Tools and Rules
Age Restrictions
Because of cycling’s inherent hazards and our event’s tight communal living quarters following long rides, we have the following age policy for our ride.
Riders under 14:
Riders under 14 may participate in the Sunday ride if accompanied by their parent/guardian. However, we urge participants choosing to do so to use special caution and to be prepared to offer their own support vehicle as needed. As for anyone, experience riding a distance similar to the one they would be undertaking is a plus.
Riders 14 - 17:
Riders 14-17 may participate for any length of the journey so long as they bring their own chaperone, such as a parent, guardian, teacher, etc. We ask for at least 1 chaperone per 4 minors.
Riders 18+ are encouraged to join us as they are able!
A Note on Safety:
Every activity has its hazards, and cycling is no different. Our ride will spend the majority of its time on public roads with automobile traffic, so special caution will be needed throughout. One should not feel a sense of fear while cycling. However, certain riding techniques can help to significantly lower your risk.
It is the obligation of every rider who participates to be familiar with safe cycling methods prior to attending any part of the Bike4eMi. Wearing a helmet is required for our trip and the starting point of bike safety, not its end point.
A simple internet search for bicycling safety will bring a flood of worthwhile reading material on the subject to get you started. Talking with and asking for tips from other cyclists in your area or at your local bike shop can be very valuable, and of course actual time spent on your bike prior to your participation will only help you become better prepared.
Take a few minutes and begin reading some tips online. Here are a few sites to help get you started:
Bicycle Traffic Safety
How to Not Get Hit by Cars!
Simple Living:
“Live simply so that others can Simply Live,” we encourage the participants to try to do without many of the luxuries in our ordinary lives that most of the world cannot enjoy.
As on an EMI trip or with our mission partners that live overseas. Living simply causes us to be more creative than we otherwise would be and to bond together as a group. It lowers the cost of the trip, which directly allows us to help and serve more people around the world. It moves our focus from entertaining ourselves to engaging the community and world around us.
Of course, because of the nature of our event, there are some natural limitations. We’re very committed to ensuring that the riders are well fed. We don’t sacrifice safety, so we hope everyone carries a cell phone. We don’t expect you to give up all email and correspondence with the outside world. We use a support van with GPS. We try to accommodate media.
So what’s our point? We’re not going to get legalistic about this and make it into a bunch of rules, but to make the most of this special experience, we will be encouraging you to take this opportunity to challenge yourself to live more simply.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich…Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.”
– 2 Corinthians 8:9, 13-14
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:11-13
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
© 2005 Engineering Ministries International, USA. All rights reserved.
