 Many Trekkers choose to ride the ETBT as a part of a team. To be considered an official Trek team, there must be at least 5 registered Trekkers. Teams are made up of fellow employees, friends, and family, many being a combination of each. Each team member must fulfill the Trekker requirements, paying the registration fee and raising the minimum donation of $450.
Why form a team?
- Teams offer fellow employees a chance to bond away from computers, desks, telephones and titles—everyone is equal
- Teams build camaraderie
- Teams offer a chance for family and friends to spend quality time together away from the hubbub of daily life
- Network with other companies
- Interdivision challenge
- Chance for a “friendly challenge” with a rival company
- Support a good cause!
If you would like to join a team or create a new team, simply indicate it on your registration form when you sign up. If you are already registered and would like to join a team, call (916) 444-5900 ext. 209 and we'll find the right team for you.
As a team captain, you will not only have a personal online ETBT page, but a team ETBT page as well. There you will be able to see the progress of your entire team’s fundraising. Your team members will also automatically show up in your online address book.
 Become a Team Captain!
Team Captains play a very important role in the success of the Trek. The information below will hopefully answer any questions you may have about both the responsibilities and the benefits of being a Team Captain.
What is expected of me as a Team Captain?
Here are some of the things Team Captains are asked to do:
1. Recruit team members:
- Advertise at your office or in your community that you are forming a team for the ETBT.
- Display Trek brochures, post announcements on bulletin boards, place an article in your company newsletter, and send out a company wide email (if permitted).
- Hold a brown bag meeting for people who are interested in learning more.
- Invite people to join your team on one of the Breathe California training rides.
2. Establish Team Goals:
Meet with your team members to set goals for your team…total dollars to raise, number of team members, which of the eleven team trophies you want to go after (see Team Challenge information below). This is a fun competition among teams and the winners will be announced on the Trek during the awards ceremony.
3. Act as the team liaison with Breathe California:
Team Captains are encouraged to be in regular contact with Trek staff at Breathe California. We want to know how your team is doing and give you whatever support you need to make your efforts as Team Captain successful and rewarding. Remember… we are here to help you!
4. Be in regular contact with your team members and answer any questions they might have:
Even though Breathe California will share Trek information on a regular basis with all Trekkers, we ask the Team Captains to reiterate/distribute important information to your team members to make sure they are well informed and up to date on the Trek.
5. Help coordinate team rides and fundraising activities:
Team rides:
Schedule training rides for your team in addition to the 2 organized training rides offered by Breathe California, which are scheduled for June 6th and August 22nd. This will help beginner riders become more comfortable riding on the road. It is also important to encourage your team members to train for the Trek. Your team members will thank you. Being trained and fit for the Trek will make all the difference between enjoying the Trek and enduring the Trek.
Team Fundraising:
One of the most common challenges in recruiting Trekkers to ride the Trek is fundraising. Many people are uncomfortable asking other people for pledges to support the event (even though once they do ask, they are surprised at how easy it is and how generous people are when supporting a good cause). To help your team in their fundraising efforts, many teams hold team fundraising activities such as bake sales, garage sales and car washes. Proceeds are then divided up between participating team members. Check out our Fundraising Page for fundraising ideas.
Encourage the use of Breathe California’s online services for Trek registration and fundraising. Assist your team members in setting up their personal pages for fundraising. Be the first to sign up for your team. Note…the Team Captain must be registered to create the team. Once the team is created, your team members can register online and request to join your team.
6. Help coordinate a team t-shirt/jersey:
Teams are not required to have team shirts but it adds to the team camaraderie and gives recognition to company support. Teams design their own shirts and enter them in the Team Jersey/T-shirt competition. Team shirts are displayed in camp and Team Captains do the judging. The winners of the Team T-Shirt and Team Jersey contests are announced at the dance on Saturday night. See the Team T-shirt and Jersey Contest information below.
7. Help organize carpooling to/from the event:
Since parking is limited at the Trek (and because this event supports clean air programs), Trekkers are asked to carpool. Please encourage your team members to carpool.
What support/benefits do I receive as a Team Captain?
Breathe California truly appreciates your efforts as a Team Captain and is here to support you in every way possible:
Team Captain Breakfasts - To help support you and keep you well informed Team Captains are invited to attend our Team Captain Breakfasts, on April 30th and June 25th. Enjoy a hot, catered breakfast, learn the latest updates on the ETBT, meet other team captains, and share recruitment and fundraising ideas.All breakfasts are held 7:30-9 am at Breathe California (909 12th Street, Sacramento).
Trek Presentations - Trek staff are available to attend team meetings to give a PowerPoint Presentation on the ETBT and answer any questions. Team Captains can request a scripted PowerPoint Presentation (on CD) if they would like to deliver the presentation themselves.
Team Photos - Teams will receive a framed team photo (taken at the Trek start)
Team Captain Recognition - As a thank you Team Captains receive a Team Captain item (i.e. jacket, vest, cap, TBD) to identify them as Team Captains on the Trek.
Team Captain Post-Trek Celebration - Team Captains are invited to a post-Trek dinner where their team pictures and team trophies are presented.
Can I have a Co-captain?
Yes. Please note that co-captains will be officially recognized for teams of 10 or more.
 Team Challenge
The ETBT Team Challenge is a FUN-draising competition among teams who ride the Emigrant Trails Bike Trek. The 11 perpetual trophies are awarded to:
- Largest Team
- Largest New Team
- Team T-shirt contest winner
- Team Jersey contest winner
- Team that raises the most money
- Top Fundraising New Team
- Team with the highest fundraising average (small and large team categories)
- Team with the highest percentage in the Winners Circle (small and large team categories)
- Returning team with the largest percentage growth
All teams receive a framed group photo for display. The ETBT Team Challenge is a great way for corporations, families, or groups of friends to show their support for Breathe California.
 Team T-shirt & Jersey Contest
Teams are encouraged to create t-shirts and/or jerseys for their teams and enter them in a friendly competition held during the Trek. Each team can drop off a sample of their shirt and/or jersey to Trek Central on the first day of the Trek. Shirts and jerseys will be displayed in a central location in camp. Team Captains will then be able to vote for the shirt and jersey of their choice, but cannot vote for their own. The winners will be announced at the dance on Saturday night.
Team T-shirt/Jersey Guidelines
- Entries should be judged on their relevance to the mission of Breathe California and the Emigrant Trails Bike Trek.
- T-shirt/Jersey entries must be turned in to Trek Central by 3:00 pm on Friday, September 10th. Entries may be dropped off to Trek Central. Please pick up your entry from Trek Central after the contest ends.
- Team Captains will be the judges. Their ballots will be in their packets when they register. Voting will take place between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm at Trek Central on Friday, September 10th. If a ballot is lost, it can be replaced at Trek Central.
- Each team captain may vote for only one T-shirt and one Jersey, but cannot vote for their own entries. Ballots will be pre-labeled so as to track who has voted and who has not.
- Winners will be announced at the dance on Saturday night
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