March Madness
- Rain doesn't stop us in March (John Whitehead, Bill, Anne Huber)
The 14th annual March Madness Event is here!!
March Madness means it’s time to forget the winter weather and ride your bike. Choose your mileage goal and challenge yourself to ride your bike more than you thought possible – around town, around the county, around the world, for commuting, pleasure or any purpose. It's up to you! And know that all of the proceeds go to purchasing cycling helmets for school aged children.
This year the March Madness Committee made the decision to open registration to everyone!
Also, this year's DBC President has made it possible to ride your bike on March Zero since it is a leap year this year, riders will be able to start their mileage on March 0 (formerly known as February 29th). The miles that you ride on March 0 will be added to the March 1st miles and added into the mileage tracker.
What is March Madness and how does it work?
- Lee Mitchell fits a student's new helmet
- Riders then ride as much as they can during the month of March and keep track of all their bicycle miles either at this new web link online (at this website) also at http://mm.dbcultra.org/ or by hand.
- The club then takes the entry fees and applies all the proceeds to purchase cycling helmets for school aged children.
- Club volunteers travel (by bike!) to schools around Yolo County to hand out and fit the helmets to kids who have been nominated by each school's staff.
- The rider who puts in the most miles earns the awe and respect of their fellow riders.
- You do not need to be a Davis Bike Club member to participate, however, if you would like to become a member....Learn about membership here.
- One of Ken Johnson's 4000-something March miles
Are there any rules?
- Mileage tracking is based on the honor system - on your honor you track and record the miles you ride
- Indoor riding is limited to a total of 1000 miles, so spin classes, stationary bicycles, etc....
- Indoor riding is also limited to 15 miles per hour on spin bikes, stationary bikes, etc...unless your stationary bike has an odometer that tracks actual miles per hour.
In addition to the opportunity to ride a lot of miles, March Madness offers participants more:
- March Madness Custom Jersey - There is a unique March Madness jersey available for purchase every year which has your mileage printed on the sleeve. This year the March Madness jerseys will have an "End of the World 2012" - Aztec Mayan Calendar theme. Click here to order your 2012 March Madness jersey!
- Enter your March Madness pics in the photo contest
- March Madness Banquet - In June the club holds the annual March Madness banquet. Banquet tickets can be purchased on the registration site for March Madness from February 15th through March 31st (extended from March 15th), space is limited so get your tickets now! March Madness Awards are given to top riders and photo contest winners. The annual March Madness banquet this year will be held at the Veterans Memorial Center, on 14th street in Davis, California, from 6pm to 9pm on Sunday, June 3rd, 2012.
- 2012! March Madness Bike Safety Clinics and Rodeos - Believe it or not, there are Davis residents and school aged children that don't know many safety rules about bikes. Also, several Davis residents who would love to ride their bikes simply don't know how to check them to make sure they are okay to ride. Several bike clinics will take place during the month of March to provide this important information. These bike clinics will provide information to attendees on simple safety facts, bike checks, how to fix a flat, how to hydrate while riding a bike and other great information. More details coming soon!
Get out and ride!
- Get out and ride
The full amount of your entry fee goes towards bike helmets and safety programs for kids. It’s a win/win situation. You gain fitness, adventure, camaraderie and you save fuel. Kids get free helmets, delivered and fitted by the March Madness Committee members and DBC volunteers, and we support bicycle safety.
Registration is online, however, you can register online and opt to send in a check rather than have to use your credit card online. March Madness registration
March 31st is the deadline if you want a unique, souvenir jersey. (The deadline has been extended to March 31st from March 15th so you can get an accurate goal mileage)
Any ride qualifies and there is at least one brevet in the month of March and several special March Madness rides. So ride with the club, your family, your neighbors, alone, to shop, to church or for a haircut. Give the car a rest. You could even bike to school with the kids. However, be sure to wear your helmet. You don't even have to go outside - trainers and spinning classes qualify.
Questions?
Contact the 2012 March Madness Co-Chairs - Mary James and Gabrielle Morris
