Harbor to the Bay

HONORING WORLD AIDS DAY BENEFIT

H2B News — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 21:22:40 +0000

HONORING WORLD AIDS DAY is a benefit for Harbor to the Bay scheduled for Dec 1st at 7:30 pm at Club Cafe. The event is hosted by long-time H2B supporter and friend CAROL O’SHAUGHNESSY and will feature many of your Napoleon Room Favorites.

All Proceeds will benefit Harbor to the Bay. Tickets are available at the Club Cafe website.

Ride On! Note from Jim & more

H2B News — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 19:18:34 +0000

Contents:

Join the Sisters & Club Café Staff for their annual Staff Drag Show
Pick up Rider & Crew Kits at Club Café
A message from Jim Morgrage

The Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence invite ALL riders, crew members and friends to join us for the @harbortothebay Club Café Staff and Friends Drag Show on October 5th starting at 7pm. All proceeds will continue to be added to our fund for this year’s total! Tickets for this 21+ event are $20 and available through the Club Café website.

If you missed your chance to get your rider or crew kit for the Ride, you still have time. Rider & Crew Kits are available for pick up for the next few weeks at Club Café 4pm-9pm Monday – Friday, or 11am -9pm Saturday and Sunday.

________________________________________

Dear Riders & Crew!

So, I am stuck again in finding the absolute PERFECT things to say to convey the appreciation I have for ALL of you who have EVER signed up, volunteered for, or donated to Harbor to the Bay.

The reality is there is NO perfect way to convey that gratitude in a way that could match what EACH and EVERY one of you have given to this cause over the last 21 YEARS!

So let me just say a simple THANK YOU as I know EACH of YOU and I know that would be enough.

The work we have done to raise funds and show those living with HIV/AIDS that we are still here, and we still care about them, is nothing short of INCREDIBLE.

The overwhelming amount of work we have done as we have supported each other, over the last 21 years, in putting this event together is NOTHING LESS than AWESOME.

Last but certainly not least, the generosity you have all shown in that support of all of us and getting us to more than $7.14 Million in our 21 years of fundraising is AMAZING.

You have ALL changed my life in a profound and wonderful way! When things get tough, I close my eyes and picture myself on the ride with all of you and I can immediately feel that love and support, and sometimes even hear the cow bells and whistles. I hope this works for all of you as well as the GREATEST gift we have in this life is EACH other. Thank You again for the ride of a lifetime.

I will tell you with ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY we are NOT finished, we will be getting to work on other projects, and we will be reaching out for that support. HIV/AIDS is NOT over yet which means our work is NOT yet finished either.

For me, personally, to be able to get off my BIKE for the LAST time on a Harbor to the Bay Ride, at the very pit stop my family has volunteered at for the last 21 years and riding with one of my Best friends, Mary Breen, was the GREATEST way to finish up.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Jim

2023 Club Cafe Staff Drag Show on 10/5

H2B News — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 03:39:20 +0000

The Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence invite ALL riders, crew members and friends to join us for the @harbortothebay Club Café Staff and Friends Drag Show on October 5^th starting at 7pm. All proceeds will continue to be added to our fund for this year’s total!

Join the Good Sisters with guests Britney Beards, Mizery, Briar Brush, Rusty Hammer & MORE!

Tickets for this 21+ event are $20 and available through the Club Café website.

Spread the word about a great show for a great cause.

Ride ON! IMPORTANT Changes for the Weekend

H2B News — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 01:03:50 +0000

With the anticipated weather for the Saturday, we have made the hard decision to only do the Boston to Sagamore Bridge portion of the Ride. To say we are disappointed is an understatement. Based on current predictions, we think the first part of the ride will be fairly dry. Conditions are expected to worsen on the Cape end of the Ride. We also learned today that the Rail Trail is still a mess from last week’s storm.

We will have rider registration open at Club Café tomorrow from 1-8pm. On Saturday, for ALL riders who wish to participate, Club Café will open at 4:30 AM for Rider check in and breakfast. Ride out will happen between 6:15-6:30. There will be NO Sagamore to Ptown ride, nor will there be a PTown loop. Crew, you will receive email from your Pit Stops leaders regarding your assignments.

