Gear Up New York 2026 Team

Orientation offers a chance for team members to get acquainted, learn about people with disabilities and participate in skills assessments, training rides and safety training to prepare them for the life-changing events ahead.

Family and friends are welcomed and encouraged to attend the kickoff; however, it is important that any family or friends planning on coming to Buffalo understand that orientation is for the team to prepare as a group for their time on the road. Time with family during this time will be very limited. Most family and friends take this time to see some of the different sites around the area. In fact, some team members and their families arrive early to sight-see.

If you have any questions about the kickoff events in Buffalo, contact us.

Cyclist Travel Information

Arrival
Cyclists must arrive at Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) for the team orientation no later than 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 30. Anyone driving or arriving prior to July 31 can report directly to the team hotel by 3 p.m. Once your flight is booked, all cyclists must complete this Travel Confirmation Form.

Departure
Team members departing from New York City on Sunday should book flights after 6 p.m. Hotel rooms will be provided Sunday night for team members wishing to travel home on Monday.

Crew Travel Information

Crew Arrival and Training
Crew training will be held July 29-31 in western New York.

Crew Departure
Crew will be dismissed from New York City after a debrief. Flights can be booked leaving New York City after 3 p.m. on Monday, August 10.

Getting Your Bike To Orientation

All cyclists should bring their bikes on the plane with them as a checked bag. Check with airlines when booking your flight to confirm fees, but most major airlines charge a standard checked bag fee for bike boxes.

Your bike should be packed in a cardboard bike box. Any team members using a hard-case bike box will be required to ship it home. Contact your local bike shop for help packing your bike. They should be able to provide you with a box for free or pack it for a small cost. Click here to watch a video of how to pack a cardboard bike box yourself. Write your name on the outside of the box to be able to identify it at orientation.

Gear Up New York Kickoff Dinner Dinner

The Ability Experience will host the 2025 Gear Up New York kickoff dinner on Saturday, August 1. The Ability Experience will cover dinner for team members; all guests will be required to register in advance.

Gear Up New York Kickoff

The 2025 Gear Up New York team will depart for their first day of cycling on Sunday, August 2. The team will be departing at 7:30 a.m. Please arrive at 7 a.m. to allow plenty of time for photos prior to the team’s circle-up and departure. No registration is necessary for the send-off.

Hotel Accommodations

Family and friends are responsible for booking their own accommodations while in Buffalo. The Ability Experience will provide team member accommodations.

Sights to See

Buffalo is a wonderful place full of history and things to do. Remember, if you want to explore these sights with your team members, it must be done before Orientation; there will not be time during Orientation. Below are some local attractions in Buffalo and surrounding areas:

• Niagara Falls
• The Buffalo Zoo
• Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
• Museums
• Buffalo Bisons Minor League Baseball