Frequently Asked Questions
SEA TRI KAN is an adventurous, non-competitive, recreational, fundraising bicycle tour. We expect to ride in groups and meet at rest stops and at overnight stops. Half the fun will be getting to know fellow riders over breakfast in the morning, encouraging each other up the hills, and stretching sore muscles at night. It is very doable for casual riders who are willing to put in some spring training. We've even prepared a suggested training plan for you!
The route will mostly be on country roads through some very beautiful scenery. Occasionally we'll be on paved bike trails, but mostly we'll be on low-traffic roads or wide shoulders. We'll never ride on the freeway. Check out more detailed route info here.
We are capping registration at 55 riders. Sign up as soon as possible to secure your spot!
We do not have additional vehicle space for non-riders and lodging/food will not be available for them. However, the specifics of the route and rest stops will be made available to riders and we encourage any loved ones to show up to cheer them on! Additionally, we use volunteers for vehicle support, bike maintenance, and rest stops.
If someone you know is interested in volunteering, a description of the commitment can be found here.
The team will stay in a variety of pre-arranged places, and we expect to have access to showers every night. All boarding arrangements will be indoors and may include churches, home-stays, and shared motel rooms. Accommodations are humble, but are included in the registration fee for the ride. Riders should be prepared to sleep on the floor.
All snacks and meals are included and will be prepared by volunteers at rest stops and overnight locations. We'll ensure that each meal is healthy, calorie-rich, and electrolyte-boosting so we're all performing our best! Please let us know when you register if you have any dietary restrictions.
Weather, pace, mileage, construction, and other conditions affect our days, so we approach every day with flexibility. An early start helps us beat the heat. Cyclists are discouraged from riding alone and must check in at every snack stop--this is especially important on the days when we lose cell service! Snack stops are spread out about every 20 miles and support crew patrol the route to make sure everyone's having fun, keeping up, and staying safe. Evenings allow time for cyclists to rest, socialize, and check in with the mechanic as necessary.
Some of the most memorable moments from the ride happen during our down-time in the evenings as we stretch and eat and relive our day on the road together. Each evening and morning there will be important announcements about the following day, as well as some learning and reflection opportunities to better connect with the themes of refuge and community. If you choose to find alternative lodging on any night, you will be responsible for your own transportation, for making the STK coordinator aware of your plans, for checking in about any important announcements, and for being back on-site at go-time in the morning.
The ride starts in Seattle (Kent) and ends in Spokane and cyclists are responsible for transporting themselves and their gear to and from the starting and finish lines. Because historically the bulk of our riders are from the Seattle and Spokane areas, we provide transportation for riders, bikes, and gear from Spokane to Seattle (Kent) on Tuesday, June 16 for Spokane-based cyclists and on Sunday, June 21st for Seattle-based cyclists.
Riders need to bring their own helmet, a well-maintained road bike equipped with lights, a spare tube or two, and water bottles. Most roadside maintenance equipment and tools will be provided as needed, but you are welcome and encouraged to bring your own basic repair items if you have them. If you anticipate needing very specific parts or if your bike has unusual features or needs, please pack accordingly. Support vehicles will carry rider luggage and food. A sample packing list can be found here.
Registration covers all the expenses of the ride including meals and snacks, lodging, support vehicles, roadside bike maintenance/repair, transportation back to Seattle (Kent), an STK jersey, and a contribution to a scholarship for refugee riders. You can start fundraising as soon as the registration deposit is received by World Relief. Your registration fee is non-refundable and not tax-deductible.
We hope you will be excited to share this journey with your friends and family. By participating, the funds you raise will support refugees and asylees through housing, transportation, English language classes, job skills training, interview and resume preparation, and much more! Once we have your registration information and deposit, we'll send you materials that will be helpful as you ask people to partner with you in this adventure. Donations will be a one-time amount and not per-mile. Keep in mind that some employers match gifts, so encourage your friends and family to check with their HR department to multiply their impact!
Each cyclist will have a personalized fundraising profile, which will be accessible as soon as registration is complete. Donors can select their friend's name from a list on the give page or click to give straight from the cyclist profile.
We're going to take care of our bodies and bikes as best we can, but if you are unforeseeably unable to finish the ride--in whole or in part--you will be welcome to ride along in the support vehicle. The registration fee and funds raised will not be refunded.
SEA TRI KAN is a state-wide fundraising event and is made possible by the efforts of staff and volunteers at each of the 3 Washington offices. In the interest of frugality and efficiency, the SEA TRI KAN website, fundraising platform, and logistical oversight are hosted by the Seattle office, but funds raised benefit refugees and asylees in each of the 3 regions in Washington.