PABLOVE ACROSS AMERICA 2023

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About registration:

What are the dates?

PAA 2023 will take place September 26-30, 2023. This year’s event will have us travel from Palm Springs to San Diego, CA. We’re producing an epic experience for you!

Here’s our itinerary:

September 25 — Welcome to Palm Springs

September 26 — Ride out of Palm Springs

September 27 — Ride to San Diego

September 28-30 — Loop out of San Diego

September 30 — Finish line event + beginning departure from San Diego

October 1* — All riders depart from San Diego 

* The PAA package covers up to six nights of lodging for a final departure on October 1.  

 

What is the cost to register? 

Each five-day rider must pay a $100 registration fee at the time of registration.

We offer an $50 early registration fee until 02/28/2023

 

Is there a registration deadline? 

Yes. Registration for 5-day and 1-day riders is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline for 5-day riders is August 15, 2023, but the ride may sell out well before that deadline.

 

Is there a cancellation deadline? 

Yes. If you need to withdraw your participation, please do so by June 11, 2023. This date correlates with the schedule of cancellation penalty payments to our vendors.  We obviously want to avoid penalties. We may need to ask you to pay for the cancellation fees if you cancel after June 11, 2023. 

 

Is there a minimum age to register? 

Yes. 5-day riders must be 18 years of age or older.  Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis and may include having the minor accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.  Please reach out to [email protected] for more information. 

 

Are there different rider options for PAA 2023? 

Yes. One can ride the full 5 days with the peloton or opt to join us to ride just a day or two depending on space availability. Preference will be given to 5-day riders. Registration for 1-day participation will open in June 2022, maybe earlier.  In addition, Day 5 is designed as a community ride and will be open to 1-day riders.    

Day 5 – San Diego Community ride: what does that mean for PAA riders?

Day 5 will be a fun and special day for PAA riders! This year we are launching a single day ride in San Diego for those who can’t commit to the full week. 5 day riders will receive the same support as the rest of the week but with the added fun of a festive start/finish area and 100+ extra riders. Ride leaders will lead the same groups with follow cars and all staff on hand. One day riders will have a long or short loop option with full support. This is a good opportunity to bring out family or friends to have a chance to ride with you to help finish off the week. Everyone will then get to enjoy our finish line with food trucks, live music, photo opps and tales from the ride. PAA riders will return to the hotel after lunch for a scheduled massage and bike packing with the mechanics.    

Is it possible to bring along a traveling companion on PAA? 

Yes. You may bring along someone provided you pay the set fees for their hotel accommodations and their meals. This information is provided during the registration process.  The fee is estimated based on our hotel contract fees and do not include a significant profit margin in support of our cause.  We obviously encourage every PAA participant to give and fundraise to support kids living with cancer, and assume that your companion will join your individual fundraising efforts.  Depending on your companions’ preferences, we may also have some cruisers to use to get to nearby destinations. If you choose to bring a travel companion and/or family, please register them as early as possible.  We may not be able to accommodate all companion requests after mid June because of our Hotels’ requirements to lock our final hotel room block.  Contact Jono at [email protected] or 480-612-3634 for more details and assistance.

 

About fundraising:

Is there a fundraising requirement for participants? 

Yes. Each PAA rider must raise a minimum of $7,500 to participate in our 5-day ride.  In the event that you do not meet the minimum fundraising requirement by September 1, 2023, The Pablove Foundation has the authority to and will charge your credit card for the remaining balance. If you continue to fundraise after your credit card has been processed with the remaining balance, The Pablove Foundation will reimburse your card only upon written request. Funds charged to your card will be reimbursed via check in early January 2023 only if you request the refund by December 31, 2023. No reimbursements will be processed after December 31st, 2023. All donations processed by The Pablove Foundation are non-refundable and non-transferable, even if you do not participate in the event. The registration fee is non-refundable, non-transferable, and not tax deductible.

 

What should donors do if they want to donate by check (by mail)?

It is extremely helpful if your donor downloads this   Pablove Donor Form PLEASE USE THIS FORM INSTEAD: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/search?q=Donor%20form

and mail it in along with their check so that it attributed to your campaign.  Please make all checks payable to The Pablove Foundation. All donations should be mailed to this address:

The Pablove Foundation

3255 Cahuenga Blvd West, Suite 210

Los Angeles, CA 90068

 

The only way we will know that a mail-in contribution was made on your behalf is if the donor includes a note stating so, or if they write your name in the memo line of the check. Therefore, including the SAME: please use the form at this location instead. Pablove Donor Form is important. 

