I ride for all cancer patients, survivors & those that lost their battle. I ride as a cancer survivor and in memory of my brother, Andy.
Month: July 2020
What To Know Before Riding With Us
The Ride Team has been hard at work the past few months to create fun, safe weekend Ride events that will allow the Ride community to experience a little of what you know and love about the Ride for Roswell.
We are following New York State and CDC guidelines to allow us to hold the Summer of the Ride. Part of those guidelines include a few things you need to know about Ride Day, no matter where you’re riding.
Rain is in the forecast.
But we won’t let it dampen the last weekend of the Summer of the Ride!
Our celebration weekend rides will take place, rain or shine. We’re keeping a close eye on the weather and taking the necessary measures to provide the safest and most enjoyable day possible.
Here are some helpful tips to ensure that you’re prepared for a rainy ride:
- Check the weather and your email before leaving home for important weather updates and any event announcements.
- Dress in layers and synthetic fabrics that won’t absorb the rain. Bring an extra set of clothes to change into after your ride.
- Protect your phone in a zip lock bag.
- Be careful riding over painted lines and avoid standing water — you never know if a pothole might be hiding underneath.
- If possible, bring spare tubes so our marshals can fix your bike up and get you back on your ride.
- If there are any route changes just follow the directions on the route and have fun!
General Preventative Actions
Staff, volunteers and riders are urged to take everyday preventative actions to help prevent the spread of germs and illness. This includes:
- Cleaning your hands often
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
- Staying home when you are sick
- Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow
Keep a safe distance
At every opportunity, maintain a 6-foot distance from those not in your group.
Routes
You can review your route, check out rest rooms and water stops before your Ride Day and follow along in real time by using Ride with GPS.
Masks
Upon arriving at your in-person ride location, parking your car and gathering your ride gear, we ask that everyone wear a mask. If you forget a mask, we will have masks available at check-in. Masks should be worn at all times.
Bike Safety
- Prior to riding, you should complete the ABC bike check by looking at your air pressure, brakes and chain.
- You should not use headphones while riding so that you can hear your fellow riders and be aware of your surroundings. Your fully charged cellphone IS an important safety tool, though, so bring your phone on your ride.
- Don’t ride more than two abreast. Traveling in groups of more than two riders side by side makes it difficult for both cars and other riders to pass safely. Put plenty of space between yourself and the rider in front of you.
- Obey all traffic signals, devices and signs.
- Use verbal commands and hand signals. Use loud and clear communication!
- Declare your intentions by using hand signals to alert drivers and riders when you turn, slow or stop.
Text alerts
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Grand Island
Text the word ROSWELL to 55222 to sign-up for last-minute Grand Island ride texts alerts. -
UB
Text the word BIKE to 55222 to sign-up for last-minute UB ride texts alerts. -
Akron
Text the letters RFR to 55222 to sign-up for last-minute Akron ride texts alerts.
Health Screening
At check-in you will be asked to complete a self-screening, which includes a list of questions and symptoms to confirm you are cleared to ride. The screening will include hand sanitizer and a mask if you forgot yours! Self-screening questions will include:
In the last 14 days, have you had a new onset of any of the following symptoms:
- Fever (>100.4)
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Lost sense of smell or taste
In the last 14 days have you:
- Been exposed to someone with or suspected of COVID-19
- Traveled to one of the states that require mandatory quarantine under New York State’s travel advisory
If you answer yes to any of the above, you unfortunately will not be able to participate in Ride Day to ensure the safety of our riders, volunteers and staff.
EVENT ACTIVITIES
While these in-person rides will give you a little bit of that much-loved Ride Day experience, including a selfie station, to-go food from Tops Markets and music, there are a few things you should know:
- To eliminate points of contact, we encourage you to take care of all cash, check and credit card donations prior to your Ride Day.
- We will not be distributing Rider Rewards at the in-person events. They will be mailed to you or you can collect them at a Curbside Reward pickup later in August.
The Ride Team is here to help. If you have any concerns or questions, reach out at any time. We will be with you every step of your Ride Day, ensuring that teams get out, cleaning surfaces, directing routes and more.
See you on your Ride Day!
More Cowbell: M&T Bank’s Iconic Support for the Ride for Roswell
It’s hard to imagine the Ride for Roswell without the M&T Bank start and finish lines towering over the University at Buffalo’s North Campus. They are such an iconic part of Ride Day – and the feeling of crossing beneath them while riding with your friends and family to end cancer is unlike any other.
But in 2011, there were no M&T start or finish lines or volunteers in the hundreds cheering and ringing cowbells. It was just six employees, organized by Ann Marie Hulbert, doing their part in the fight against cancer. They fundraised what they could and tied a banner to a tree, according to Tim McMorrow, Group Vice President at M&T Bank and one of those six people.
Fast forward to 2019, when 189 of the company’s very own crossed the finish line on June 22. And with more than 200 volunteers, M&T Bank raised more than $120,000 for patients at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Participating in some capacity at the Ride is something that many M&T Bank employees look forward to each year. And it all stems from community.
“We have a saying: ‘When a community succeeds, we all succeed,’” Tim said. “Bringing together our community for the greater good is really important to everyone here. And [the Ride] brought all of that together.
“My wife was a patient at Roswell Park for over three years. When we were going there regularly and I was in the lobby, I’d run into employees from M&T. It just goes to show you how Roswell touches our community at the bank.”
Katie Coyle, Assistant Vice President at M&T Bank, agrees.
“Everyone has someone that’s been to Roswell. I took an Uber from the airport back into Buffalo, and the driver was talking to me about Roswell. Every aspect of my life has a connection to Roswell – both professionally and personally.”
Think Globally, Act Locally
It’s no small task organizing M&T Bank’s participation in the Ride, but it’s something that Tim and Katie do with pride and love.
“I [always] go back to the story of how it all started and where we’ve grown,” Tim said. “It’s really a small core that brings us all together. And it always makes me feel happy.”
Katie also loves how it brings everyone together.
“During Ride Weekend, I see people from around the bank that I only see there – it’s a time to catch up. It brings us all closer in our internal and external communities.”
Participating in the Ride means so much to so many M&T Bank employees. Here are just a few people they ride for.
We couldn’t imagine the Ride without M&T Bank and all their employees. Thank you for making the Ride Weekend experience so special!
Kathy S
I ride in honor of my mom – Cindy, sister-Sue, aunts-Marcia, Maryann, Santa, cousins-Shane & Kenn, & friends Marta, Bridget, Lucy, Emmett
Kathy S
I ride in memory of my grandmother – Merethea, my sister-in-law – Concetta, my aunt – Molly Devlin, and my uncle – Jerome.
Janet k
I ride for my son who is a brain cancer survivor! SimonStrong
Adam F
I am riding in memory of the strongest man I know, My Dad Marv who lost his battle to cancer in January.
Branden F
I ride for my Mom, she is a 10 year cancer Survivor because of Roswell!
Monica F
This year I ride in memory of my father in law Marv who lost his battle to Pancreatic Cancer.
Judy R
For my Uncle Dave – who never got the chance to win the fight.
