Bike Trip 2011 Packing List

One question keeps coming up from students as they pack, what do I need to bring? This list is for you! Remember that your luggage is due to the church by Friday at 3PM!

Facebook Your Questions Here

If you have other questions that aren’t answered below, you can Facebook your questions here:

Biking Clothes/Gear

First on your list should be your biking clothes/gear for six days of cycling. Here’s a recommended list of what to pack.

• Cycling Shorts (more than one pair would be best so you can wash them out and let them dry).
• Modesty shorts for when you get off of your bike.
• 6 extra pair of underwear for biking if you wear it under your biking shorts.
• 6 shirts for biking each day.
• 6 pair of socks for biking.
• A long sleeve shirt/sweatshirt and/or a light coat/jacket to wear biking if we encounter cold and/or rain.
• Cycling tights if you have them in the event of a cold day. (This is pretty unlikely, though.)
• Cycling gloves (optional, but very recommended).
• Cycling helmet.
• Mirror (mounted on helmet or handlebars).
• Cycling shoes (or shoes with a hard sole if you do not have clipless pedals).
• Cell phone if you have one. Don’t forget the charger!!! You will not be able to text during the trip, but you can have your cell phone while on your bike for emergency purposes.

Be sure that your bike is up to spec with the following…

• Water bottle(s)
• A travel bike bag of some kind and plastic map holder on handle bars
• A rearview mirror of some kind (bike or helmet)
• Front and rear brakes in top shape
• Front and back tires brand new or like new
• One spare tube (to be carried in your bike bag)
• Front and back deraillers cleaned, oiled, and adjusted
• Chain is new or in top shape, absolutely no rust

Casual Clothes

You will also need casual clothes for the evenings and Saturday.

• 6 sets of clothes for the evenings, Sun-Fri.
• 1 dry set of clothing (including extra underwear and shoes) for after rafting on Saturday
• Pack one pair of sweats or jeans for possible cold evenings or cold AC in churches
• Pack one long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt for possible cold evenings or cold AC in churches
• Don’t forget enough socks, underwear, extra shoes, hats, etc. that you might need/want

Toiletries/Sleeping Stuff

Don’t forget that you for your good and popularity with everyone else you need to shower and clean yourself each day!

• Shampoo (enough for 6 days)
• Deodorant (enough for 6 days)
• Toothpaste and toothbrush (enough for 6 days)
• Body wash/soap for showering ((enough for 6 days)
• Other incidentals, personal medications, etc. (enough for 6 days)
• Glasses and cleaner and/or contacts and solution for those who wear them (enough for 6 days)
• Gals, remember any feminine supplies you may need

And remember sleeping stuff or it’ll be a rough week.

• Sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Blow-up mattress (single only, not doubles — if you need to borrow one, let us know so we can find one for you.)
• Ear plugs (the old guys snore)

And…

Don’t forget to bring your bible, some pens, and journal if you like to write. You may also want to bring some extra spending money for the week and for your day at Six Flags.

Do Not Bring…

• iPods or mp3 players. We will take them from you for the week if you have them.
• Portable gaming devices.
• Other electronics, computers, etc.
• Fireworks, drugs, alcohol, etc.
• If you wonder whether or not you should bring it, the answer is probably no. (But if you’re not sure, ask Mike & Myra.)

I think that’s it. If you have any questions give the church office, Mike, Rocky, or Myra a call.

1. PDF of the Bike Trip 2010 Information Booklet. Click on the image to open it full screen. Mouse to the top of the screen to reveal a menu that will let you print the document.

You can also read all of this info in this post: Bike Trip 2010 – Information

2. PDF of the presentation slides from the February 11th meeting. Click on the image to view it in full screen mode.

3. Bike Trip 2010 Registration Form (also included in the Information Booklet)

4. Link to the 2009 Bike Trip Blog: saltcobiketrip.wordpress.com

Welcome to Bike Trip 2010!

We look forward to this dynamic week together of challenge, learning, sport and conditioning. No traditional camp can offer you what our Cycling/Adventure camp can. The next few pages cover the logistics of what is involved in Salt Co.’s unique and strategic approach to Student Ministry and Cycling.

Different types of events have different purposes for our group. Some are geared towards building community, increasing our focus on missions, outreach to non-church students, fun and excitement, leadership training, etc. The Bike Trip is one event directly targeted for the teen and his/her personal development, yet has value to each of the aforementioned areas. It is the best tool we use for character development and personal growth. Due to our location in north-central Indiana, we’re in an ideal geographic location to be able to do a Bike Trip. Following are some more specific thoughts about why we go.

