Frequently asked questions about The Ninth Annual Positive Spin for ALS

• When is the ride?
• How long are the routes?
• What are the routes like?
• What time do the rides start?
• Where does the ride start and finish?
• Why is this event being organized?
• Is there a registration fee?
• Do we have to be part of a team?
• Do I register my whole team or do they need to register individually?
• When and where do we turn in our money?
• Do we have to complete the route to collect money from our sponsors?
• What specifically is this money being raised for?
• Can you give more details?
• Is there a rain date?
• Besides the actual event, is there anything else going on such as entertainment or lunch?
• Can anyone attend?
• Do I have to participate or can I just raise money?
• Can you give me a flier to help me raise money?
• Can I make a contribution in honor/memory of someone special?
• I can't ride, but could I volunteer?
• Can I register on line?
• Can I register by phone?
• Can I make a contribution with a credit card?

Q: When is the ride?
A: May 18, 2003

Q: How long are the routes?
A: There are four routes to choose from: a 10 mile, a 25 mile, a 50 mile and a 100 mile route. The majority of the riders ride the 25 or 50 mile route. The 100 mile route goes out to Mt. Wachusett, up to the top, and back to Longfellow - it's not for the faint hearted. The 10 mile ride is a beautiful ride on the back roads of Sudbury. It is for those who have not done much bike riding leading up to the day of the ride.

Q: What are the routes like?
A: They are scenic routes through eastern Massachusetts, and are well supported with markers, marshals, and SAG wagons. Read more here.

Q: What time do the rides start?
A: The 100 mile ride begins at 7:00 am, the 50 mile ride begins at 9:00 am, the 25 mile ride begins at 10:30 am, and the ten mile ride begins at 11:00 am.

Q: Where does the ride start and finish?
A: All the rides start and finish at the Longfellow Club in Wayland, MA. For directions, click here.

Q: Why is this event being organized?
A: The 9th Annual Positive Spin for ALS has two purposes:
• To raise money for the ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter's Patient and Caregiver Programs
• To raise money for research to find the cause and cure of ALS

Q: Is there a minimum that each rider needs to raise?
A: There is no minimum amount of money that you have to raise to join the ride. Some riders pay only the registration fee and ride, and some riders pay the registration fee and raise more money with sponsorship pledges.

Q: Is there a registration fee?
A: There is a registration fee of $70 for each individual. If you register by mail before May 11, the registration fee is $60. If you register and pay online, the registration fee is $50.

Q: Do we have to be part of a team?
A: You do not have to be part of a team to ride. Most of the riders participate as individual riders, and some people ride together as teams.

Garrett Levey recruited his classmates

Q: Do I register my whole team or do they need to register individually?
A: Each member of a ride team must register individually.

Q: When and where do we turn in our money?
A: You may turn in your money at the Registration Area when you arrive.

Q: Do we have to complete the route to collect money from our sponsors?
A: That is a personal agreement that each rider makes with his or her sponsors.

Q: What specifically is this money being raised for?
A: The money raised is earmarked for local ALS patient care administered by the ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter and research nationally.

Q: Can you give more details?
A: The ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter is unique among similar organizations in that we directly serve ALS patients with a wide array of programs. The ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter's active Patient and Caregiver Services include:

• Telephone Consultation & Referral
• Initial Home Visits
• Case Management Consultations
• Newly Diagnosed Patients and Family Meetings
• The Peter and Terry Wise Resource Center-Lending Library
• Resource Guide
• The June Eisenberg Memorial Support Group Program
• The Mel Kornbliet Memorial Equipment Loan Program
• Augmentative Communication Program
• Respite Program
• Children’s Program
• Buddy Program
• Grief and Bereavement Support
• "Living With ALS" Symposium
• "Quality of Life Day" Programs
• The Gordon T. Heald ALS Fund
• Public Education and Awareness
• AdvocacyResearch
• Web site
  >More about these services (PDF format)

Q: Is there a rain date?
A: There is no rain date scheduled. The ride is "rain or shine."

Q: Besides the actual event, is there anything else going on such as entertainment or lunch?
A: There will be a free lunch, a DJ supplying lots of great music, vendor booths, information booths on future ALS events and the ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter.

Q: Can anyone attend?
A: Sure! The more the merrier. Invite your friends to join you for lunch, visit the vendors, and enjoy the musical stylings of the DJ.

Q: Do I have to participate or can I just raise money?
A: You can make a contribution to the ride without riding. You are also invited to come join the day's festivities even if you don't ride. You can enjoy the lunch prepared for all the riders and the volunteers, and you can volunteer if you would like to help out before, during, or after the ride.

Q: Can you give me a flier to help me raise money?
A: Sure. Click here to download a printer-friendly 8-1/2 x 11 flier that promotes the ride. You can hand it out or post it on bulletin boards

Q: Can I make a contribution in honor/memory of someone special?
A: Yes, that is a terrific way to honor someone you are close to. Many of the riders are riding to raise money to honor a loved one who either has ALS or has passed away because of it.

Q: I can't ride, but could I volunteer?
A: Yes, you are very welcome to volunteer, either before, during or after the ride. Just check out the Volunteer Page and contact us.

Q: Can I register on line?
A: Yes, you can register online by clicking here.

Q: Can I register by phone?
A: You can register by phone by calling 781-326-8884 (10 am - 4 pm).

Q: Can I make a contribution with a credit card?
A: Yes, you can. You can make a credit card contribution either through our on-line contribution page, or by calling 781-326-8884 (10 am - 4 pm).