12th Annual EBC Homestead Speedway

FREEDOM RIDE 2014

Sunday October 19, 2014 @ Homestead Miami Speedway

New this year - Includes a Family Festival!!

~ REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED ~

Thank you for your participation & support!

Check out the the Freedom Ride Photo Album here.

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WANT TO PURCHASE FREEDOM RIDE PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS TAKEN BY BIKETOURPHOTO.COM?
HURRY! First two weeks are two for one special deals!

Purple Heart Sponsor:

Bronze Heart Sponsor:

Rest Stop Sponsor:

SAG Sponsor:

In Kind Sponsors:

 Would you like to be a sponsor or a vendor at this amazing event that attracts over 600 riders?
Email: events@evergladesbc.com

Proud Partners:

Early Packet Pickup and walk-up registrations - CLOSED

(Bring CASH or CHECK for event registration and event merchandise)

•     Thursday, October 16, 5 PM - 7 PM, Mack Cycle & Fitness  Walk-up Registration Welcome!
•     Saturday, October 18, Noon - 5 PM,  Mack Cycle & Fitness  Walk-up Registration Welcome!   
•     Sunday, October 19 at 6 AM the morning of the event at the Homestead Speedway,  EBC Pavilion.

DOWNLOAD THE RIDE REGISTRATION FORM FOR WALK UP REGISTRATION - NOTE: You cannot sign the ride waiver for someone else during walk-up registration, only for yourself.  Individuals must sign the ride waiver for themselves or as a guardian/parent to a minor cyclist under the age of 18 (use 1 form per person).  If a friend is going to register for you during walk up registration, don't forget to download and SIGN the ride registration waiver form to provide the friend to bring in. Paper ride registration forms will also be available at packet pickup locations.

Day of Ride Information

Address: Homestead Miami Speedway
1 Speedway Boulevard Homestead, FL

Directions: Florida's Turnpike south. Exit on Speedway Boulevard (SW 137 Avenue). Turn left (south) on Speedway Boulevard, and go 4 miles to SW 336 Street. Turn right...YOU ARE THERE!

Parking: is available in the large lot across from the Speedway starting at 5 am.  Please do not leave valuables in your vehicle!

REMEMBER TO BRING:   Your bike, helmet, water bottles, sunscreen, sunglasses, cycling shoes, gloves, identification, health insurance card, cellphone, small amount of cash.  A plastic baggie to stash your valuables in case of rain.   And yes, people do forget their bikes!  Make sure to wear your event wristband (must have for rest stops and lunch)  and place rider numbers at designated locations on your jersey & bike.

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Ride and Family Festival Description

EBC's 12th ANNUAL EVENT benefits the FREEDOM TEAM OF WOUNDED VETERANS, a branch of Achilles International.  The FREEDOM TEAM of handcyclists, accompanied by sponsoring cyclist-buddies, will be leading out the group of riders.  Riders who are wearing the event jerseys will be at the start of the pack. The event begins with with ONE LAP around the Homestead Miami Speedway Track. The Century (100 miles) and Metric Century (62 miles) head to Key Largo. The 10, 26 and 41 mile courses continue through rural south Miami-Dade County. This year we have included 1.5-3 miles loop around the Speedway Track for beginners who want that one of a kind experience on their bicycle.

• The Honda GOLD WING motorcycle club will serve as Freedom Team escorts and will ensure safe passage of all riders on heavily-trafficked or narrow roads like Card Sound Road.
• SAG support will be available on all courses for mechanical and flat tire assistance, as well as transportation for cyclists suffering from fatigue. 
• Rest Stops along each route will be stocked with water, sports drinks, and energy snacks.
• Lunch is included in your registration and is served upon return to the Speedway

Register Early!  Save $$, opportunity to buy the official event jersey qualifying you to start the ride at the beginning of the pack.

Jersey Purchase Only: $65.00

Don't know what size jersey to buy?

Check out the PRIMAL fit guide chart: http://www.primalwear.com/custom/fit-guide

(They are club cut jersey style not racing style).

EBC members save $$ on each of our annual events!  Join or renew NOW and save on this event registration!

*Is your EBC membership still active?  Only EBC members active on the day of Packet Pickup will qualify for EBC members rates.  Check your EBC MEMBERSHIP STATUS at the EBC ACTIVE members directory.  If you are not listed, then your membership has expired.

