We’re busy preparing for the Bike Virginia Tour and know you are anxious for information. For 2012 we are very close to the Washington DC area and have found a lot of excitement over the ride being located in the region. Registration opens on December 1, 2011 for the June 2012 event.
Each and every year brings new opportunities for riding and exploration as we move around the state. And as a result of our relocation each time we create the event from the ground up each year.
We have many traditions that continue on year to year like the “You Did It!” celebration lunch and our much loved route signage. But each location has unique qualities and challenges (or as we like to think of them, opportunities for creativity).
At our Berryville headquarters (first tent city) we will bring back the “airport” style gear drop like the one used in 2010. This is needed because our tent city location cannot accommodate the 1,000 cars we need to park. A gear drop is used for riders to drop off their bike and camping gear before moving cars off-site to the nearby parking area.
New services/features for 2012:
Products- In 2012 we’ll offer an all new line of gear for sale. Bike Virginia Tour Arm Warmers, Shorts, Socks, Jacket, Vest, and Knee Warmers will be available for advance purchase through the online registration system.
Smart Phone App- This year we will partner with Guidebook to offer your tour book schedule in a Smart Phone app. This service will provide you with up to date information on scheduled activities and notices from event organizers. Details on Guidebook will be distributed by email to registered riders before the event start.
New GPS Data- Our route profiles and GPS files will be developed using a more accurate company, Ride with GPS. Look for better ride profiles and information on daily climbing totals. You asked us to say goodbye to Map My Ride! We listened. Route information will be available on the website as routes are finalized in spring 2012.
Hotel Bus Pass- Look for more efficient bus service to hotels this year. We will offer shuttles that service the official hotels. The pass system allows us to have better counts of the number of guests and location of those using this service. The fee for this services is a $10 charge for the 5 days. The fee helps offset rising transportation costs and allow us to manage our bus scheduling better for hotel guests. Purchase the hotel bus pass at the time of online registration.
One final change for 2012 is a new health department regulation that requires us to identify zones in our campground and be able to identify where our campers are in those zones. We will assign you a zone at registration, but you will be able to change the zone once at Tent City. Thanks for your understanding on this matter, we are working to make this as easy as possible.
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