 

When will I receive my fundraising incentives?

Unless otherwise announced, and if you have met a fundraising milestone by August 1, you will receive the corresponding incentives upon arrival at the ride. You are encouraged to continue fundraising during the ride itself, as this can be the most effective time to rally for donations as you post live updates from the road. All remaining incentives will be calculated on your fundraising total as of September 30, 2023 and will be mailed to you ASAP. 

 

How long do I have to fundraise?

We would love for you to fundraise towards your goal until December 31, 2023.  Funds charged to your card will be reimbursed via check in early January 2024 only if you request the refund by December 31, 2023.

 

About planning and preparations:

 What is provided for me on the ride? What expenses should I expect? 

• We provide a professional grade experience, including bike mechanic and soigneur (massage therapist) services, nutritious meals and on-bike food and drink, and double-occupancy hotel rooms for 5-day riders. 
• All riders will be provided with a Pablove cycling short-sleeve jersey when their fundraising reaches $5,000, or upon arrival in Palm Springs. Matching bib shorts will be available for purchase.   

All registered cyclists are responsible for the logistics and costs of their own personal travel and bike shipping to and from the start and end points of the ride week or day. If you prefer a single room during the ride, you must pay in advance for a room upgrade. All hotel accommodations and meals will be provided to participants, paid companions, and crew during the ride. Pablove will be covering double-occupancy lodging for all riders beginning on Tuesday, September 26 and ending on Sunday, October 1 for an am departure (a total of six nights).  Breakfast on Sunday is on your own.   

 

Is the five-day ride appropriate for novice riders? 

Generally speaking, the 5-day ride is open to all recreational to racing riders.  Even if you are a beginner or haven’t taken out your bike in a while, with the appropriate amount of training over the months leading up to the ride, one can attain the necessary skills to ride on PAA. To participate you must be able to: comfortably ride back to back days, complete a century (100 miles) in eight hours, draft behind other riders, work with several other riders in a pace-line formation at speeds ranging from 15 to 25 miles per hour, and have experience riding in the rain. Riders are grouped into 4 different groups with other riders who best match their skill level and at least one lead rider to guide them on the road. If you have questions or concerns about your current skill-level we encourage riders to reach out to Jonathan at [email protected] or (480) 612-3634 to make sure this ride matches your abilities and preferences. 

 

About the ride itself:

Is there an opportunity to do laundry during your stay?

We collect riding gear each day that needs to be washed and we return it to you the next day. You will be provided with a washable laundry bag with your name on it. Please note, we only wash gear in cold water and we do not run it through a dryer. Please bring enough gear to get you through a couple of days at least to allow time for washed gear to hang dry in your room.

Tires and Tubes. While this ride is fully supported, you can help us out greatly by making sure you have some spares with you for the week, as this saves everyone a bit of time and it helps to avoid unnecessary problems: 

Tires – Each rider is encouraged to bring one spare of their own preferred model. 

Tubes – Each rider should bring at least four tubes in preferred valve length for the wheels. Please check the `packing list provided in the Pablove Across America handbook.

Have you considered health safety, including COVID-19 concerns?

Pablove is committed to adhering to local and event hotel rules + regulations, especially as it pertains to local ordinances regarding COVID-19.  We expect all riders, PAA guests, companions, contractors, and staff (PAA participants) to adhere to the local, hotel, and additional Pablove guidelines.  If in conflict, the more stringent rules and regulations will apply.  Please visit here for additional information.  

 

Is there a health insurance requirement to participate in the ride? 

While we cannot require you to hold personal health insurance, we highly recommend that all participants maintain personal health insurance coverage. You will be required to submit a copy of your state-issued ID and valid insurance card to The Pablove Foundation to participate in the ride.

About communications/social media:

What are the PAA hashtags?

#pabloveacrossamerica 

#pablovecycling 

#pablove

Follow us on Instagram @pablovecycling and our main page, @pablovefoundation, on Facebook. 

Tag early and often!