The Basics

WHO: All students currently completing 8th through 12th grade.

WHEN: Sunday, June 13 to Sunday, June 20, 2010

WHAT & WHERE: We will be biking about 300-350 miles over the course of 6 days. We will head east across Indiana and into Ohio. We will end the week either white-water rafting, or with a fun-filled day at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. We will drive back home on Saturday, June 19. You will be expected to join us for church on Sunday, June 20.

COST: $250 per person. For each subsequent person per family, the price drops by $50. (2nd person is $200, 3rd is $150, etc.) There is a possibility of a slightly higher price to go rafting. Info will come soon.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
Sunday, April 11: FINAL Commitment & $50 deposit
Sunday, May 9: $100 mid-payment due
Saturday, June 5: $100 balance due

PRACTICE RIDE DATES:
1st Ride: May 1 • 19 miles (8 AM to Noon — Bike Inspection & Meeting @ 8 AM)
2nd Ride: May 8 • 33 miles (8 AM to 1 PM)
3rd Ride: May 22 • 55 miles (8 AM to 2:30 PM)
4th Ride: June 5 • 55 miles (8 AM to 3:00 PM — Final Details Meeting for All Parents @ 8 AM)
NOTE: You must make 3 of the 4 practice rides.

Why We Go…

1. Spiritual Growth and Renewal

The primary reason we do bike trips is for the spiritual growth and renewal of students. If you were to total up all the spiritual exposure a young person receives at church activities in a year it averages around 150 hours. Compare that to a week of 168 hours with no breaks or spiritual breakdowns in between and you can imagine the potential impact of a week together.

There are a variety of ways that this is accomplished throughout the week. Each day the group has a verse or verses of Scripture they memorize while biking. Every morning we have individual hang times with God (quiet times) and a group devotional. In the evenings we have a singing, sharing, and preaching/teaching time. This year we’ll again have small groups throughout the week. They will pray together and encourage one another along the way. Many teens make significant commitments and significant connections with others during our week together.

2. Physical Fitness

Regular exercise among teens in our culture is generally the exception rather than the rule. In our effort to provide holistic ministry (spirit, mind, body), the physical fitness aspect of the bike trip cannot be underestimated. Students will make great gains in their fitness both in training for the trip and on the trip itself. The tools students gain personally in learning to bike and push themselves often result in making biking a lifelong habit. The investment is not for a week, but for a lifetime.

3. Emotional/Personal Growth

There are a myriad of life principles to be learned on a bike trip. Among a few of these are:

• Learning to handle stress. (In your own strength or God’s?)
• Attitude determines altitude. (The height of achievement is determined by the attitude that drives you.)
• Learning to tough it out. (Sometimes biking is tough, so “pray & pace” but never quit.)
• Learning teamwork. (Don’t live to beat others, live to encourage, strengthen and serve in order to meet the goal together.)

4. Group Building

The bike trip gives teens a greater sense of belonging and provides a positive peer pressure that will help them rise above life’s temptations and challenges.

Safety and Fitness

Safety…

The following are for your protection and to ensure a safe and happy trip. By coming on this trip it is understood that you will whole-heartedly obey these rules and have a positive spirit toward them at all times. Failure to follow these rules, will, at the discretion of the staff, be grounds for you to be sent home immediately.

• Always stay with the group you are assigned to that day. When someone in your group falls behind, you must all wait. If one bike breaks down, you must all wait until repairs are made. We work together as a team for support, fellowship and safety – Lone Rangers will not be tolerated!
• Biking groups may not join together during the day. Each group must space themselves a quarter of a mile apart to prevent auto congestion. If you overtake a group, you must pass single-file in draft position and continue to bike in draft position until an appropriate distance is established.
• Always stay on the route. Very detailed maps will be given to everyone for each day. Taking a detour will not be tolerated.
• You must ride in single file on all major roads.
• You must have a positive and immediate response to all Staff requests.
• Your bike must be in perfect touring condition (see guidelines for specifics).

Fitness…

We are continuously reminded how important training and conditioning are. While we will have mandatory practice rides, you are the only one who can prepare for the trip adequately.

• Regular rides, i.e. a minimum of 3 days per week beginning in mid-April. Length of ride is no important at first. By the time of our first practice ride, you should be able to comfortably do a 25 mile ride in 2-3 hours.
• Push ups and sit ups – 3 days/week.
• Stretching – 5 minutes, slowly, without bouncing, every day.
• Aerobics/Jogging – to increase cardiovascular condition.

