john
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Re:Ok, so how does this thing work? - 2006/07/03 09:52
Excellent questions Kevin...
Fundamentally, this is an organized event, but each rider is responsible for himself/herself. If you signed up for this event by yourself, but would prefer to ride in a small group, then post a message in the Buddy forum indicating so, and mingle in the riders meeting or at check-in.
Choosing to ride with others in small riding groups is up to the riders themselves. Typically on a Saddlesore event (I've done 4 of these), you find a few riders who prefer to ride alone, they follow their own pace and are comfortable with the down sides of being on their own. and the upside of not being responsible for anyone but themselves. I would say most riders collect up in small groups (2 - 5 riders). These are usually buddies who ride together normally and are doing the event together, or individuals at the event decide to partner up.
I don't necessarily recommend big packs of riders (+6 or so) on endurance events. This isn't like a BMW riders group outing for 100 miles, or something like that. The riders will spread out very quickly. After 10 miles you won't even recognize this as a pack. A small difference in pace is greatly exaggerated over long distances. You are only as fast as the slowest rider in your group and you are responsible (to a degree) with the people you ride with.
My typical preference is to ride with other riders who ride at the same general pace as myself, and even better who I've ridden with before (and know to be safe experienced riders). I stop for any mechanical issue on anyone's bike. I check that all riders in my pack are together after every turn. If any rider is unable to continue (mechanical, fatigue, crash), once emergency contact is made and the rider has a plan, I continue the ride. If there is an injury, I wait for there to be some medical aid and the rider in good care before pushing off. If there is a significant difference in pace, we discuss it on the road. As long as we are still on pace to finish in 24 hours, I'm inclined to continue with the group. If the pace goes above 24 hours, I push on by myself after informing everyone of my plans. My first objective is to finish the event in 24 hours or less safely.
We will have about 35 riders at this event.
JF
kevin_stevens wrote:
I haven't done any rides more organized than "let's see who's at the gas station and go to Julian Sunday". What's the premise - are we all travelling as a pack? Going in little groups and hooking up at predetermined times? On our own or with a buddy and just checking in at regular gas locations?
How many riders are we talking about, roughly?
TIA!
KeS
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