Riders

Most participants join us for the cycling experience – two days of riding in the Southern Berkshires and the Hudson Valley, ending in Manhattan. All riders have a fundraising requirement ($800 – $1200 depending on your age), and we provide various tools to assist in your solicitation efforts.

We offer multiple routes on Sunday which return to Isabella Freedman. On Monday, riders will be shuttled to various starting points that are 40 or 60 miles from Manhattan.  All routes are fully supported with rest stops, mechanics, and medical support if needed. You must be 12 years old to ride (see our teen safety policy for details).

Register

One-Day Options

Sunday Only: If you cannot ride on Monday, you can still join us for Shabbat and ride on Sunday only. Sunday’s ride is a loop back to Isabella Freedman. You are responsible for your own transportation on Sunday evening. There is a $500 fundraising requirement on top of the Shabbat-only registration.

Monday Only: If you cannot come for Shabbat, you can come for Monday’s ride. The one-day riders will start from the Pawling MetroNorth train station and ride 60 miles into Manhattan. Sign up for only $50 with a $500 fundraising requirement. More details about the start time on Monday will be posted mid-summer.

Register

Crew

The support over the cycling days would not be possible without our volunteer crew. Without ever getting on a bicycle, the Crew has the power to move people. Not just as they are driving the route, but by cheering riders on, carrying someone’s gear bag, preparing and cleaning up rest stops for riders or helping with a flat tire.

All crew members participate fully in the Shabbat retreat. We contact all crew to make sure that your role is the best fit for you. We have various options to join our crew:

• “Avodah (work) Crew” to drive, cheer, mark the route, cheer, set up rest stops, medical support, massage therapists, and yes, to cheer more.
• “Ruach (spirit) Crew,” for crew members with kids ages 5-17. Ruach Crew do more cheering and less work but are still fully part of the Ride, and have an amazing time.
• Families with kids 4 and under are encouraged to register as Shabbat only participants. You are welcome to join us on the road to cheer family members and visit the rest stops or just hang out on your own during the day.

Avodah Crew are our main workers and work long hours. You may be asked to assist with heavy lifting, schlepping (hauling) and sorting luggage, driving on unfamiliar roads, attending crew meetings on the Ride days, working in the sun or inclement weather, standing for extended periods of time, running errands, organizing/preparing food and supplies, rest stop set up/shut down and assisting with emergency situations. It is hard and invaluable work; together we make it fun and safe for everyone.

Avodah crew are divided into various teams, each with their own crew captain. Each team is given detailed instructions for their jobs during the day, along with maps and directions.

Avodah crew arrive at Isabella Freedman on Friday along with with the riders. In August, you will be assigned to a specific crew team and will be contacted by your team captain. There is at least one conference call, before the Ride weekend, just for crew. We also need some help after the ride in cleaning up.

All Avodah Crew applicants are contacted after registering. This ensures that you are the right fit for this crew, which enables us to run a smoother ride and allow you to have a better time. There are 75 positions available. The cost to Hazon for the whole weekend is $500 per participant. In thanks for their indispensable work, we discount registration for Avodah Crew members to $180. We also require a lowered fundraising commitment minimum of $180 for Avodah Crew members.

Van and Truck Drivers
We need drivers for large vans and trucks in advance of, and during, the Ride. We especially need people who can drive the trucks loaded with bikes up to Isabella Freedman on Friday. No special license is needed aside from a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Medical
Persons with medical training including EMTs, nurses, doctors and physical therapists are needed at rest stops and at the end of each day.

Ruach Crew is reserved for parents and children who are coming with a riding family member. Ruach Crew assist our Avodah Crew but have reduced hours and responsibility. Parents are able to focus on their children as their primary responsibility. You will receive a detailed packet with maps and your specific roles at the Ride.

The main tasks are to create signs, cheer riders, help riders navigate difficult intersections, decorate rest stops, entertain the riders at rest stops, and sort/distribute food and supplies. Ruach crew are not be asked to drive a car other than their own. Ruach crew are able to take advantage of activities at Isabella Freedman and are at the final rest stop in time to cheer in the riders as they arrive for the closing ceremony. 30 slots are available. Registration for Ruach crew is $299 for adults and $150 for children.

Learn more about options for families with younger children

Register

Two Parent Plan

For parents with non-riding children, we offer a hybrid cycling/crew option, where parents’ can alternate cycling and child-care duties over the two days of cycling. Both parents should register for this option, and we will contact you to discuss who will ride which day, and which crew duties fit your family best.

Register

Shabbat Only

For those who just want to join the Hazon community but not ride or crew, you can join us at Isabella Freedman for the Shabbat Retreat component of the weekend. You get to participate fully in the programming from Friday afternoon until Saturday night, and can lounge at Freedman on Sunday morning after the riders depart.

The cost for Shabbat only is $275 for adults and $150 for children over 4. You can join us for Sunday night as well for an additional $50 per adult.

Register