Conference noted::bicycle

1277.0. "Crew members sought for Ultra-Marathon events" by NAC::KLASMAN () Wed Aug 09 1989 12:26

        WANTED:  Support Crew Members for Ultra-Marathon Cycling Races
        
    Ultra-marathon  Cycling  races,  as  the  name  suggests, are VERY long,
    usually more  than  200  miles.  The difference between these events and
    the local club's  double century or PBP/BMB brevets is that, since these
    are races and not  rides, rider support crews are allowed, and sometimes
    required.    And  absolutely  necessary    if  the  rider  hopes  to  be
    competitive.
    
    My wife and I recently completed  a 24-hr race in Capron Illinois, which
    is near Chicago.  This was a time trial, in which  the  object is to see
    how  many  miles  can be ridden in a fixed amount of time.    The  clock
    started at 9am on Saturday and stopped 9am on Sunday.  The course  was a
    28.8  mile figure 8, passing thru the start/finish line every 14m or so.
    At the  start/finish  were  support services provided by the organizers:
    food, porta-pots, massage(!),  bike  supplies  and  repair service, etc.
    Riders are free to ride  however  they  choose...  the only rule is that
    drafting is not allowed.  You  can  ride  fast  and take many breaks (my
    way...  the hare, so-to-speak) or ride more slowly, with few breaks (the
    tortise).
    
    I rode 323 miles and Lisa,  my wife, (in her first ultra) did 263.  (The
    men's winner did 471m, the women's 371m!)  My  dad  was our only support
    person, and  he was run ragged!  We are entered in another 24-hr race in
    Johnstown NY (near  Albany) on August 19-20, from 12 noon Saturday to 12
    noon Sunday and we  are  looking  for "a few good men/women" to join our
    support crew.
    
    The duties of  the  support crew are basically, to take care of whatever
    comes up, so that  the  riders  can  concentrate  on  riding.   Specific
    duties, listed in order of importance are:
    
        1 - Feeding the rider.   The details of this vary from event to
        event.  This course is a 30 mile loop.  On some passes thru the
        start/finish/support area, we'll need to change water  bottles.
        We  both  carry  1  bottle  of water and  1  bottle  of  energy
        replacement.  This swap needs to be carried out  as  quickly as
        possible...  I like to keep moving (ala feed zones  in the Tour
        de France)...  Lisa will stop.  On other passes, we'll actually
        stop to eat some solid food (will need fresh bottles here too).
        Since we ride  at  different  paces,  we  will  be on different
        schedules, just to keep  you  on your toes.  These details will
        be worked out in advance  (tho  subject to revision as the race
        progresses) so you'll know what's expected.
        
        2 - Feeding the rider.   See  # 1 above.  (Food is so important
        that any other duties are quite minor in comparison.)
        
        3 - Technical support.  If anyone  has  bike  mechanic  skills,
        they  could  be called on if unexpected technical  difficulties
        arise.  In the last 24-hr race, I had  problems  with my lights
        (yes,  we ride thruout the night!) that cost me about  an  hour
        (18 miles or so).  Flat fixing, wheel changes, gearing changes,
        etc are all possibilities.
        
        4 -  Record  keeping.    I like to keep lap splits (both actual
        time and on-the-bike time) and rest splits for later evaluation
        of the ride.
        
        5 - Keeping riders  and/or other crew members awake, motivated,
        etc.
        
        6 - Anything else that  comes up at the last minute.  Murphy is
        always present at these events.
        
    My Dad will be there, and since he's got some experience,  will function
    as crew chief, if there is a crew to lead.  Otherwise, he's it!
    
    We will probably be working from a large tent or two, unless  I can find
    someone from which to borrow a camper trailer (or motorhome) like we did
    in Illinois (thank you Larry, in Chicago!).
    
    Other events in the near future may include:
    
        - RAAM  qualifier in NY (Johnstown NY to Canadian border and return,
        via Lake Placid...    530  miles)  in Sept, 89.  This event requires
        moving support.  (The crew for this is probably set, tho if anyone's
        interested, I'd like to know.)
        
        - Multiple 24-hr races in 1990.  Illinois, Michigan,  Ohio,  NY, New
        England (we may try to run one) etc.
        
        - RAAM qualifiers in Illinois and/or NY in 1990 and 1991.
        
        - Miami, Florida to Portland  Maine  record attempt in 1991 or 1992.
        1800 miles, or so, in  about  6  days.  Requires moving support, and
        from 3 to 6 crew members.
        
        - Race Across AMerica, 1992 or ?  3100 miles  or  so.  Requires 3 to
        10 crew members.  Undetermined at press time.  Depends on  how  well
        these  other event go, and I must qualify for it, which is  no  easy
        task.  Also depends on obtaining  and  training a reliable crew, and
        obtaining sponsorship.
    
    So,  if  you have an interest in finding out what Ultra-Marathon cycling
    is all  about,  or are interested in helping a New England rider qualify
    for and compete in the Race Across AMerica, please respond.
    
    Regards,
    
    Kevin Klasman
    NAC::Klasman
    (603) 886-3861 home
    (508) 486-5457 work 
    dtn 226-5457

    
    Good luck at ROE, Kevin.  Any other DEC-guys going?
    
    -john

< Note 1277.1 by SHALOT::ELLIS "John Lee Ellis - assembly required" >
                         -< anybody else, by the way >-

    
>    Good luck at ROE, Kevin.  Any other DEC-guys going?
    
Thanks (IF I go).  And Ed Fisher, of course, as far as I know.

    
    	Kevin,
    		Good luck.  Wish I could be with you, but my job
    and family take up my prime time.  The rest is used to squeeze 
    in personal mileage goals :-(   But if you ever need encouragement
    or moral support just send mail.  
    						Jerry
    
    BTW - Doe's this mean that I'll be able to tell my grand children
    	  that I knew you when you were just a bikie ..... Go-For-IT

    I'll be there with crew in spite of the rain.
    
    ed
    
    (And it always rains in Upstate NY on the 3rd weekend in September, but
    it can't rain harder than it did on BMB '89.)

    	Kevin and Ed,
    
    	How about some poop on how the weekend went. I would have
    	enjoyed crewing for either of you two, but I had to drive
    	to Maine to retrieve my daughter from camp.
    
    	I'm still considering it, so if you get in a bind, I can
    	feed and water you (like I used to do on the farm). 8-)>
    
    	Scott

    From Mondays SCHENECTADAY GAZETTE.
    
    MEN:
    	Bob Tyson 	431.6 mi	(previous course record 403)
    	Alex Beckkerman 434.1
    	Tom Altemus	432.6
    	Premananda Childs 432.1
    	Joe Bolan	415.6
    
    WOMEN:
    	Nancy Raposo	317
    	Linda Bosquet	253.6
    	Lisa Klasman	208.7
    	Nancy Estilow	205.2
    	Wendy Clairborn 204.2