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Day to Day

on the ride

The Empire State Ride is the hardest ride you will ever love.

We fight cancer and this is how.

ESR campsite

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Riders arrive at Wagner College in Staten Island, New York for orientation and check-in.

The next morning, hundreds of riders start the adventure together.

ESR riders posing for picture with "Halfway to the Falls" sign

your own pace

Average riding distance each day is around 79 miles. Ride at your own pace. Train for an average of 14-15 miles per hour. This will get you to rest stops and into camp each day with plenty of time to rest, refuel and refresh. First-aid, mechanics and scheduled shuttles are available in case of emergencies.

ESR riders at finish line

finish line

At the finish line, be welcomed by a mile of cheering and smiling faces as you ride down Old Falls Street in Niagara Falls.

Enjoy music, food, drinks, vendors and the eighth wonder of the world, Niagara Falls.

camp life

Catered camping is the core of the Empire State Ride experience. Each camp has a rider reception and services area, tenting area, dining and program tent. Restrooms or portable restrooms and a traveling shower truck are available on site. A bike repair team will be ready, and there will be electronics charging stations and power available for CPAP machines.

Tents, air mattresses, camp chairs, and clean towels are set up and taken down daily for road warriors on the Empire State Ride. We camp at  state parks, fairgrounds, colleges, and schools. We do our best to make sure you and your bike are ready for the next day.

ESR rider fixing bike
ESR campsite
Two ESR riders having conversation
ESR riders eating ice cream
ESR participants attending nightly program

Dining

Breakfast is served early daily so riders can depart at their own pace in the cool of the morning. Lunch is provided on route. Dinner is served in camp each night. Snacks and water are available always at camp, rest stops and in case of emergencies.

Recreation

After dinner each night, there’s a brief map meeting, followed by a nightly program focused on our mission to end cancer. You may stick around after for cycling tech talks, camp games, campfires and socializing.

daily schedule

6 a.m.

Breakfast served at camp

7 – 8 a.m.

Depart from camp

1 – 5:30 p.m.

Rolling finish line into camp

3 p.m.

Last rest stop target time — cyclists struggling to finish should schedule the ESR shuttle to camp to avoid a late finish

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Dinner at camp

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Evening programming

8 p.m.

Free time

ESR riders crossing the road
Group of ESR riders
Two ESR riders looking out into the distance

rider support

Your safety and enjoyment are our top priorities. Check out the list of rider support perks.

Catered dining (breakfast and dinner in camp)

Lunch on the road at a rest stop

Snacks and beverages

Frequent rest stops with food, hydration and portable restrooms

Luggage transportation

Catered camping — camp set up and take down

Personal tent

Air mattress

Camp chair

Towel service

Restrooms/portable restrooms

Shower truck

Bicycle checks

Basic bike repairs (complex repairs at the riders’ expense)

Scheduled shuttle boosts to help riders in need finish the day’s mileage

Law enforcement to assist with traffic safety

Coordination with local emergency services

Route signs and markings

Medical and athletic trainer teams

Fundraising support

Empire State Ride private Facebook group

rider support

Your safety and enjoyment are our top priorities. Check out the list of rider support perks.

Catered dining (breakfast and dinner in camp)

Lunch on the road at a rest stop

Snacks and beverages

Frequent rest stops with food, hydration and portable restrooms

Luggage transportation

Catered camping — camp set up and take down

Personal tent

Air mattress

Camp chair

Towel service

Restrooms and/or portable restrooms

Shower truck

Bicycle checks

Basic bike repairs (complex repairs at the riders’ expense)

Scheduled shuttle boosts to help riders in need finish the day’s mileage

Law enforcement to assist with traffic safety

Coordination with local emergency services

Route signs and markings

Medical and athletic trainer teams

Fundraising support

Empire State Ride private Facebook group

Two ESR riders smiling and drinking water

weather

Empire State Ride happens rain or shine. Pack for varying weather conditions. In the event of extreme weather, like heat, high winds or lightning, our staff will recommend the best course of action.

COVID-19 Protocol

Empire State Ride is committed to providing a safe experience for our riders, volunteers, vendors, staff, and the communities that welcome us. With this in mind, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or negative test within 72 hours of check-in will be required to participate in the Empire State Ride weeklong event. COVID-19 guidance and safety protocols are ever-changing. In addition to vaccine requirements, we are continuously monitoring and will adhere to the latest New York State and CDC guidance for masks, social distancing and other protocols.

ESR riders hugging at finish line

proceeds directly benefit

Copyright 2022.
Roswell Park Alliance Foundation.