Frequently ASked Questions

Here are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about the Pan-Florida Challenge Cancer Bike Ride, our bike routes, fundraising, and your health and safety. Please let us know if you have any other questions by contacting us.

Health and Safety

How confident should I feel that this event will take place?

Pan-Florida Challenge is 100 percent committed to riding and hosting a safe event. We will follow safety guidelines recommended by USA Cycling and Ironman Triathlon for sporting events of our size and capacity. Those guidelines can be found https://bit.ly/3ovoykQ and https://bit.ly/2HEycRJ. As circumstances surrounding the pandemic continue to evolve, changes to these guidelines and to the format of our ride are subject to change. While things may look different to ensure your safety, you can be sure that we’ll ride!

Fundraising

How can every dollar raised go towards cancer prevention?

Pan-Florida Challenge strives to ensure that every dollar cyclists raise in donations goes directly to provide nutritious cancer fighting food to hungry kids, to fund cancer prevention research, and to support cancer patients of all ages and their families. Thanks to our sponsors (see question above), Pan-Florida Challenge Cancer Ride expenses are paid for, enabling every penny of rider-raised dollars to be spent on these critical mission activities. We are still recruiting sponsors to help cover these costs. If you or your company are interested, or if you know someone or an organization who may be, please contact us or visit our sponsorship page for more information.

Why is the fundraising minimum so high?

The Pan-Florida Challenge is a unique charity ride in two important ways. First, we provide cyclists with a first-class vacation ride experience by providing hot meals, quality hotel accommodations, warm showers, entertainment, fully-stocked water stops, and more. We provide all of this for a very low registration fee relative to the distance and services provided. Second, we recruit sponsors to pay these expenses who are happy to do so because they are impressed by the commitment and dedication of our cyclists both to training and raising the requested funds to fight cancer. Thanks to these sponsors, we at PFC can continue to provide a premium cycling experience for our riders while supporting cancer prevention activities.

What if I do not raise the minimum amount before the ride?

You have until May 15, 2021, to raise the minimum funding requirement**. We provide you with photos from the ride to help you fundraise after the ride event takes place. If you have not raised the minimum on May 15, the remaining balance due will be charged to your credit card on file from when you registered. For example, if you raised $1,200 with a $1,500 minimum, then $300 will be charged to your card on May 15, 2021. *Note: In 2019, PFC riders raised an average of $2,010 each, more than 1.5 times the minimum. When you share information about cancer patients in our local communities and the heroic challenge you are taking on to do something about it, people will support you with donations.*

Before the Ride

What should I eat and drink before the ride?

Detailed food and hydration tips based on the various ride distances will be discussed in your ride training guides. Start drinking extra water 2-3 days before the ride. Do not wait until the morning of the event to begin hydrating. It is best to avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine several days before the ride. These dehydrate you and it probably will be hot out there.

What should I pack? Wear? Bring with me?

Wear your PFC Jersey or t-shirt to the start! All riders should bring rain gear suitable for Florida winters. Put on sweat-resistant sunscreen before you leave home and bring more for the ride. Two-day riders are advised to bring several cycling kits. Pack an extra pair of gloves. Do not forget to bring any required medication.

How can I get my bike ready for the ride?

If you live locally, Trek Bicycle Store of Naples located at 9051 Tamiami Trail N., Naples, FL, offers any Pan-Florida Challenge rider a discount on goods and services. Call them at 239-591-8735 for more details.

What should I do to prepare my bike and equipment?

More information about bicycle maintenance will be provided in ride training guides and coaching tips provided to riders based on specific ride distances. Common sense recommends you make sure your bike is in good working order, including your chain and cassette. Those riding a century or longer will want to schedule bike maintenance at the end of a long training season and before the event. Cyclists will want to be riding on fresh tires and with certified helmets that have not sustained any wrecks or hard drops.

Is there a rider social hour before the ride?

Yes! On Friday, March 26, come out and meet fellow Pan-Florida Challenge riders, volunteers, and sponsors at the Kick-Off Party from 6-8 p.m..

When is packet pickup and where?

Packet pick up will occur a few days before the event, both in Naples and Fort Myers. More information will be provided closer to the event. Packets can also be picked up on ride day.

When do we get our jerseys?

Your 2021 Pan-Florida Challenge jersey or t-shirt will be given to you at packet pickup. You will also receive socks and a goody bag full of Pan-Florida Challenge gear.

How many riders will participate?

The 2021 Pan-Florida Challenge Cancer Ride is a premium athletic experience for riders of all levels. Riders have one bold goal: to raise funds for cancer prevention. Many of our riders report that the Pan-Florida Challenge Cancer Ride was the best ride they had ever done. This year we are limiting participation to 300 riders because we want every rider to have a superb experience – one that they will want to repeat year after year!

