Frequently Asked Questions

Fundraising

Do I have to join a team? Does it change my fundraising minimum if I join a team?

No, but teams have a lot of fun and often collaborate on training rides, fundraising events, and helping new riders with logistics. Ask us for referrals if you are interested in joining a team.

Are there resources provided by the organization to assist participants toward the fundraising goals?

Once you register, you’ll receive a personal fundraising website link to include in your emails, letters, and social media posts. We are also fundraising experts who can help design a customized plan to reach the minimum fundraising goal. We have helped many who were nervous about reaching the minimum surpass it, so don’t be intimidated. It’s very attainable. Check out all of our tools to help you in your fundraising - or reach out to us! kaila@neversurrenderinc.org

What are the Fundraising Minimums and Fees? 

All returning cycling participants register by paying a $200 registration fee and agree to raise funds or self-fund the $1,200 fundraising minimum. New participants mush also pay a $200 registration fee and agrees to raise or self-fund the $1,000 fundraising minimum. Review fundraising minimums, support, and key dates. Once registered, participants reserve their spot on the tour, gain access to resources and the ability to personalize their fundraising page.

If I do not reach the fundraising benchmarks by the deadlines, am I disqualified from participating?

No, we just ask you to guarantee the difference on a credit card and you’ll have until November 1 to continue fundraising to your goal. Some riders do the bulk of their fundraising during and after the ride when they can post photos to social media and include a recap of the journey in post-ride emails and letters.

Participants must reach a minimum fundraising goal ($1,200 for returning participants and $1,000 for first-time riders). If you are unable to raise the minimum, you are committed to donate the difference. 

If you are unable to join the in-person tour, please opt-out by emailing kaila@neversurrenderinc.org as soon as you know. 

What are the details to send funds via check, donor-advised fund, or a matching gift? 

Please refer to our Fundraising page.

Training & Routes

Absolutely! The Tomassoni Tour - Cycle for ALS is a fully supported ride open to novice to expert cyclists. If a rider is not feeling up to completing part of the ride, our support is always at the ready to give a lift in our comfortable air-conditioned vehicles.

Where can I find the daily routes for the tour?

Routes now available!

On-Tour

In just our third year, the Tomassoni Tour is capped at 100 riders as we ride through quaint towns and and quiet, scenic trails through prairie and woods in northern Minnesota. 

Is there a minimum age requirement to participate?

Yes, participants must be 21 years or older to join the tour as a rider or volunteer per our insurance policies. 

Can I bring my dog?

We love dogs, but our venues are not dog friendly and some participants prefer a pet-free environment. We advise participants to kindly leave pets at home for compliance with our permits and the safety and comfort of all participants.

Can my family/friends join me on the tour?  

We love for others to join the party, but please let us know if you are planning to bring a guest along so we can prepare for extra hotel rooms and meals. Tour guests will be asked to purchase a meal ticket for each meal they join to help offset our costs and ensure our catering teams make enough food for hungry riders. You can also review volunteer opportunities.

Is there a mass start time for each day? A cutoff time for completion each day?

The Tomassoni Tour - Cycle for ALS is a tour, not a race. There is no official mass start. We will transport riders, via bus. to the start area each day and open the course for departure at teh designated time. Most riders will head out shortly after the course opens and go at their own pace toward the rest stop and finish. We do not have an official cutoff time for complettion each day, but if anyone falls far behind due to a later start, and extra-leisurely pace, and / or a long rest stop or two, our team can bump them up to the next rest stop of finish, but most will arrive at the finish between 11:00 am - 2:00 pm.

What do we eat? Are meals included? 

The food provided on tour is healthy, delicious, plentiful, and included in your rider package. Our incredible sponsors and volunteers serve breakfast and lunch each day before and during your ride. We have dinner as a group - allowing us to share experiences from the trail. If you have any allergies, we ask you to share those during the registration process.

Rest stops are placed every 10 - 15 miles and offer hydration, and lots of other snacks or refreshments to fuel your ride. We also host a social hour each night featuring snacks and beverages.

What is included in the Rider Package? 

Please refer to our Event Information page.

I’m not registered, but can I just join in for one leg of the tour? 

Tomassoni Tour organizers strongly discourage bandit riding, even for those who are part of the Mesabi Trail community, friends of registered riders or those who do not plan to use support, aid stations or other tour resources. Although it is probably not their intent, unofficial riders could adversely impact the event in a variety of ways.

Despite being a 501(c)(3) charity, Never Surrender Inc is required to secure a multitude of permits from the verious municipalities or jurisdictions we travel through on the Tomssoni Tour route. There are mandates to procure insurance, collect waivers, and put in traffic controls. All these requirement pose a cost to the Tour. *Some entities even calculate permit fees on a per rider basis. 

Complaints about cyclists along the route may be directed towards the organizers whether or not the cyclists in question are officially part of the ride. If an unregistered rider has an issue on route, it could affect the event.

Official participants put forth considerable effort and personal expense to take part in the Tomassoni Tour including training, fundraising/self-funding and getting themselves and their gear to and from the ride. They may react negatively to cyclists who would join in without registering and doing what is expected of all participants.

Cyclists are advised to register as official participants if they wish to ride in the Tomassoni Tour. Volunteering is a great alternative for those who want to be involved with us and support Never Surrender Inc's mission.

*Note that because of our corporate partners whose generous contributions cover most of the operational costs of the ride, the funds that the riders raise go directly to our mission to help patients and their families.

Lodging

If you are interested in a volunteer position, please let us know. These positions are varied, so we'll do our best to pair you with a task that helps you be successful. Volunteering is a perfect way to spend time outdoors (and indoors!) and make a difference.