Get ready for an exciting adventure with “The Great American Ride: A Virtual Team Bike Ride Across the USA.” From April 1 to May 31, 2023, participants will embark on a 3,700-mile virtual bike ride along the Great American Rail-Trail™, a project by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. This incredible journey allows you to experience the camaraderie of team cycling combined with the thrill of a solo ride. No matter where you are, you can join in and watch as your team’s dot moves across the map while enjoying facts and highlights about the locations you’ll pass along the way. So gather your team, track your miles, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure from the comfort of your own home. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!

The Great American Ride: A Virtual Team Bike Ride Across the USA

The Great American Ride is a thrilling virtual event. You can take a 3,700-mile bike ride across the United States without leaving your home. The event runs from April 1 to May 31, 2023. It’s a fun, interactive way to stay active and see the USA’s beauty. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or searching for a fresh challenge, the Great American Ride is for you. Join a team and start your cross-country journey!

How It Works

Participating in the Great American Ride is easy and convenient. As an individual team member, you will track your own rides using a GPS-enabled tracking system such as Strava, Map My Run, Garmin, or Wahoo. Simply log the time and distance of your ride into the reporting site, and your miles will be added to your team’s total. This will update the official leaderboard and move your team’s dot across the pre-mapped 3,700-mile course.

You can choose to ride at your own pace and in your own location, making this virtual event accessible to participants from all over the country. Each day, you’ll report your miles and watch your team make progress on the interactive map. It’s a great way to stay motivated and connected with your teammates throughout the ride.

Perks & SWAG

Participating in the Great American Ride comes with some fantastic perks and SWAG. Every participant will receive a unisex short sleeve shirt and an event medal to commemorate their achievement. You’ll also have access to a pre-mapped 3,700-mile course that takes you through some of the most iconic locations in the USA.

In addition, the Great American Ride offers a virtual travel experience through fun facts and photos of the places you would see along the route. This allows you to learn about the history, culture, and natural beauty of the areas you’re “passing through” during your virtual ride.

Referral Rewards

The Great American Ride is even more enjoyable when you share it with your friends and family. By referring others to join the event, you can earn referral rewards. If you refer five people, you’ll receive a Great American Ride water bottle. And if you refer ten people, you’ll receive a water bottle plus Goodr sunglasses.

To earn these rewards, simply share your unique referral link with others via email, social media, or text. Once they register using your link, their participation will count towards your referrals. It’s a great way to spread the word and earn some extra swag while doing so.

Teams

Joining a team adds a new level of camaraderie and motivation to the Great American Ride. While you must join a team, you can compete as a team of one or with up to twelve members. Assign one team captain to set up the team and share the team name and password (optional) for other members to register and join.

There are various team sizes available, including 4-person, 8-person, and 12-person teams. Additionally, you can choose between open teams, female teams, or co-ed teams with at least 50% female members. Participating as a team allows you to share the experience with others and work together to reach your mileage goals.

How to Log Activities

Logging your activities for the Great American Ride is a simple process. Using the participant look-up or registration lookup, you can easily access your profile and log your miles. There are two ways to log your activities: manually enter the time and distance or load activities from a file. If needed, you can also edit or delete your entries.

Remember to submit your miles regularly to ensure accurate tracking and to contribute to your team’s progress. This will allow you to see how far you’ve come and stay motivated throughout the event.

Course

The Great American Ride follows the route of the Great American Rail-Trail, a signature project of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. This developing trail is more than 53% complete and will connect over thousands of miles and 12 states between Washington State and Washington, D.C. By virtually riding this course, you’ll get a glimpse of the diverse landscapes and communities that make up the USA.

To enhance your virtual ride experience, the Great American Ride provides an interactive map that allows you to explore the different sections of the course. This will help you visualize your progress and get a sense of the locations you’re “traveling” through.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is the organization behind the Great American Rail-Trail and a key beneficiary of the Great American Ride. RTC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a nation connected by trails and creating safe ways for everyone to walk, bike, and be active outdoors.

As the nation’s largest trails organization, RTC advocates for the development and maintenance of multiuse trails across the country. By donating to RTC, you’re supporting their efforts to create safe and accessible trails for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.

Sports Backers

Sports Backers is the organization responsible for organizing the Great American Ride. Their mission is to inspire people to live actively by producing quality participatory events and advocating for safe bike and pedestrian infrastructure. They host group exercise programs and events that promote physical activity and well-being.

By participating in the Great American Ride, you’re supporting Sports Backers’ mission and helping them continue to encourage active living in communities across the country.

Join the Great American Ride today and embark on an exciting virtual journey across the USA. Not only will you challenge yourself physically and mentally, but you’ll also have the opportunity to explore the beauty and diversity of this great nation. Gather your team, track your rides, and watch as you make your way from coast to coast. Don’t miss out on this incredible adventure!