To be clear, even if you signed up for the Sagamore to Ptown or Ptown Loop, you can show up at Club Cafe on Saturday morning and ride.

Our Pit Stops from Boston to the Sagamore Bridge will maintain the same hours of operation:

Pit 1 Weymouth Nash School (1003 Front Street, S. Weymouth) -14.7 Miles from the Start of the Ride
Opens: 6:30 a.m. | Closes: 8:30 a.m.

Pit 2 Halifax (Check Point) Halifax Boat Ramp (Across from 497 Monponsett St. Halifax) – 15.9 Miles from Pit 1
Opens: 7:15 a.m. | Closes: 9:45 a.m.

Pit 3 Plymouth Town Green (Town Green across from 35A Pleasant St., Plymouth) – 13.0 Miles from Pit 2
Opens: 8:00 a.m. | Closes: 11:00 a.m.

Pit 4 Bourne (Check Point) Sagamore Bridge (MBTA Lot near Mary Lou’s Coffee – 1 Canal Pl, Sagamore Beach) – 14.8 Miles from Pit 3
Opens: 8:45 a.m. | Closes: 12:45 p.m.

Once we reach Sagamore Bridge, we will feed you the lunches loving made by our friends at Bread and Roses in Wells, ME. Folks will either head home, or go to Ptown. You can pick up any luggage you have at the Bridge. Any luggage left after 12:45pm will be available at the Harbor Hotel on Saturday. Any luggage not picked up will go back to Club Café and be made available on Monday.

Our plan is to provide transportation back to either Club Café, or on to Provincetown. We need to know if you need a ride back to either Boston, or Ptown. So, PLEASE fill out our very short questionnaire we sent you via email. Because of other events at the Harbor Hotel, we can’t provide the meals we planned for Saturday afternoon. Our closing ceremony at the Boatslip is now scheduled for 7:30pm and we will be either on the covered dance floor or under the tent. We will not have our typical ride-in from the Harbor Hotel. We will have brunch on Sunday as scheduled.

Please note that Harbor to the Bay will end at Sagamore. Riders, should you choose to continue past the bridge, you will be on your own. It will be without ride support, pit stops, food, etc. We have alerted the communities on the Cape side that we are not riding.

We thank you in advance for your patience.

Your Harbor to the Bay Planning Committee

Ride On! Rain Edition

H2B News — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 01:07:51 +0000

Weather for Saturday
At this time the weather forecast on Saturday is calling for rain showers with temps in the low 60s. Folks who have done this ride for years won’t be surprised. Our Rider Valentina has tips for you to get through the weather:

Ride with caution. Slow down on the downhills.
Wear arm warmers and knee warmers at the start if it’s cold and for the end to stay warm.
Dress in layers that you can carry and put on as needed. Riding in a sweatshirt is not a good option – it weighs a ton if it gets wet, and it is hard to pack away. If you aren’t familiar with base layers for riding – read this article.
Wear fingerless or fingered gloves to improve your handlebar grip and keep your hands warm.
Carry your phone in a waterproof Ziploc bag.
Cover your bike saddle with a thin plastic bag if needed.
Carry single-use plastic bags you can slip over your socks to keep your feet dry.
Carry a bike cap or thin hat you can wear under your helmet.
Check your bike tires to make sure they have good tread. Replace if needed.
Check your brake shoes. Replace if needed.
Pack an extra bike tube (that means two).
Pack warmer clothes to wear after the ride – even if you planned to take the ferry back to Boston.

We’ll be under a tent at the Boatslip for closing ceremonies, but it can be breezy there.

We still can’t wait for Saturday!

Harbor to the Bay Planning Committee

Ride On! Here we go!

H2B News — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 20:38:30 +0000

Contents

Hydration Reminder
Route Marking, Notes & Safety Videos
Food & Beverages While Riding – and Crew Too
Pit Stop Hours and Driving Directions
End of Ride Food
Sunday Brunch at Tin Pan Alley

HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE!
Hopefully, you have started hydrating for Saturday’s ride. Don’t go crazy, but make sure you are getting at least 8 glasses of non-alcoholic fluid daily – crew too! Many of the people picked up by the SAG team are folks who waited until Friday to start hydrating.