Great Routes available

1.5-3 miles loop around the Speedway Track

For beginners who want that one of a kind experience on their bicycle

10 Mile Beginner & Freedom Team Members
For those looking to ride a short distance, but still experience the lap on the Speedway track, this is it!  You will return to enjoy the Family Festival and await the arrival of the longer-distance riders!

25 Mile Ride
This is a perfect distance ride for the family get together, the beginning cyclist, or those of you just getting back into the saddle.

41 Mile Ride
Back by popular demand! We are offering an intermediate ride of 40 miles for those who desire to ride more than the 25 mile fun ride, but not a full metric century. A popular choice when it's windy outside!

62 Mile Metric Century Key Largo
For those a little more ambitious, metric century riders will accompany the century riders on the Key Largo Loop.

100 Mile Century Key Largo - BEST VALUE!!!
For those who are looking for the ultimate challenge Century riders will join the Metric Century riders for the Key Largo Loop, then travel thru southern Miami-Dade County.

*FIRST TIME EVER!!! 10 TO 100 MILES RIDE ROUTES THROUGH THE HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE!

New this year - FAMILY FESTIVAL:

Family members, friends and all are invited to the FAMILY FESTIVAL at the Speedway event site. Enjoy musical entertainment while visiting our sponsor booths full of great information to continue or start a healthy lifestyle. 

FREE Children's activities will include:

• STRIDER Obstacle Course:   These no-pedal bikes are designed to teach tots as young as 18-months old to learn balance, coordination and confidence on a bike.  Local Strider dealer Greg Thek of Two Wheel Tykes will provide the no-pedal bikes and helmets and guide kids thru the fun obstacle course.
• BIKE RODEO for KIDS:   The great folks at University of Miami's BikeSafe program will set up a bicycle safety skills course for children thru middle school.  It's a great way to teach kids how to ride a bike correctly using proper hand-signaling and coordination.  You must bring your own bike and helmet to participate.  Bikes and helmets will not be available.
• BICYCLE HELMET FITTING:   Be sure your helmet and your children's helmets fit properly to avoid injury!  SafeKids Miami Dade of Miami Children's Hospital will be on hand to fit your helmets for maximum safety.

LUNCH available for purchase at the event site.

Benefiting Charity: 

FREEDOM TEAM OF WOUNDED VETERANS (Achilles International)
Net proceeds from EBC "Freedom Ride 2014" will go to the Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans, a program launched in 2004 by Achilles International, giving military veterans an opportunity to be active, build confidence & self-esteem, and achieve personal growth & goals.

The Freedom Team uses handcycles to ride and compete in marathons and cycling events, overcoming physical limitations by using cycling as a way to rehabilitate, train and participate in mainstream athletic endeavors.  The local Achilles International chapter works with the Miami VA Hospital and Jackson Health System in providing support and services for these wounded veterans.

Miami-Dade County Parks Department works with Achilles in providing park space for training rides & competitions, as well as storage space for the handcycles at the Homestead Air Reserve Park.

EBC supports our military veterans and welcomes all cyclists, regardless of ability, to join and become part of our cycling community.

DONATIONS WELCOMED! EVEN IF YOU DON'T RIDE YOU CAN STILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Besides participating in this awesome cycling event hosted by EBC every year for the past 12 years to benefit a charity, you can also donate directly to the Freedom Team of Wounded warriors. Click Here to visit the online donation page.

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Volunteers Needed
Would you like to become a volunteer for FREEDOM RIDE 2014?  Don't forget that even if you are riding at the event, there are many opportunities to help and ride.  Just one neat opportunity is to ioin the FREEDOM TEAM of handcyclists, who will be leading out the riders this year.   Give a little of yourselves as they have given us so much.

We're using VolunteerSpot  to organize  Here’s how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Click this link to see open positions on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/1q48qq
2) Review the activities listed and choose the one(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy and you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on VolunteerSpot.  Remember, VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. 

Need more info?
For more information or questions about participating in this event, or becoming a sponsor, contact Ride Co-Chairs Sue Kawalerski and Carole Sheets at events@evergladesbc.com.  Please enter "FREEDOM RIDE" or "FREEDOM RIDE SPONSOR" in the subject line.