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Upcoming Hometown Events

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EVENT | Sep 21 2025

rideATAXIA Hometown Twin Cities

Join us this September for a family-friendly ride along the Mississippi River Greenway Trail!

rideATAXIA
Scharr’s Bluff Gathering Center, Hastings, Minnesota
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Participation Types

Join the rideATAXIA team YOUR way! Ride individually in your neighborhood or host a community event as part of the rideATAXIA program series — the choice is yours! There are several Hometown options to choose from based on your level of interest and cycling experience. rideATAXIA staff can offer guidance and support to help you execute your event.

Contact jenna.allie@curefa.org to start planning.

hometown logo

Group Ride

Ride your favorite local routes as an individual or with a group of friends! Whether you choose a specific day or set a monthly mileage goal, you can document your progress on your fundraising page.

 

  • Ride on your favorite route or in a local cycling event
  • Road or trail route, or stationary trainer
  • You choose the ride length or mileage goal
Learn More
1

Stationary Ride Event

Interested in taking rideATAXIA indoors? Utilize a local spin studio to host an event. Connect with your favorite spin instructor for an energizing ride to fundraise for research.

 

  • Hosted in a reputable cycling studio
  • Certified instructor required
  • Length and number of participants will be determined by the studio
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Trail Ride Event

Organizing a rideATAXIA Trail Ride is a great way to bring your friends and family together to support FA research. While these events require a significant time commitment from a committee, they effectively engage the local community and provide an opportunity for participants to fundraise with their larger networks, maximizing the impact. You will be the event organizer, and the rideATAXIA Team will meet regularly with you to offer guidance and provide feedback.

 

  • Max ~100 participants
  • Trail route only (max ~20 miles)
  • Post-ride gathering that includes refreshments
  • Must include a walk option
Learn More
3

Group Ride Planning Guide

Ride your favorite local routes as an individual or with a group of friends! Whether you choose a specific day or set a monthly mileage goal, you can document your progress on your fundraising page.

Research permitting requirements before setting a date and time that works for your group

Visit rideataxia.org/hometown to register as an individual or create a team

Share your fundraising page on all your social media platforms

Create your donor list and decide the best way to reach out (mail, email, phone, etc)

Raise $1,000 and receive fundraising swag from FARA: rideATAXIA jersey or current premium SWAG item

Before your ride day, review our safety checklist to make sure you are following the rideATAXIA Rules of the Road

Trail Ride Planning Guide

If you have a favorite local paved trail, this event option may be right for you. Select a trail with no vehicular traffic and limit the riding distance to ~20 miles. Consider a post-ride gathering, including refreshments, as a way for participants to celebrate their cycling and fundraising achievements.

Be sure to give yourself 6-8 months lead time to plan a rideATAXIA Hometown trail ride.

Contact Jenna Allie, rideATAXIA Events Coordinator, at jenna.allie@curefa.org

Form a volunteer committee of at least 3 people who meet on a regular basis

Select a date – consider local weather, venue availability, and FARA-hosted event calendar

Trail Ride Overview

Trail Selection

  • Research local bike trails
  • Ensure the route is an out-and-back trail or a loop that does not exceed ~20 miles
  • Determine that the trail is accessible by vehicle every few miles
  • Ask a local cyclist to ride the trail and provide feedback
  • Plan rest stops every 5-10 miles along the route that include two volunteers, a table with snacks and drinks, and access to a restroom

Select a Start/End Location

  • Account for proximity to a trail, venue accessibility, and parking availability
  • Consider other infrastructure such as bathrooms, picnic tables, pavilions, electricity, and running water

Volunteer Recruitment

  • Determine areas that need volunteers and number of volunteers (e.g. packet stuffing, setting up, registration, clean up)
  • Set event schedule

Safety and Permitting (at least 90 days pre-event)

  • Secure trail permitting and communicate with local authorities
  • Confirm venue reservation and determine if any food permits, noise permits, or garbage disposal plans are required
  • Work with FARA to see what insurance or additional liability coverage is needed
  • Review rideATAXIA safety checklist

Fundraising

  • Create an event fundraising goal in collaboration with staff
  • Put together an event budget
  • Promote peer-to-peer fundraising to participants
  • FARA/rideATAXIA can provide sample messaging and infographics to share the organization’s mission

Trail Ride Responsibilities

Event Organizer Responsibilities

  • Assemble a planning committee and host regular meetings
  • Recruit participants and volunteers
  • Create a budget and production schedule
  • Select a venue and after-party location
  • Secure permissions, contracts, and permits
  • Create a route map and identify any road crossings
  • Select a location for a rest stop
  • Oversee day-of operations to ensure a successful event

How FARA Can Help

  • Offer planning, operations, and safety guidance
  • Provide an online registration and fundraising platform
  • Supply t-shirts for all participants who register 2 weeks in advance
  • Offer SWAG for fundraisers who raise over $1,000: rideATAXIA jersey or current premium SWAG item
  • Design and provide branded signage for event and other necessary materials
  • Provide support for pre-approved event expenses, not to exceed 10% of your events budgeted income