The weather predictions for Saturday are cloudy and in the mid to upper 60s, and maybe a little rain – remember to wear sunscreen!

Route Marking, Notes, & Safety Videos

There are painted route arrows on the ride, as well as paper cue sheets available at registration locations. This article covers reading our route arrows – https://stage.harbortothebay.org/how-to-follow-an-arrowed-route/ We have a handout in your Riders kit explaining the arrows as well.

Ride-with-GPS links are provided in our last mailing – https://stage.harbortothebay.org/rideonsept132023/

On our check of the route on Sunday we noticed a couple of things. Between miles 50 – 52 (Plymouth), there will be increased traffic while we are going through due to an event starting at Noon. Also, Tropical Storm Lee left the berms on the Cape a bit of a mess, so bring extra tubes just in case.

Ride Weekend Schedule – https://stage.harbortothebay.org/ride-agenda-for-2023/
Mandatory Safety Videos – https://stage.harbortothebay.org/safety-videos/ We are doing the honor system – we trust our Riders and Crew will take the time to watch them.

The Police Chiefs in the communities we travel through remind us that riders are required to follow all traffic laws along the route, including stopping at all red lights and stop signs.

Food & Beverages While Riding – and Crew Too

Saturday morning, we will have breakfast foods at Club Café and the Sagamore Bridge. Riders starting in Boston will have lunch at Pit Stop 4- Sagamore Bridge. Riders starting at Pit Stop 4 will have lunch at Pit Stop 6 in Brewster. Riders doing the Ptown loop will have ride snacks, water & Gatorade at ride out and lunch provided when they return. Folks crewing from Pit Stop 4 onward will have lunches available at your stops.

Every Pit Stop will have snacks, Gatorade, and water available. Some will have homemade treats. Speaking of Gatorade, we were gifted with 1440 Gatorade single-serve powder sticks. And, we love free things for our riders and crew. Fill your water bottle about ¾ full of water, add the contents of the packet, and shake.

Pit Stop Hours and Driving Directions
You can find the hours of operation for all pit stops for Ride 21 at the link below. Riders, please keep these times in mind as you pace your ride – the times are also on the cue sheets and a slip of paper we included in your rider kit. You must be through the Pit Stop by the time it closes or you will be picked up and driven to the next open pit stop. We do this to keep riders on track to finish on time – also to make sure you have sufficient sunlight to ride safely for the entirety of your day.

*Fast Riders: Please note that the second half of the ride does not open until 10:30 AM. If you arrive at the bridge before then, you will be asked to wait and join the half day riders with their start.

Share the pit stop locations with your friends – https://stage.harbortothebay.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/H2BPitStops2023short-web.pdf

End of Ride Food

THERE will BE NO BUFFET at the BOATSLIP this year!

We will be feeding everyone at the Harbor Hotel with a combination of Pizza, sandwiches, and salads from our friends at Twisted Pizza, and food (no drinks) from the Cabana Grill at the Harbor Hotel.

You must show your H2B Red wristband at all locations, and the food will be charged and paid for by Harbor to the Bay, and Paul and Carol Rose, our incredible sponsors.

So PLEASE be sure to get something to eat at that last pit stop. Food will be available until 7 pm.

The Celebration at the Boatslip will be a toast to our 21^st and Final Ride and a brief ceremony.

Sunday Brunch at Tin Pan Alley

Brunch at Tin Pan Alley will be as it has been in the past, but the times have shifted earlier so Tin Pan Alley staff can prepare for their regular day. It will be a buffet with indoor and outdoor seating. Please log onto the website and visit https://stage.harbortothebay.org/my-account/ to RSVP for you and one guest. Seating is limited at each time, so save your spot now. Remember, you need the wristband for brunch too. Again, food only, and please tip the volunteer staff.

We can’t wait to see you this weekend!

