Everything you need to prepare for the Watershed Ride—training tips, fundraising tools, and ways to connect with fellow Riders.
Logistics
plan your ride day
Advanced Number Pickup
While not required, picking up your bike tag, number, and wristband ahead of time will speed up your check-in process on Ride day. See you soon!
Dates and Locations
Wednesday, September 30, 4-7pm at Stone Path Malt
11 Kendrick Rd, Wareham, MA 02571
Thursday, October 1, 4-7pm at Wheeler Reserve
359 Woods Hole Rd, Woods Hole, MA 02540
Saturday, October 3, 9am-12pm at BBC New Bedford Headquarters
114 Front St, New Bedford, MA 02740
Fundraising Support
Participant Center Tutorials
Video Tutorial: Finding & Sharing Your Fundraising Page
In this YouTube video, we walk you through how to find your custom fundraising URL to share with your potential donors.
Video Tutorial: Fundraising Page Goal Adjustment
Learn how to edit your fundraising goal in less than a minute! This quick tutorial will walk you through how to edit your fundraising goal step by step.
Video Tutorial: Participant Center Customization Guide
In this YouTube video, we walk you through how to customize your personal fundraising page. This video was created for the Buzzards Bay Swim, but the same steps apply for the Ride!
Email Templates
Thank you for your dedication to supporting the Coalition through your fundraising efforts. To assist you in reaching out to potential donors, we’ve prepared a set of email templates that you are welcome to use.
Fundraising Email
The most effective way to reach potential donors and supporters is through one-on-one emails.
Personal emails are more likely to be seen, opened, and read, and they give you the chance to share why you are doing the Watershed Ride this year. Sending a direct message helps ensure your friends, family, and colleagues actually receive your request and understand the impact of their support. Using the email templates below makes it easy to invite others to be part of your swim and your fundraising goal.
Fundraising Support Email Template
Donor Thank You Email
Sending a thank-you email within 24–48 hours of receiving a donation makes the biggest impact. A prompt, personal message helps donors feel appreciated and reinforces how important their support is to you and to the Buzzards Bay Swim.
Donor Thank You Email Template
Gifts & Recognition
Fundraising Awards
The top three individual fundraisers receive a fundraising award, and so does the top fundraising team. NEW AWARD THIS YEAR: we have an award for the team who brings in the top fundraising per person. Basically, we take the team's fundraising total and divide it by the number of team members. Note: although you can still keep fundraising for two weeks after the Ride, for the purposes of the award ceremony, we calculate these fundraising awards at noon the day before the Ride (on Saturday, October 3).
Fundraising Gifts
Every registered Riders receive a custom Tee, designed by Art Director Hannah Haines.
Sport Your Impact on the Bay. In honor of the 20th Watershed Ride, we are celebrating of all the miles put in, funds raised, work completed, and bananas eaten over the last two decades -- all on your 2026 Watershed Ride T-Shirts!
We love when you refer other Riders to this great community event! If you refer someone to the Ride, just make sure they put your name down in the "How did you hear about us?" box.
Riders who raise $2,000+ receive this Coalition branded, fleece-lined beanie, perfect for colder weather ahead along with this iconic Ride hoodie.
Riders who raise $5,000+ receive the Coalition branded, fleece-lined beanie, the iconic Ride hoodie and jersey + become part of the Sou'Westers Club, reserved for our top-fundraiser crew and named for Buzzards Bay's prevailing Southwest wind!
Training & Local Resources
free coastal training Rides
We offer ongoing FREE coastal rides to help you train for the Ride. See our Bay Adventures calendar to see what rides we have coming up and to sign up!
Socialize with Other riders
Watershed Riders Facebook Group
Your Guide to Ride Weekend
The Watershed Ride takes place during one of the best times of the year on Cape Cod and the South Coast! We have a guide for places to go, things to do and places to stay (discounts included!)