Additional Guidelines

The following must be complied to with with the same kind of commitment as the rules above.

Kind of Bike You Must Have:

• We STRONGLY recommend using a road bike (10 speed) because of the aerodynamics and weight.
• Cross bikes are acceptable (this bike is for road and gravel).
• Mountain bikes are not recommended (this bike is for off-road). If you are planning to use a mountain bike, it can’t weigh more than 30 lbs. and must have slick high pressure rear tires. Any questions, please contact Pastor Josh, Chad Hoffert, or Mike Marshall. (We HIGHLY recommend you NOT use a mountain bike and reserve the right to refuse your participation if you choose to ride a mountain bike.)

Your Bike Must Have:

• A water bottle.
• A travel bike bag of some kind, and plastic map holder on handle bars.
• A rearview mirror of some kind (bike or helmet).
• Front and rear brakes, in top shape.
• Front and back tires must be brand new or like new.
• One spare tube (to be carried in your bike bag).
• Front and back deraillers, cleaned, oiled, and adjusted.
• Chain is new or in tip-top shape – absolutely no rust.
• A bike helmet.

We Recommend You Have:

• A good tire pump (bike mounted, or CO2 cartridge in your bike bag).
• Biking gloves (this keeps your hands and forearms from becoming numb).
• Biking shorts (Padded shorts to make your ride more comfortable. They’re available in spandex or mountain bike style shorts).

Additional Requirements:

• Modest shorts only. We do allow spandex cycling shorts as they are an asset to effective and comfortable riding. However, we ask all cyclists to bring a light weight pair of loose fitting shorts with you in your bag or jersey to wear over your spandex anytime you are not cycling.
• Girls must wear modest tops at all times. No tank tops or tie-ups will be tolerated.
• Guys must wear a shirt of some kind at all times, with short sleeves, primarily for safety purposes.
• Everyone will be expected to be in bed by 10:00 PM and up by 6:00 AM each day.
• Everyone will be expected to help with cooking setup and cleanup.
• Everyone will be expected to take extra care of the churches we will be staying in.
• Everyone must bring one dozen homemade cookies, one batch of Rice Krispie treats, and one box of granola bars.

Final Items…

First Practice Ride – MAY 1 • 8:00 AM
We are asking all teens to attend a special meeting to communicate important bike trip training and safety tips. Safety is one of our top priorities. The group meeting will be held on May 1, beginning at 8:00 AM. We’ll ride from 9:00 AM to not later than 12:00 noon. Bring a snack and be ready to ride!

Forth Practice Ride – JUNE 5 • 8:00 AM
Inevitably, final details need to be communicated and ownership of the vision for our trip is crucial to each student’s enjoyment and profit. Therefore, we are asking all students and parents to be present for a half-hour meeting at 8:00 AM on Saturday, June 5. Please arrive at 7:45 AM that morning!

What to Bring for Practice Rides…

For practice rides, you will need to bring your own food. We will provide drinks and water on those days, but NOT food!

Here’s what to bring each ride:

Ride #1 • May 1, 2010 (8 AM)
Any snack, energy bar, etc. that you’d want to eat while riding or after the ride. We’rd biking about 20 miles this day.

Ride #2 • May 8, 2010 (8 AM)
Bring any snack, energy bar, etc. that you’d want to eat while riding or after the ride. You should also bring a snack, fruit, etc. for cookie break. We’rd biking about 34 miles this day.

Ride #3 • May 22, 2010 (8 AM)
Bring any snack, energy bar, etc. that you’d want to eat while riding or after the ride. You should bring a snack, fruit, etc. for cookie break and you should pack yourself a lunch. We’rd biking about 55 miles this day.

Ride #4 • June 5, 2010 (8 AM)
You should first of all, bring a parent today. Our final parent info meeting is this morning at 8:00. Be there by 7:45 so we can start on time.
You should also bring any snack, energy bar, etc. that you’d want to eat while riding or after the ride. You should bring a snack, fruit, etc. for cookie break and you should pack yourself a lunch. We’re biking about 55 miles this day.

Relive Bike Trip 2009…

2009 Bike Trip Blog: saltcobiketrip.wordpress.com

Bike Trip 2010 – Downloads

Check out this post to download the Bike Trip 2010 Information Booklet, Keynote Presentation, and Registration Form: Bike Trip 2010 – Downloadable Info