FAQs and Ride Support

Here are some common FAQs and a bit more about our ride support services. Safety is our top priority. That’s why we employ one of the finest SAG teams in Virginia. We’re also served by the mobile repair shop of CyclesEd and our hometown bike shop, Black Dog Bikes.

Got Questions?

Nope. Sorry. A majority of the per rider costs (insurance, printing, T-shirt, meals, etc.) are applicable to either or both days. Plus, the myriad charitable groups who share in the proceeds from our Festival appreciate every dollar we can donate to them.

Yes! As this is not a “race” but rather a festival, we welcome all types of bicycle vehicles including road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, tandem bikes, recumbent bikes, e-bikes, bikes with child seats, bikes with child tow trailers, etc.  We do not provide charging stations at rest stops, though you may find some outdoor outlets in a city park rest stop or those located at churches — BUT there is no guarantee of any access to power for an e-bike recharge. If you are camping at St. Paul’s you will be able to find some power for recharging e-Bikes. Simply ask the Boy Scouts or the on-site church representatives.

We offer Volunteer discounts to local riders who sign up for a job working at the festival. These are typically 2- to 4-hour shifts helping with various logistics tasks on Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday (October 17-20). Links to the SignupGenius list of jobs is found on our new ticketing portal. Signup for the Volunteer job first and then you’ll be sent an immediate confirmation email that provides a direct link to reveal the Festival Volunteer ticket priced at $40.

There are a number of area bike shops within a 30-mile radius of Staunton, Virginia which you can contact to discuss possible rentals. We have not confirmed that all the shops on this list rent, so you will need to check on your own.  

We’re proud to donate 90% of our after-cost profits back into the community with targeted donations and charitable gifts. Our recipients are not always the same from year to year as our donations committee works to ensure we can help as local needs are presented. Since 2016, we’ve donated over $43,000 to groups that include youth bicycle teams and bike clubs, Boys and Girls Clubs, the YMCA and local teen centers, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, educational scholarships administered by the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge, local food pantries, Valley Mission and Salvation Army emergency assistance and homeless shelters and many others.

Our after-ride meal Saturday and Brunch on Sunday are prepared by talented volunteers of local Ruritan Clubs. They do their best to ensure there are some food choices for vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free riders. If you have specific allergies or dietary concerns, please send us an email and we’ll let you know what’s possible.

For riders 17 and under: $40 Family-friendly Price for Minors (children aged 6–17 years with a full-paid adult). Riders under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult. If not parent/guardian, it is advisable to have informed consent for medical treatment. All paid minor riders receive same benefits as listed for full-price adults. Sorry, there is no “both spouses are riding” discount for this festival.

Children 5 and Under are Free (No T-shirt; but yes on meals and snacks). All children — whether riding on their own bike or in a bike seat or tow-behind trailer — must wear bicycle helmets.

Spouses who are non-riders but wish to share in the Festival meals (and get a T-shirt)  can register for $40. NOTE: This is not required. Many spouses come to town and sightsee or hike on their own and have no interest in attending the Bike Festival. That’s fine and we don’t require them to pay.

With an event as large as this, managing registration tickets is a complex affair. We’re excited to be partnered with TicketSignup to provide the robust services needed to get the details correct. We set our Fall Foliage ticket prices to cover our expenses as a non-profit ride (food, T-shirts, Event Guides, insurance, rest stop group donations, etc.). Adding the TicketSignup fee on top of our costs is the fairest and most transparent method to show where the money goes. Thanks for your understanding and support!

Yes. Click here to download the 2024 Mail-in Order form.  Printout and complete the form (1 form per person in your family group) and mail it with your cash, check or money order payment to the address on the form. For ease of tracking and check-in at Festival Registration, we will transfer your mail-in registration(s) into our TicketSignup database and you will receive an email with check-in instructions a few days before the festival. Riders registering at the door may pay by cash or check in person at the “Last Call” rate.

CANCELLATION POLICY: All cancellation requests emailed by September 30 will be refunded minus a $25 processing fee. SORRY: No refunds for any reason after September 30, including personal or family medical issues. For the 2024 ride, there will be no “carry overs” to future rides unless national or state health emergencies require the cancellation of the event. Please contact us through your TicketSignup booking regarding cancellations with refunds. HURRICANE HELENE: Riders who have been impacted by Hurricane Helence can request a one-year deferment on tickets purchased for 2024. Please contact us for details.

Bike Festival Event Guide

BIKE REPAIR

For on-site repairs, Cycles Ed will be available at St. Paul’s Church on Saturday morning (pre-ride), then he‘ll move to a remote location for mid-day and back to St. Paul’s mid-afternoon. On Sunday, find Ed at Middlebrook (brunch location). Ed‘s now retired from custom bike building and regular repair work and we’re extremely fortunate that Fall Foliage is one of only two festival rides that he continues to serve with on-site repair services!

Cycles Ed mobile bike repair

BIKE SHOP

Staunton’s own Black Dog Bike Shop has a NEW LOCATION in downtown Staunton (608 North Augusta St, Staunton, VA 24401, US). James Burriss and his team will be open throughout registration on Friday and offering special discounts to our festival participants throughout the entire weekend. Black Dog Bikes can also handle repairs, or sell you a new bike, too! Visit the Black Dog Bikes website for more information.

Black Dog Bikes, Staunton VA

SAG SUPPORT

SAG is furnished by the Valley Amateur Radio Club. We appreciate their fine support of our rides from year to year!

SAG support for Fall Foliage Bike festival

FALL FOLIAGE BIKE FESTIVAL

REGISTRATION

REGISTER MAY 2025