​About Team West

​Team West makes the 230-mile journey from Fairbury, IL to Gateway Woods in Leo, Indiana over three days.  We primarily follow country roads but do get into a few high traffic areas at times.  Because we make the trip in three days Team West is a good option for riders with a slower pace.  Team West encourages family participation and has had several parent and child participants in the past.  Please use a road bike for this ride. West riders tend to break into small groups of riders of about the same pace which can be anywhere from 14mph - 20mph.  You can ride hard in a pace line or slow down and enjoy talking with your teammates as the countryside rolls by.  

The Gateway Woods Ride is not for the "casual rider."  Every rider will need to train and be fit enough to ride at a pace of at least 12 miles per hour.  You will be on your bike for 7 - 10 hours a day (depending on your average speed) for three consecutive days.  The average pace for Team West is around 14-18 miles per hour.  We ask that all riders log, at the very minimum, 400 training miles before the ride.  All riders must be able to ride safely in a group and we ask that each rider try to make it to at least one Team 224 training ride before the trip.  Safety is Team 224's greatest concern.  Helmets are required, no exceptions.  We want everyone to arrive safely at Gateway Woods.  

Registration fees cover the cost of your meals and shirts, and vary per year.  In addition, we ask that each participant raise at least a minimum of $100 for Gateway Woods.  You can make your donation while signing up for the ride, ask friends or family to donate on your behalf or both.  You can also create your own fundraising page which can easily be shared with friends and family via e-mail or social media.  For those who are unable to ride all three days we do let riders join in when they can but the entry fee will remain the same.  During registration you can select the days you will be riding.  Entry fees do not include your cost of lodging during the ride.  During registration we will get your desired hotel rooming information and Team 224 will make all room reservations and hold them on our credit card. If you choose to share a room you and your roommates will be responsible for sharing the cost.  Please do not call the hotels for Wednesday and Thursday night to make your own reservations.   If you plan on staying in the Fort Wayne area on Friday night after the ride you will be responsible for your own lodging, but a group rate will be offered and send to you via email after registration is finalized. 
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All participants are responsible for their own transportation to the start in Fairbury IL and back home from the finish in Leo IN.  Team 224 does not provide transportation and will not make arrangements for you.  Many participants car pool with other riders or rely on friends or family to come get them.  

Team West requires that all athletes under the age of 16 have a parent or legal guardian along on the trip.  They can be on a bike or in a chase car but must be "along for the ride."  (Please contact us prior to signing up anyone under the age of 16.)  All athletes under the age of 18 must have an adult (age 21+) Team 224 mentor assigned to them during the ride, with the mentor's willingness, and they must ride with the mentor.  If our SAG crew or experienced riders have safety concerns with any rider (young or old), after 1 warning, that rider will be asked to ride in a SAG vehicle and help out with SAG for the remainder of the trip.  If you are age 21 or older and interested in becoming a mentor please contact us for more information. 

READ ABOUT TEAM EAST