EPIC TRAINING SYSTEMS
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2008 Furnace Creek 508 Solo Race Report
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PRE-RACE PLANNING |
| THE CREW |
| THE CREW THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOURSELF SUCCEED IN THE 508, IS TO SELECT A GREAT CREW. Let me say that again because it is important. THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOURSELF SUCCEED IN THE 508, IS TO SELECT A GREAT CREW The crew won't win the race for you but they sure can prevent you from doing your best. Select your crew members wisely. Your crew will be there to comfort you, motivate you, protect you, feed you, and ultimately bask in your glory as you all cross the finish line together as a team. Here are some basic questions and attributes you are looking for in your crew members. 1. Have you ever crewed for someone in an Ultra Cycling or Ultra event? 2. If so what did you learn? Give me an example of something you would do differently? Now give me an example of something that you would definitely do the same. 3. WHY do you wish to crew for this Ultra event? 4. Have you raced an Ultra yourself? Have you ever raced in a crew supported Ultra event? What value can you add now as a member of a crew having experienced the other side as a racer? 5. Do you have the ability to be totally committed to the racer? NOTHING MATTERS MORE TO YOU THAN THE SUCCESS OF THE RACER FINISHING THE 508. 6. Do you possess the ability to identify the pain the rider is in and anticipate what he or she needs to be more comfortable? 7.. Do you possess the ability to make decisions while experiencing sleep deprivation, boredom, hunger, thirst and general discomfort from extreme climatic conditions? CREW CHIEF Planning for a multi-day bicycle race that includes a crew and support vehicle is a very demanding job. I chose Brandy as my crew chief. I felt that she possessed the qualities that I look for in a crew chief. She is now a veteran of crewing for me. And more importantly she was the Crew Chief on my 2007 Race Across America two person team. NO ONE IN THE CREW IS DISPENSABLE BUT I BELIEVE YOUR CREW CHIEF IS THE GLUE THAT KEEPS YOUR CREW TOGETHER. NAVIGATOR AND FEEDER Although all members of the crew will wear many hats it is important that one person be the go-to-person, the crew chief. Once the crew chief is selected the other two crew members must be the type of persons who are capable of being crew chiefs themselves but are willing to be a part of a team. They possess the intelligence and resourcefulness to assist the crew chief in his duties because they understand the mission and the final objective. The additional crew members should be versed in basic bicycle maintenance, navigation, driving a follow vehicle safely behind their racer, know how to properly provide leap-frog support, nutrition for the rider and many other things. I chose Ticia. She is new to the world of Ultras but she has Brandy and Jason to help her succeed. Both of which I am confident, having been crew members for me in the past, would be able understand and anticipate the needs of the crew chief and the rider. |
| INTRODUCTION What follows is a report that I hope will be informative, entertaining and in the end educational. Just like last year's report, I hope to have LESSONS LEARNED and maybe this time include the crew's perspective as well. The first part talks about the logistics and details. Then there is a stage by stage account of the "toughest 48 hours in sport" the Furnace Creek 508. For a day by day account of the preparation work leading up to the 508 check out the blog. |
| THE BUDGET Compiling a budget is the next step in the process. The assumption here that you have a general idea how much it will cost you to do the 508. Allow me to explain. The sport of Ultra Cycling is very expensive. Yes buying a bike and clothing is expensive but those are just the basic necessities. Now take it to the next level. If you decide to do supported double centuries or brevets the costs are entry fees, travel and lodging. Now take it to the next level. If/When you venture into the crew supported Ultras the costs begin to sail upwards. Here are just a few of the considerations associated with crew supported racing. 1. Vehicle Rental- Unless you plan on using the family wagon for your SAG vehicle it makes sense to just rent one. PROS- A. Wear and Tear- you will be driving a minimum of 508 on the course. Often doubling back and forth on/off the course. And you will travel to and from the race site. Why put all that wear and tear on your family vehicle? CONS- A. Pick up and drop off could be inconvenient. You need two cars and drivers to pick and drop off the rental vehicle. B. Cost- You are paying per day and you should get the additional insurance. Plus you are already making a monthly note on your family vehicle. C. Time- Prep time is cut to a minimum when renting a van. You don't have the luxury to set the van up the way you really want with personal modifications. D. Roof rack- Rental vans will not come with roof racks and so transporting your bikes, equipment and four persons can be a really tight fit. Once you are racing this is less of an issue. One bike and you, the racer, are not in the vehicle. 2. Travel Expenses- CREW and RIDER to and from the race site. It is proper etiquette to pay for your crew members travel expenses. 3. Lodging- Start Line and Finish Line accommodations for you and your CREW 4. Food- For RIDER and CREW 5. Special Equipment - Safety yellow strobe lights Caution signs, RAAM has a special light bar that can be rented but needs to be reserved. 6. Totem Signs- In the 508 you race under an animal name not a race number. Should be a one time expenses but still an expense. DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO MAKE YOUR TOTEM SIGNS. 7. Lighting Systems- Night riding is a given once you move passed a double century. |
ADDITIONAL FURNACE CREEK RACE REPORTS |
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