FIREFLIESWEST 2026
RIDER APPLICATION

23rd september - 28th september
6 DAYS 600+ MILES and +30,000’ Feet
SAN FRANCISCO to LOS ANGELES

Director Sportif – Emily Alvarez

Ride Producers – Lalita Koehler, David Lincoln

Sponsorships - Ali Brown

The Tour is supported BY riders FOR riders. Each of these people has been on multiple tours in multiple countries for multiple years.

Creative Director – Dan Howell
Kit Producer – Fiona Forsyth
Route Producer – Adrian Hernandez

If you are committed to riding with the Fireflies for an exciting 18th year, please fill in the form below:

How do we choose Riders?

We aim to bring together a group of riders who are passionate about helping cure cancer and excited to be part of something bigger than themselves. Each year’s team is thoughtfully assembled to reflect a mix of backgrounds, perspectives, and personalities that will ride well together as one.

At the end of the day, we’re building a group that shows up for the cause—and for each other.

  • We aim for roughly a 50/50 balance of returning riders and first-timers. Our veterans bring experience, leadership, and a steady presence across long days in the saddle.

    Our new riders bring fresh energy, new perspectives, and just enough unpredictability to keep things interesting. The combination is what makes the group work—and what keeps the Fireflies spirit evolving year after year.

  • The Fireflies is a global family. Each year, we welcome a small number of international riders—many from the UK and Europe—as part of a long-standing exchange between Fireflies tours.

    In recent years, that circle has grown to include riders from South America and beyond. It’s a reminder that this ride extends far beyond the California coast—it’s a shared mission that connects people across borders.

  • We typically have 10–15 women riding each year, but we’d love to see that number grow. Our goal is a more balanced and representative group, and we know there are many incredible women out there who would thrive on this ride.

    If that’s you—or someone you know—we strongly encourage you to apply. You’ll be welcomed into a supportive, inclusive team that rides together every mile of the way.

 
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2026 ROUTE PREVIEW

Returning to the roots of the FFW Tour is both a celebration and a reminder of the challenge ahead. This ride will ask something of each of us—but we take it on together.

This year’s route brings us back to the original Fireflies West experience: equal parts beautiful and demanding. We’ll ride some of California’s most iconic coastline, with stops in Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Solvang, and maybe a surprise or two along the way!

Over 600 miles in 6 days is no small feat—but it’s absolutely within reach. With the right preparation, a commitment to training, and a team-first mindset, this is a challenge that becomes not only manageable—but deeply rewarding.

Because that’s the point: no one does this alone.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with the Fireflies.

TIMING details:

9/22/26 - Fly into San Francisco, CA. (before noon is advised)

We need all riders to be available for a 3pm check-in for a safety/security briefing and dinner to follow.

9/23/26 - Depart San Francisco, CA

9/28/26 - Arrive Los Angeles, CA

9/29/26 - Fly out of Los Angeles, CA (for those who don’t live in SoCal)

If you are one of the lucky few to be chosen for a saddle, you will be committing to:

  • Raising at least $4,000 for City of Hope cancer research

  • Paying the $2,500 rider fee**, which covers lodging, a jersey, most shared meals, and tour support costs.

  • Devoting the required amount of time from now until the tour to train and to learn proper etiquette, especially how to ride in a group.

  • Showing up with the right attitude and respecting the tour volunteers and tour veterans whom you’ll meet and ride with over the next 6 months.

* We have a small number of grants available for riders who are selected for saddles but need help paying the fee.

** Rider fee is non-refundable. Some meals will be out-of-pocket.

 
 
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'YES DS'

THE CORRECT ANSWER TO ANY QUESTION.

A pack of cyclists is a highly ordered society. You only have to look at a peleton in the Tour de France to be astounded by how close they race and how few crashes there are. There are many unwritten rules and codes of conduct to maintain this society and uphold the multi tiered etiquette which a rider ignores at his or her peril.

A Director Sportif in a race is the Race Director and will be engaged in that event from beginning to end making all key decisions on teams, route, traffic, escorts and press.

In non race conditions - The Fireflies appoint a Director Sportif every year to keep order, direct the support team, make crucial decisions during the day, and cut through the noise of 50-60 alpha riders all of whom have strong opinions. 

Day to day this is important for good progress:- daily briefings on the route, the potential hazards in the weather,  the road and traffic conditions and looking out for one another and the slower riders. The DS role becomes crucial should there be any serious issues:closed roads, extreme temperatures or weather conditions when it might be necessary to re-route or pull all the riders off the road. Worse still - an accident or injury when swift decisions and a single voice of leadership can make all the difference.

It’s a great honor to serve as the Director Sportif.

Candidates not only have to be accomplished and respected riders, but they also need to have good leadership and and decision making skills plus a good level of diplomacy given the unruly group they will be asked the lead down a stretch of the west coast, across highways and byways over 600 miles and seven days.

DS Role of Honor

2025: RANI MELENDEZ

2024: WILL CHANG

2023: LALI KOEHLER

2022: ALLISON AMON

2021: LUKE RICCI

2020: TOUR SUSPENDED

2019: MICHAEL RAIMONDI

2018: BRUCE HOROWITZ 

2017: ALASTAIR GREEN

2016: RICK LAWLEY

2015: TARA DEMARCO

2014: ERIC TRAGESER

2013: ERIK PRESS

2012: BEN HAMPSHIRE

2011: BRYAN FARHY

2010: BRYAN FARHY

2009: BRYAN FARHY

2008: UNASSIGNED - There were only 5 riders.

 

 
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Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Tour.

I first joined the Fireflies in 2015, and since then I’ve had the chance to be part of the Tour as a rider, support crew, and production team. Somewhere along the way, it stopped being “a bike ride” and became something much more—something I now get to help lead as this year’s DS.

At its core, this Tour is about people. It’s about showing up for a cause that touches all of us, and finding strength, connection, and even a bit of joy in the group around you.

This is a real challenge—but it’s an accessible one if you’re willing to put in the work….

  • Respect the challenge ahead

  • Commit to training

  • Learn how to ride safely as a group

  • Bring a good attitude (a sense of humor helps on the climbs)

You don’t need to be the strongest rider—but you do need to be someone who shows up for others. That’s what defines this team.

If selected, your main goal will be to raise funds for cancer research at City of Hope and ride for someone who inspires you. We all carry a reason with us on this Tour.

We ride together. We finish together. And along the way you might surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.

If this sounds like something you want to be part of, I encourage you to apply. And if you have questions, I’m always happy to connect.

Hope to ride with you soon.

Emily Alvarez

Director Sportif  

2026 Fireflies West XVIII

 
 
 
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