Greetings again from Weatherford, Texas!
It’s been a few months (and a lot of miles) since I wrote a newsletter. My time on the Board of Directors has been interesting to say the least but the most rewarding part has been working with the first line of contact system that greets our Riders in joining the Route – Registration. We have been working hard to improve, simplify and streamline our registration and check-in system with some great results. If you haven’t seen for yourself, you need to get registered ASAP.
Although we try to plan and prepare for all major downstream effects, it’s hard to catch everything. That’s why we greatly appreciate your feedback and suggestions. An outstanding bit of feedback and constructive suggestion was provided regarding the new graduated fee structure for registration and how it might affect the Day Rider who may decide on short notice to join us on the road. Knowing that the “Last Minute Joe” fee in affect after May 1st might turn people away, we took that great feedback and turned it into a plan…
Day Rider Registration
A Day Rider will be defined as anyone who rides with or participates in RFTW activities, at or between up to three consecutive overnight stop locations on Central, Midway, or Southern Route or two consecutive locations on SandBox Route. Following are the ground rules:
- May be applied to any Motorcycle, 4 Wheel or Auto-cycle Participant
- Maximum duration: Check-in on the evening of first location, participate through morning of the last location, but does not depart with the pack.
- The 3 (or less) locations must be consecutive and on the same Route
- Day Riders will be issued a special wrist band and ribbon to signify their participation
- Day Riders will have full access for participation on all Route events during their registered period
- The Day Rider Registration Fee will be equal to that of the Early Bird fee of the respective Route, i.e. $45 for Central/Midway/Southern & $15 for SandBox
Day Rider Registration Extension
If a Day Rider completes their registration period and decides to extend further down the road (yes, it has happened) the Route Check-in Teams will be prepared with a special in-person registration process that will allow the rider to apply their already paid Day Rider fee toward full registration. After paying the difference in price to current full registration, they will be issued the regular wrist band and ribbon covering the rest of their journey. This option may be exercised only during the Run.
How the Process Will Work
On 01 FEB 2023, when the fee structure shifts to “Regular Registration” pricing, there will also be a new selection on the registration pages for a Day Rider check box that will allow for the reduced fee as noted above. To be eligible for Day Rider status, the registration MUST indicate a Ride-to location as either one of the next two overnight stop locations after the Sign-in location on the selected Route. For example, on Central Route a Day Rider may Sign-in at Williams and Ride-to Angel Fire. With that selection, they may check-in at Williams (evening or the next morning) and ride with the pack to Angel Fire and even join in morning activities the next day – two full days of the Run. If they would like to continue on with the pack from Angel Fire, the Registration Extension option will allow them stay on the Run. The Day Rider Registration Option will be available starting 01 FEB and will be in effect throughout the full execution of the Routes in May.
Don’t wait till May!
If you plan to register as a Day Rider or are coordinating a group of Day Riders, please get everyone registered as soon as possible. It won’t make a difference in your cost, even if you register today, but it will help our State Coordinators with getting the best attendance info possible to our supporters along the Route. Our awesome State Coordinators need your support!
The way forward…
Like every organization, Run For The Wall has made adjustments for the changing environment in which we all live today. Even so, your Board and Route Leadership keep the Mission at heart and keep those people who benefit from their efforts as their focus for all decisions and actions. Your feedback and constructive suggestions are taken very seriously and will turn into course corrections whenever they reveal a path that better serves both Mission and People. Every one of the Board and Route Leaders are also participants just like you, and they want to see our Run and its Mission continue long into the future. Mutual respect and confidence that we will each perform our role in getting there is the fuel that will keep us all moving forward.
I look forward to seeing you all next May!
Sincerely,
Billie “Bugs” Dunlap
Run For The Wall
Vice President & Chairman of the Board
RFTW XXXII SandBox Route Coordinator
RFTW XXXI Southern Route Coordinator
e: billie.dunlap@rftw.us
Together We Ride!
