Monday night, and Sunday night if you stay at the KOA. A recommended gear list will be provided in your registration packet and is also available here.
What do I do if I get tired or hurt during the ride?
If you or another rider are injured during the ride and require critical medical help please call 911 to get assistance.
If any Park-2-Park Montana support staff is available they will provide assistance. We will have first aid kits in the vehicles and cell phones; however cell coverage can be spotty in parts of Montana. Every rider will fill out a confidential medical form prior to the ride and we can provide that to emergency personnel or a hospital if needed.
If you get tired or can’t continue to ride, pull off to the side of the road in a safe place and flag down one of the 5-6 Park-2-Park support vehicles. You might also have another rider go ahead to alert the staff. The support vehicle will carry you into the next stop or provide assistance to help repair flats or minor mechanicals. Be sure to carry a pump, tire levers, spare tube, patch kit, and any medicine you need with you on your bike. You should be able to repair a flat tire on your own. A bike mechanic is part of the support crew but may be helping someone else and not immediately available to you. We will always have one support vehicle behind the slowest rider to make sure everyone gets to our next stop.
What if I'm flying in from out of town?
If you will be flying in for the ride, plan to fly into Bozeman, Montana. There will be a shuttle for you and your bike to the West Glacier KOA at the beginning of the ride, and from West Yellowstone back to the shuttle starting point in Bozeman. There is a fee for the shuttle, above and beyond the ride registration fee. This is a flat fee even if you choose to take just one leg of the shuttle. Please be aware, the first leg of the shuttle ride to West Glacier KOA will take up to 6 hours in a 10-15 passenger van with a lunch stop along the way. The return to Bozeman on Friday evening is approximately a 2-hour drive through the scenic Gallatin Canyon.
When you are arranging your flights, be sure to arrive no later than Saturday, September 8, and depart no sooner than Saturday, September 15. On Sunday, September 9, our shuttle driver will pick you up at a central location and drive you to West Glacier. On Friday, September 14, our shuttle driver will take you back to the starting location by evening. Again, do not schedule your departing flight until Saturday, September 15. We will suggest a motel which provides airport shuttle service or a safe parking space for your vehicle for the duration of the ride.
For complete information please contact Liann or Shirley.
How do I get my bicycle to Montana?
If you plan to ship your bicycle to Montana, we will make arrangements with a local bike shop to receive your bicycle for assembly prior to the event and to disassemble and ship your bicycle at the end. You will be responsible for the cost of shipping and assembling/disassembling and for making all arrangements with the shop. Rental bicycles may also be available.
For complete information please contact Liann or Shirley.
Can I bring a spouse or friend to the BBQ at the beginning and the celebration dinner at the end?
Yes to both. You can bring a person or two for free at the Sunday BBQ. Information on the celebration dinner at the end is forthcoming. Let Liann or Shirley know your plans and how many guests will be joining you.
Do you need volunteers for support during the ride?
We can always use volunteers to help with the ride. Duties vary and may include:
- Driving a support vehicle (these will be limited and we ask riders not to have their spouse or family member tag along on the ride unless they are signed up as official volunteers)
- Helping with loading and unloading the gear vehicle
- Buying groceries for lunch and breakfast
- Greeting riders at the end of the day
- Helping with a lunch stop along the route
- Setting up a rest stop with snacks and drinks for riders
We ask volunteers to please fill out a Volunteer Registration Form. It is similar to the rider registration form and allows us to control how many volunteers we have along the route, provide basic insurance for volunteers, and keep track of vital information. Since this is a fundraising ride we also ask volunteers to make a contribution against expenses if possible. We will also try to help with fuel if possible when official volunteers drive their own vehicles for support. Do not plan to bring your own vehicle along unless approved by the ride coordinator in advance. Too many vehicles can endanger the safety of riders and volunteers. Unregistered support vehicles will be charged the $550 rider registration fee.
