The I Bike Sonoma County Century, presented by Whole Foods Market is a benefit for Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition. Just riding supports our efforts to make Sonoma County the best place to ride a bike, but as a fundraiser, you're a real Superhero in our book!

To make riding as a fundraiser possible for as many people as possible, we've done the following:

1. Set a $0 registration fee for those who commit to raising a minimum of $500.

2. Set a very low registration fee for those who commit to raising a minimum of $250.

And there are great incentives (and we're working on more!):
1. Every fundraiser rider will receive a I Bike Sonoma County Century t-shirt. Choose your size at registration.

2. The top 11 fundraiser riders will receive an awesome Traffic Master jersey from Elevengear. 

3. The top fundraiser will receive a Novara road bike from REI. (Choose from the Strada or the women's specific Carema)

If you feel intimidated by the idea of fundraising, it's understandable. But you can totally do it! In fact, it can be fun (especially if you get a little competitive about it). Here are some pointers:

Please personalize your Active.com fundraiser profile as soon as possible. Personalization is the key to your successful fundraising campaign.

1. Add a photo of you, preferably one in which you are with or riding a bicycle.
2. Write your profile statement, making a strong case for why you’re riding the I Bike Sonoma County Century, and why you’ve chosen to ride as a Fundraiser Superhero.  Why should people to support you? To help you, here are some things you could write about:
1. What does bicycling mean to you? Maybe you have strong memories of riding as a child, and riding as an adult brings you back. Perhaps it’s a way you empower yourself to take personal action toward protecting the environment. Maybe it’s transformed your life in some way as an adult. Maybe riding has always been a part of your life – why?
2. Why are you excited about the I Bike Sonoma County Century?
3. If you are intimidated by the ride, why are you doing it anyway?
4. Why are you fundraising for Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition? What does Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition mean to you? Perhaps you appreciate our efforts to make Sonoma County the very best place to ride a bike. Maybe you value our Street Skills for Bike Riders classes. Love Safe Routes to School? Think it’s cool that we do valet bike parking? Why are you so excited that you’re asking your friends and family members to donate in support of your ride?
5. Tell people how their support will help you/what it will mean to you… “Knowing that you support me will help me keep pedaling when I bonk at mile 75.”  Or, “This is my first ride over 25 miles, and knowing you supported me will push me along.”
6. Suggest some donation amounts. “Your donation of $500, $250, $100, 50, 25” in support of my effort will make a huge difference for SCBC, and no donation is too small.”

We cannot overemphasize the importance of having a personal message and a photo of you on your profile. It is also extremely helpful to suggest donation amounts (as in “f” above); people are more likely to contribute when they have received suggested amounts.

Ask for support:

Once you’ve created your profile, decide who to ask for support. You should ask everyone you know! Make a list of your various activities (work, sports teams, school, church, choir, poker club, etc.) and list everyone you know from those activities. Email them, call them, ask them in person to support you. Direct them to your profile. They won’t be able to resist your charm and enthusiasm!

Your support and determination truly help us make Sonoma County the very best place to ride a bike! Thank you so, so much!