BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Ride for Roswell has donated $50 million since 1996, and in their 24th year, we're giving riders and those living around the ride everything they need to know.
THE RIDE
There are ten different rides ranging from three miles to 100 miles.
All of the rides begin at UB North, except the 26 and 44 mile races which go into Canada. Those begin at Roswell Park in Downtown Buffalo.
Race takeoff begins starting at 6:15am, with waves going until 11:30am. Riders will have been notified which starting group they are in, but for more information, visit the Ride website here.
7,869 riders have signed up for the 2019 ride as of Friday, with $4,757,495.28 raised. If you still want to donate, visit the donation page here.
TRAFFIC AND PARKING
The ride goes through Buffalo, Amherst, Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda , City of Tonawanda, Town of Tonawanda, Clarence, Akron, Newstead, Genessee County, and Canada. The Ride for Roswell is using multiple local police and fire departments to help with traffic.
Each ride has a different "track", which will close streets all over WNY. Car traffic will be moved during the race to prevent standstills. For maps of the ten races, find them here.
Parking can be found at UB North, and Roswell Park at the 589 Ellicott Street lot. To accommodate parking, Carlton, Elm & Oak streets will be closed to car traffic. The hospital parking ramp is reserved for patients. DO NOT drop off or unload at the main hospital entrance or parking ramp.
SHUTTLES AND TAXIS
Bus shuttles are scheduled from UB to Roswell Park every 30 minutes from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. They will transport riders from the Lee Loop to the 589 Ellicott St. Lot. The 26-mile Canada route ends at the Niagara Falls Intake Park. Riders will be shuttled from here to UB North, and have the option of putting their bike on a truck that will go to either UB or Roswell Park (wherever the rider chooses).
The 44-mile Canada route ends at UB North. Riders can put their bikes on a truck (located at the Lee Loop at UB North) to send them to Roswell Park.
Golf cart taxis will be available on Friday (9 a.m. – 9 p.m.) and Saturday (5:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.). Look for yellow and black checkered flags throughout campus — these are pick up locations. Wait at a pick up location and a taxi will be by soon.
SAFETY
AAA of WNY is offering free bike repairs for riders who have issues throughout the race.
Riders are encouraged to drink plenty of water, and to make stops at the tents along the race where they will have food and water available. It is also suggested that riders bring sunblock along on the ride. The weather is anticipated to be fairly sunny, and sunburn can happen quickly.
