Cycling In Sync
The Virtual Ride for the New England Parkinson’s Ride
Join us for Cycling In Sync, the virtual ride experience that lets you be part of the New England Parkinson’s Ride from anywhere in the world! Whether you’re cycling solo, with friends, or leading a team, you can make an impact and ride in solidarity with thousands of cyclists dedicated to raising funds for Parkinson’s research.
What is Cycling In Sync?
Cycling In Sync is a way for riders who can’t attend the in-person New England Parkinson’s Ride to participate remotely. Whether you ride on the same day as the official event or choose another date that works for you, you’ll still be part of the movement to fund Parkinson’s research.
How It Works
- Register Online – Sign up for Cycling In Sync and a fundraising page will be generated for you.
- Choose Your Route – Map out a ride in your local area using our route planning guide (see the guide below).
- Ride Your Way – Choose your distance and ride at your own pace, indoors or outdoors. You could even dance, walk, or whatever gets you moving!
- Track & Share – Log your miles or minutes, share photos and videos on social media using #NEPRide, and celebrate your impact!
- Fundraise for a Cause – Every dollar raised supports research and programs for Parkinson’s. Adult virtual cyclists have a fundraising minimum of $50.
- Receive Your Ride Gear – In late August, individual registrants will receive an event t-shirt and a giveaway. Team captains will receive a package containing an NEPR banner, as well as t-shirts and giveaways for all team members.
Form a Team and Ride Together
- Invite your friends, family, and colleagues to join your Cycling In Sync team.
- Being a team captain means leading the way and motivating others to ride for the cause.
- Team captains will receive shirts, giveaways, and Ride banners to be given out to their team mates on their ride day.
- Work together to set fundraising goals and encourage each other throughout the journey.
Staying Connected
- Join the Community – Engage with fellow virtual riders in our online groups.
- Live Updates – Follow our social media for event day highlights and special shoutouts.
- Cyclist Spotlight – Share your story and photos with us to be featured on our website!
Make It Special
- Wear your official New England Parkinson’s Ride shirt while you ride.
- Dedicate your ride to someone affected by Parkinson’s and share their story.
- Celebrate your achievement with a post-ride gathering or virtual event with your supporters.
Ready to Ride?
Sign up today and start planning your virtual ride! Whether you ride a few miles or go the full distance, every pedal stroke brings us closer to a cure for Parkinson’s. Let’s ride together – no matter where we are!
Guide to Mapping Your Virtual Ride and Sharing It with Others
Participating as a virtual cyclist in the New England Parkinson’s Ride means you can ride from anywhere while supporting the cause. To make it easy for you and your team to plan a great ride, follow this step-by-step guide to map your route and share it with others.
Step 1: Choose Your Ride Distance and Terrain
- Determine how far you and your team want to ride (10, 50, or 100 miles, or a custom distance).
- Consider the terrain: do you prefer flat roads, rolling hills, or challenging climbs?
- Make sure your route is suitable for all team members based on their skill levels.
Step 2: Use Online Mapping Tools
There are several free and paid tools that make mapping your ride easy:
- Ride with GPS (www.ridewithgps.com) – Free basic route planning with turn-by-turn directions.
- Strava (www.strava.com) – Popular among cyclists; allows route creation and tracking.
- Google Maps (maps.google.com) – Good for estimating distances and road conditions.
- Komoot (www.komoot.com) – Great for finding cycling-friendly roads and trails.
Step 3: Plan Your Route
- Start from a safe and accessible location (e.g., a park, a bike-friendly trail, or your home).
- Identify key points: rest stops, water stations, and potential landmarks.
- Avoid high-traffic areas and unsafe intersections.
- Consider loop routes for convenience or point-to-point rides with a planned endpoint.
- Ensure your route is legal and open to cyclists.
Step 4: Test the Route
- If possible, do a test ride or drive the route to check for road conditions, closures, or unexpected obstacles.
- Adjust as needed to improve safety and enjoyment.
Step 5: Share Your Route with Others
Once you have mapped your ride, share it with your team and the broader New England Parkinson’s Ride community:
- Send a Link – Most mapping tools let you generate a shareable link to send via email or text.
- Create a Social Media Post – Share your route with an invitation to join using #NEPRide.
- Upload to Your Fundraising Page – Add your route details to encourage donations.
Step 6: Track and Celebrate Your Ride
- Use a fitness tracker or a cycling app to log your ride.
- Take photos or videos along the way and share them using #NEPRide.
- Celebrate your accomplishment by thanking your supporters and team members!
