Share your spin-a-thon event ideas and plans

At our event in Palatine, Illinois we set-up 20+ spin bikes in the main atrium of the local YMCA where members enter and leave the building. This way all who enter the YMCA have to pass 20+ cyclists, surrounded by ballons, loud music and lots of positive energy. Most become absorbed by the energy and stop by our table to see "whats going on". We then provide them with "What is ALS" and "What is the Blazeman Foundation" flyers, and explain why we are doing what we are doing. Many stop and watch the Ironman video of Jon Blais's 2005 Ironman triumph - all leave inspired. We also have a large colorful donation box where passerbys can place donations as they enter and leave the builing. To encourage donations we place large posters in front of the bikes that say "Please Donate To Keep us Riding". Oh yeah, then we all go out to a local brewery to cap off the day with a nice dinner and frosty beverage.

What are you planning?

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Permalink Reply by mike on January 30, 2009 at 9:00pm: Any ideas on other video to show during the event? I have a great 30 minute video (dvd quality) that shows Jon's 2005 highlights and Brian Breen's 2006 highlights. A bunch of tunes to keep us going. any other ideas?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ashby Ray on February 3, 2009 at 12:20pm: I'm showing a couple of documentaries. One on the Tour de France called Hell on Wheels, that I got from Net Flix and another called Spirit of Marathon. I'm also bringing some vintage footage from the COORS CLASSIC. I've also asked participants to bring their favorite movies or dvds, as long as they are pg.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ashby Ray on February 3, 2009 at 12:24pm: We are doing the event for the entire 16.5 hours. Most will be relay teams, and one sick individual is riding his bike the entire time. We'll be in Try Sports, a local triathlon store in a big shopping mall. They're opening at 5am for us to get started at 5:30 and we'll ride until 10:00 pm. We'll have the video playing, along with music and a table with a large collection box and volunteers to hand out flyers and explain the event.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mike the Veloist on February 3, 2009 at 2:17pm: Ashby that sounds like a great event make sure you take lots of pictures and video if you can. We'd love to be able to use it as we promote the event. Good luck on Saturday.; ▶ Reply to This