Hey, What Am I Doing On THIS Page?
I love hearing from you -- it’s probably the best part of the job. But when it starts to get busy, it can be hard to answer every email as quickly as we’d like. Here are answers to the most popular questions:
Wait, does the ride start on Friday or Saturday? I don’t get it.
The big Farm Ride is on Saturday -- full support, rest stops, S.A.G. (bike rescue) on demand, post-ride meal, massage... the works.
Many folks head up the day before (Friday). We offer two free rides on Friday -- at 3 p.m. there’s a relaxed 20 mile ride to adorable Northampton, lead by one of our cycling experts (or grab the route sheet and head off on your own -- the route will be marked). At 6:30 p.m. we meet for a VERY short ride (about a mile each way) to Amherst for dinner. Lots of choices; you pay for your own meal.
“Is there a ride on Sunday or not?”
YES. On SATURDAY we’ll do The Farm Ride Century, and we go all-out -- fantastic rest stops, marked routes, route sheets, bike repair, full S.A.G. support; the works. SUNDAY is a day of riding at leisure. (Some people will want to ride, and some will want to rest or shop or go paddling on the Northampton River -- your choice!) We’ll STILL have marked routes, route sheets, bike repair at the start line, and S.A.G. support. The only difference is that we will not have bike repair along the route or full rest stops. We WILL provide a road-food buffet at breakfast so you can fill your pockets or saddlebag with snacks to take with you on the road (and you’ll pass stores along the route).
“I want to change the distance I’ll pedal on ride day.”
No problem-o! This happens ALL the time! (The truth is that we ask you this information in advance just so we can ESTIMATE how many people to expect where and when). You can decide which routes you want to do right at the start line!
BUT...
“I didn’t sign up for the optional transportation from Manhattan (or the lodging), but now I need it after all.”
Transportation and lodging can sell out. If you need these services, be SURE to register for them in advance. If you show up in Manhattan Friday evening and you did not register for transportation, we’ll do our best, but we can NOT guarantee you a lift. (And we’ll charge you some ridiculous price, depending on what snotty mood we’re in!)
If you’ve already registered for the ride but forgot to sign up for lodging or transportation, it’s easy to make the change -- just drop us an email by clicking here and we’ll take extra-good care of you.
“I signed up for the ride, but now I can’t make it.”
Sorry, but there are no refunds. Of any kind. For any reason. EVER. Why the hard line on refunds? The answer here. You can also find info there on how you can get a credit for another ride or sell your spot in the ride.
Still have a question?
Are you SURE? Each year I answer a zillion emails and they tend to fall in to five categories:
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1.Things that were explained on this web site in excruciating detail. (“What is the date of the ride?” “How do I register?” “Is the ride in Amherst, MA?”) By the way, this sort of question seems to come almost exclusively from law-firm senior partners, bank vice-presidents, and pharmaceutical company CEOs. Hmm...
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2.Unbelievably insane questions: "The web site says to arrive at morning check-in any time between 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. What time should I arrive at morning check-in?" Not to worry -- I’ve asked questions that are much more insane than this!)
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3.The unanswerable: "How long will it take me to do the 66-mile route?" (I dunno -- how fast can you pedal a bicycle?)
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4.You gotta be kidding: "Can I start the ride from in front of my friend’s house, skip morning check-in, do the route in reverse order, and then get a lift to a Thai restaurant after the ride?" (Umm... No.)
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5.We love you, but we do NOT have time for THIS!: “I don’t have a bike, I don’t have a helmet, I can’t get to Amherst, I’m allergic to farms...” This sort of question always seems to come in about 12 hours before ride day when we are busy ripping the hair out of our heads.
If you're REALLY sure that you STILL have a question, I would be more than happy to help. (Honest!) Besides the usual batch of nutty emails, I get lots of notes every year from people with important, sensible questions and great advice for making the ride better, and I’d be delighted to hear from you. Send your email to questions@ thefarmride.com and I will answer it personally.
We Love You -- No; really! This time I mean it!
Glen
Your tour director and humble servant
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