Harbor to the Bay Planning Committee

Ride On! $7M, Route info, Arrows & More

H2B News — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 00:00:16 +0000

Contents

We’ve exceeded $7,000,000
Route Changes
Check These Blogs Out!
RideWithGPS Route URLs
Other Things
Catch a Ride from Trinity to the Bridge
Attn: Cyclists for the PTown Short Ride

Thanks to you and all of the Harbor to the Bay participants over the years, we have raised over $7 Million across our 21 rides! Well done! We cannot express how exciting it is to reach this milestone. It is a credit to the vision of the late Michael Tye, and the thousands of riders and crew who made his event a reality.

Route Changes

Adams St, Bourne – by order of Bourne Police Dept
After walking across Sagamore Bridge, Riders remount bikes and enter bike lane created on Adams St heading away from Cranberry Highway and onto Sandwich Road. Riders MUST STOP at intersection of Adams St and Sandwich Road.
Riding into Harbor Hotel

Due to construction, we are riding into the second entrance to the Hotel off Commercial St by way of Truro. Please pay attention to the crew.

Check These Blogs Out!

As we mentioned last week, our Rider Tim Fitzgerald wrote a great blog on getting ready for the Ride and don’t forget to have extra tubes, tire irons, and a hand pump on your bike.

Our Route Manager Joe Richard blogged about how to follow our route and all about safe riding.
https://stage.harbortothebay.org/how-to-follow-an-arrowed-route/
https://stage.harbortothebay.org/you-have-heard-of-safe-sex-now-it-is-time-to-talk-about-safe-riding/

RideWithGPS Route URLs

Below are the links to our Ride route. We will also have cue sheets available. We travel the full route this Sunday to make sure there are no last-minute route changes (because road construction happens). If you are using GPS on Ride day, wait until the middle of next week to download and install the Route.

Harbor to the Bay: Boston to Provincetown
Boston, MA121.4 mi 4,636 ft
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31127622

Harbor to the Bay: Sagamore Bridge to Provincetown
Sagamore Bridge, MA 63.1 mi 2358 ft
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44433491

Harbor to the Bay: Short 20 Mile Ptown Loop
Provincetown, MA20.6 mi 946 ft
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40865172

Other Things
Sign in and RSVP for Brunch –
Ride Day Schedule – https://stage.harbortothebay.org/ride-agenda-for-2023/
Mandatory Safety Videos – https://stage.harbortothebay.org/safety-videos/ We are doing the honor system – we trust our Riders and Crew will take the time to watch them.

Catch a Ride from Club Cafe to the Bridge

We have a limited number of seats in a van for riders starting at Sagamore Bridge. This van will continue with assignments on the route after dropping off passengers. On Sunday, we can give rides to a limited number of people back to Boston/Sagamore Bridge.

To request a seat, contact jmorgrage@aol.com

CYCLISTS FOR PTOWN SHORT RIDE – we are sending your kits to Ptown for pick up at the Harbor Hotel when you gather to ride out.

Talk to you next week! We can’t wait to see you!

The Harbor to the Bay Planning Committee

Ride On! Sept 7th

H2B News — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 13:00:16 +0000

Contents:

The My Account Page
Fundraising
Training Ride THIS Saturday
Required Safety Videos & Preparations
Food at PTown
Harbor to the Bingo! Fundraiser

Greetings Riders, Crew & Friends!

At this writing, we have 253 riders,168 crew members and have raised $ 251,748.19. Great work! We are just over $31K away from raising $7 Million over the course of these 21 Rides. With your continued fundraising, we should not only meet that number, but well surpass it.

Rider Registration is closed, but we still need crew.

The My Account Page

Have a question about the ride, fundraising and weekend events? There are links to everything you will need from your My Accounts page. You will find links to purchasing Parking discount tickets and making Brunch RSVPs there because we require you to sign in for them

If you need ideas for writing fundraising letters and posts, we have materials available under “Fundraising for Harbor to the Bay” on your My Account page.

