Iowa C.O.P.S. Is a 501C(3) registered non-profit

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2012 RAGBRAI Iowa C.O.P.S. Team Ride

Download Iowa C.O.P.S. RAGBRAI Team Application Now

RAGBRAI Sponsorship Application

The Iowa C.O.P.S. Team Ride wishes to recognize and honor the extraordinary contributions of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. This charity ride will raise money and awareness for the Iowa Concerns Of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Iowa Chapter, which supports the surviving family members, loved ones, and colleagues of fallen officers in our state. We hope this ride will become an annual journey for all our riders, especially our survivors.

Each rider must register by March 20, 2012. The money must be raised and presented to Iowa C.O.P.S. by May 1, 2012. Make checks payable to Iowa C.O.P.S. We are a non-profit organization. Iowa C.O.P.S. will designate all money raised on the bicycle ride to be utilized for survivors to travel to Washington, DC and participate in Police Week where Keokuk County Sheriff Sergeant Eric J. Stein and Iowa State Trooper Mark E. Toney will be memorialized at the National Law Enforcement Memorial.

The riders who raise $1000 will be entitled to a complimentary Iowa C.O.P.S. team jersey. Iowa C.O.P.S. will also purchase the Official RAGBRAI registration/ticket. Every C.O.P.S. Team Ride member will need to be a registered rider with RAGBRAI. All Support members will also need to be a registered non-rider with RAGBRAI.

The Ride

Our team will depart for RAGBRAI at a later specified time on Saturday, July 21, 2012 from the Des Moines Metro area. During our ride we hope to be in the presence or homes of survivors. We will respect the privacy of our survivors. Iowa C.O.P.S. will provide a transport vehicle everyday as a support vehicle. This vehicle will also transport your tents, bags, chairs, and minimal equipment from host home to host home. Iowa C.O.P.S. Team Ride members are highly encouraged to wear the team jersey. Each team member is encouraged to have a plate or signage on their bike indicating they are riding in honor of a named fallen officer with their “end of watch” date displayed.

We will ride and work together as a team for the first 15 miles every day. Since we will have approximately 25 riders, we will ride as a pack and as fast as our slowest rider. We will attempt to get a group photo every day at a designated location, hopefully at local police departments along the way (depending on the route). It is acceptable if riders separate from the team.

Due to hills, climbs, and rider performance, the riding group may spread out. We will resume our pack riding at the starting point of each day, as well as the halfway points. For the last half of the daily ride the team may choose to ride as a group or as individuals.

Iowa C.O.P.S. will provide water and beverages throughout the week. Every day the support personnel will have ice, water, fruit and various snacks for breaks during the ride. If you have special drinks/powders or power bars you prefer, please bring them.

Your Bike and Equipment

• Rider safety is the #1 priority.

• All riders must wear a proper fitting helmet. Appropriate riding gear includes padded shorts, padded gloves, and sunglasses/eye protection which will make you more comfortable. It is recommended that you use a road bike.

• Each rider is responsible for the condition and maintenance of his/her own bike. Riders should bring extra tubes for their specific bike tires.

• NO HEADPHONES will be allowed on the road.

• Riders must ride responsibly and carefully and remain sober during the ride.

What to Bring

We anticipate staying with host families in every overnight town. We anticipate that we will have arranged locations to shower. You should bring a sleeping bag, tent, lawn chair, pillow, soap, towel, toiletries, changes of clothes for the week, and extra tire tubes. Mark your luggage so it’s easy to identify and retrieve.

Other Suggestions for Preparation

1. Ride your bike as much as possible to get your legs, rear, and body prepared.

2. Please help raise money for law enforcement survivors in Iowa. There is no limit to the amount of support from which our survivors could benefit.

3. Know your bike: how it shifts, brakes, how to get your water bottles out, change tire tubes, etc.

4. Bring a camera. You will want to remember the people you meet and this experience.

5. If you own a cell phone you are welcome to bring it. Please use it at the appropriate times.

6. Check the weather forecast before leaving. You may even need a rain gear or a sweatshirt.

What You Can Do Now

1. Complete the application, scan, and email to trustee@iowacops.org. Mail the original signed application to Iowa C.O.P.S., PO Box 52, Granger, IA 50109. Applications are due March 20, 2012.
   

2. Once your application is received we will confirm that we have received it. This does not guarantee you a spot on the team. Since we will have 25 riders, we will need to review each application individually. We will consider if you have been on the ride before, if you are a survivor, law enforcement officer, etc. We will contact you if we need additional information. You will be notified if you are selected.
   

3. Iowa C.O.P.S. reserves the right to decline any applicant.

4. Start collecting! You will be responsible for collecting donations and forwarding monies to Iowa C.O.P.S. Remember this money is due no later than May 1st.

For the survivors this ride will be a journey filled with challenges, support, and compassion. The survivors receive great inspiration from fellow riders, supporters, and drivers…people who have left their own families and jobs to help survivors. On behalf of Iowa C.O.P.S., thank you in advance for joining us!

Download Iowa C.O.P.S. RAGBRAI Team Application Now