How much does it cost to ride in the Pan-Florida Challenge Cancer Ride?

Registration fees range from $35 to $200 depending on the route you choose and when you register. The fundraising minimum ranges from $250 to $2,000. 100 percent of the funds raised by riders to go directly to support our mission of cancer prevention. We offer a full set of online fundraising tools to help you reach your goal from your own site to recommended emails and fundraising ideas. The fundraising average per rider in 2019 was $2,010, significantly more than the minimum. You will enjoy unparalleled satisfaction in your epic accomplishment, and thousands of people in need will thank you.

Why should I do this?

Pan-Florida Challenge is a community united by our common desire to fight cancer. Our cyclists tell us the ride across Florida is one of the most satisfying experiences they have ever had. Many of them return each year even more determined to help as many people as possible. Many of our riders have never participated in an endurance event or tour previously. Some have athletic experience, while many are weekend cyclists who have never before trained for a long-distance ride. This is why we are offering the choice of multiple distances for the 2021 Pan-Florida Challenge Cancer Ride. Regardless of what distance you choose to ride, your participation will reward you with the satisfaction of completing the ride, meeting new friends, and the inspiration derived from helping people who need it the most.

During the Ride

How will Pan-Florida Challenge implement COVID-19 safety precautions?

Pan-Florida Challenge is committed to the health and wellbeing of every participant. As of now, certain features of the 2021 Pan-Florida Challenge Cancer Ride will be slightly altered to ensure social distancing (finish line party, packet pick up, etc.). However, we’d like to remind you that the core activity of our event is cycling, which takes place outdoors among nature and fresh air.

Are there scheduled stops along the way?

Yes! We will have at least eight water stops throughout the two-day ride. We will finish Day 1 at a hotel near Venice. (Routes and water stops are subject to change up until the day before the ride.)

Will I get left behind?

You will NEVER be left behind on your own. For riders selecting the 200-mile ride, we keep pace groups together with support vehicles in front/back of groups, SAG vehicles riding in zone coverage, and ride group leaders ahead of each pack of riders. You will only be riding alone if you want to be. You also will be fully supported on the ride.

I like the route and want to ride with my buddies. We often ride at 20-25 mph. Is that too fast?

Nope! You and your friends are welcome to join us. For riders selecting the 200-mile option, we will organize ride groups by speed. At registration you can select from different pace groups. These groups are Group A (21+ mph), Group B (18-20 mph), Group C (15-17 mph), and Group D (< 14 mph).

I would like to ride, but do not want to be left behind. Is 13 mph fast enough?

Yes! We will not leave any rider in the dust! For the 2-day 200-mile rides, we are grouping riders by speed and you will ride with others. We are asking riders to tell us the speed at which they want to ride. You will fit right in!

What will we eat during the ride?

We feed you at every water stop with: Bananas, peanut butter, jelly, white bread, wheat bread, oranges, Fig Newtons, cookies, Clif Bars, granola bars, dried fruit and trail mix with nuts, Power Bars, Luna Bars, pickles, pretzels, Gu, Gatorade, NUUN electrolyte replacement, and water. For anyone with food allergies please call 239-298-1620 or email jeri@panfloridachallenge.org.

I assume a van takes our luggage?

Yes, a moving truck takes the luggage. In your registration packet, you will be given a wristband with your name and bib number. Affix the luggage and bike tags on your gear. We will transport your bag to the overnight location where you can retrieve it when you obtain the key to your room. Return your bag and key to us in the morning and we will transport it to the finish line.

What if I do not want to share a room? Or have special needs?

Most rooms are double occupancy. Single rooms are very limited and will be assigned first to Heavy Hitters (riders who raise more than $3,000, at least double the fundraising minimum), then to sponsors, and alumni riders. For special rooming requests please call 239-298-1620 or email jeri@panfloridachallenge.org.

Where are we staying overnight?

200-mile riders will relax, rest, refuel, and stay overnight at Hotel Venezia in Venice, Florida. Rooms will be double occupancy. Each room will be air conditioned and have 1-2 beds, a television, and a private bath. Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast are included in your registration fee. Overflow rooms will be at a contiguous hotel chain.

Where do we start?

There will be two starting lines – one in the Fort Myers area and one in the Tampa area. Our start line locations for all routes will be announced shortly. Parking will be provided, as well as overnight parking for the 200-mile riders.

When do we start?

Saturday, March 27
At 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 27, the start lines open for all riders in Fort Myers and Tampa. This is the time to drop off your overnight bags, eat breakfast, pick up your packets, assemble ride groups, meet your ride group leaders, and get briefed on the morning ride.

– 200-mile riders will depart at 7:30 a.m.

Sunday, March 28
At 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 28, 200-mile riders will depart from the Hotel Venezia parking lot. This is the time to hydrate, assemble ride groups, and get briefed on the morning ride.