Fundraising

If you are hanging on to checks to turn in the Friday before the Ride, we ask that you mail them in before Ride Day. Our mailing address i:

Harbor to the Bay
P.O. Box 990243
Boston, MA 02199

Our last rider report showed scores of Riders with $0 raised. This event is an all-volunteer effort to raise money for our beneficiaries. Please honor our work by fundraising for the Ride.

From there, you will also find your fundraising link, edit your profile, add a picture, and, generate a blog post for your page.

Training Ride THIS Saturday

We are hosting an End-of-Training Ride this Saturday, 9/9. It starts at Cold Spring Park in Newton at 8am and stops for Brunch hosted by Club Café. Visit https://stage.harbortothebay.org/h2b-end-of-training-ride-9-9-2023/ and RSVP with rosetina808@gmail.com

Required Safety Videos & Preparations

The Cities and Towns we ride through require our participants to watch several safety videos – There is useful info stuff for Riders & Crew – especially if you are driving beside our Riders.

Rider Tim Fitzgerald authored a great blog discussing what to expect Ride Weekend. Check out Final Preparations – and don’t forget your helmet.

Food at PTown

This year we eat BEFORE riding to the Boat Slip. Twisted Pizza is providing a variety of foods, and Harbor Hotel’s Pool Side Grill is also available for meals. Riders and Crew must wear their number Ride Bracelets to get free food. Friends and family can order and pay for meals at the Pool Side Grill. We’ll start serving around 3pm.

Sunday’s Brunch at Tin Pan Alley requires reservations. Sign into your My Accounts Page to find the RSVP link.

Harbor to the Bingo! Fundraiser

Our next Harbor to the Bingo in on Monday, Sept 11^th 7pm-11pm. This about as easy as fundraising gets. Show up, sign up, stay and play, and a share of the funds we raise that night go to YOUR fundraising account!

Again, thank you for all of your efforts in making our little, all-volunteer, 100% charity Ride a success!

H2B Planning Committee

H2B End-of-Training Ride – Saturday September 9, 2023

H2B News — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 23:26:36 +0000

All H2B riders are welcome!

This is a great ride for people who think Cleveland Circle is in Western Massachusetts. It is also
a route that will help riders prepare and feel confident for H2B.

We’ll start (and end) at Cold Spring Park in Newton and ride to Lincoln on a very scenic, quirky
and rural route. This is a fun ride in the countryside, passing farms and Ponyhenge, crossing a
wooden bridge over the Sudbury River (great Zen spot), riding through the sculpture garden at
the DeCordova Museum, and going through a National Wildlife Preserve. The ride ends with
brunch at Club Café.

The full ride is a 39-mile roundtrip from Cold Spring Park. There are multiple options for
shortcuts along the way, so you can do a ride of 37 miles, 35 miles, or as short as 30 miles.
Riders with gps-enabled cycle computers and cellphones will be able to download the route
from ridewithgps.

There will be a rest stop at Verrill Farm (farm stand food and drinks, and bathrooms).
Depending on the number of riders and skill levels, we may split into two groups. The casual
pace group will average approx 15mph and no one will be left behind. If there are enough
faster riders, there are several places where they can add a few more miles (and hills) and then
reconnect with the group. The faster group will probably be in the 16 to 18 mph range, with
fewer regroupings.

Brunch is generously provided by Club Cafe (alcoholic beverages not included).

PRE-RIDE TO GET TO THE START: Meet at 8:00 AM at the Boathouse in Jamaica Plain – 6.5 mile ride to Cold Spring Park

START (9:00 AM): Cold Spring Park, 1094 Beacon Street, Newton. There are a lot of free parking options at and near Cold Spring Park

END (target time: 12:30 PM) at Cold Spring Park

POST-RIDE BRUNCH: Club Café (8 miles from Cold Spring Park)

Helmets required.

Please RSVP to Valentina Rosa at rosetina808@gmail.com if you are planning to join so we can get a headcount for brunch.

Thank you,

Valentina Rosa & Warren Green

CyberFriday 2023 Fundraising

H2B News — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 14:24:41 +0000

$21,000 goal:

$31,519.41 + $21K match =$52,519.41

In tribute to the memories of Wayne Fette and Tim Stein, long-standing supporters of Harbor to the Bay.