need advice for Race Across America - 2012

[loopybunny]

I've recently developed a close friendship with a guy that I finally met a couple of weeks ago after nearly three months. When I was visiting, he mentioned that he was trying to put a team together for next year's RAAM made up of brain injury survivors (8 person team, if I remember correctly). Because he's been invaluable to me during recovery from my brain injury, I told him I'd help if he needed it. I wouldn't say that I know fully what I've gotten myself in to, but I do have an idea, if you can call reading Phil Southerland's book getting an idea. (I didn't volunteer to actually race since I know I don't have the time to gain the level of fitness needed. I volunteered for crew duties, social media, photography, etc.)

The team will ride to raise money for the Shepherd Center (http://www.shepherd.org/) in Atlanta, GA, and to increase awareness of traumatic brain injuries.

Since this is still in its infancy, my role so far has been to research information about the race to help prepare a packet for potential sponsors. I've also generated a list of potential team sponsors. We need $100k-$150k to make this a reality.

I've actually already secured one product sponsorship for the team, but I'm still trying to come up with some ideas that would be a good fit for the cause and can sponsor the team financially.

One big idea I had was Papa John's (the pizza place). Apparently John is/was an avid cyclist and was involved in an accident five or so years ago, resulting in a mild head injury. One of his companies also sponsors a smaller, local (to their area, not mine) cycling team and they've done a lot to sponsor sports in Kentucky, including a lot of financial support.

Does anybody have any other ideas? The rest of mine seem to be pretty standard or purely product ideas and not monetary. Perhaps a big company with a deep pocketed CEO with a close connection to TBI...

Would it be beneficial to set up Facebook and Twitter accounts to start getting a following of fans before contacting sponsors so that it would be apparent we can effectively use social media to promote the team and sponsors?

I'm also wondering if anybody has any experience with RAAM... info is available on the site, but there are little things that you can usually only learn from talking to people who have done it. What are items that would be must haves on the trip for riders and crew in order to make everyone less grouchy? How essential are the crew seminars that RAAM offers?

I don't think I know anybody that has done this, but he does. However, his friend is just as busy as he is and it may be hard for them to connect so I'm trying to gather as much info as possible since I have time and it eliminates them having to coordinate conversations across oceans.

Any help is appreciated!

[Veronica]

We crewed for RAAM in 2009. There are a couple of write ups about our experience on our blog. I think the best advice I can give you is to make sure you have enough crew, so that your crew can actually sleep. Sleep deprivation is a very scary thing, especially when driving a van with 5 passengers. :(

And earplugs, Red Bull and red licorice...

Veronica

[loopybunny]

I think I remember Phil saying that the first time TT1 rode, they had too many crew. He'll know how many there should be... my standby response to my friend, "I don't know, ask Phil!"

Earplugs... Great idea! I wouldn't have thought of that.

There will be a load of Action Wipes for hygiene purposes too.

Is the blog the link in your signature?

[Veronica]

Is the blog the link in your signature?

Yes it is.

We only had two crew (driver and navigator) and four riders per vehicle - the riders would drive or navigate for a couple of hours each day, but towards the end they were ready to be done.

If I were to do again, there would need to be three crew per vehicle and one crew member should be asleep at all times.

Veronica

[loopybunny]

Thanks, I'll check it out and start a list of important things to remember.

I wonder how many crew members my friend is thinking about. I'll have to ask.

[evangundy]

Good information on the RAAM website page for race resources: http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/raam/raam2.php?N_webcat_id=13

It would also be good to read just about everything at this link: http://www.ultracycling.com/events/crew_tips.html
and then follow other links in those pages. I saved all the pdf's and notes onto my computer and read a few pages each day, when preparing to crew for RAW 2010. Lee Mitchell has been involved in Ultra Cycling for a lot of years and has lots of good advice. I thnk I read everything he has posted.

The crew seminars they put on are invaluable, especially to newcomers. They cover so much that you might never think about.

I wasn't involved in any sponsor stuff so can't help there.

You will either love the experience or hate it. Definitely you will never forget it :-) I hope to crew for someone doing RAAM someday - I've only crewed for RAW (the first 867 miles of RAAM), Sebring 24hr, Ring of Fire, and Race Across Oregon. I have no desire to race them (well, maybe a 12 hour someday) but I really enjoy being on a crew. It's almost harder work than riding, but very rewarding.

Edna

[carolp]

I crewed this year for RAAM and I would suggest you get in touch with other 8-person teams. I crewed for a four-person team and I think it would be different with that many racers. There are pros and cons to RVs. Some teams don't use them and they are a huge expense and could be something that could be done without.
You may try medical centers and medical device companies for sponsors if there are any that may be used post head trauma.
Sleep deprivation was a big issue for me. Some of my crew did not pull their weight and some of us had to step in and it was rough. You really have to be able to work on very little sleep. Even when I got an hour or so I felt a lot better.
Your crew chief needs to be someone really well organized and not afraid to make tough decisions.
It is seriously a huge undertaking, but that being said, my team, Team4hivhope, which is made up of HIV+ racers, is already planning next year.

[loopybunny]

You may try medical centers and medical device companies for sponsors if there are any that may be used post head trauma.


Actually, the idea is that the team raises money for the Shepherd Center which is a brain and spinal cord rehabilitation facility, therefore it wouldn't make much sense for them to fund the team. The people at Shepherd now have a marketing team working on finding financial sponsorship. My friend recently said it was going to cost half as much as he originally thought, but we didn't get into why that was. We'll see what happens!

[carolp]

I certainly didn't mean that you should ask the center for whom you are raising money-- but medical device companies might be a good way to go. For example, Medtronic makes Deep Brain Stimulation Devices that are used for people with Dystonia and Essential Tremor. There are companies out there, I'm sure, that manufacture titanium plates, etc. used in brain injury cases.

[evangundy]

No updates since last summer - and the time is nearing for 2012 RAAM - is the OP going to be crewing this year? If you are, I hope your team has a great race and finishes well.

Anyone else from TE forums going to be in Oceanside or Annapolis? Or somewhere along the route?

I will be crewing for http://teambacchettaraam.com/ - wish us luck!
Edna

[kacie tri-ing]

Hey!

SO, Pedal Wrench from the forum and I are BOTH on the Team Shepherd Team for RAAM!

Here is our FB page:
http://www.facebook.com/TeamShepherdAtlanta

and our blog that will be active during the race:
http://teamshepherd2012.wordpress.com/

Our bikes are in vans, and headed west!

[Possegal]

From the look at the map, it appears that the race goes by about 12 miles from my house. hmmmm. Is this something you can "watch", given that by the time you make it to MD, I'm guessing there's a good bit of gaps between riders.

Good luck to all crewing. That sounds fascinating and I can't wait to hear the stories!

[kacie tri-ing]

You should totally come out! Pedal Wrench and I are racers, not crew, and we would love a cheer! :-) SO excited to get going!

[Possegal]

Oh that's even more awesome. :) So will your website give enough info for me to narrow down a time when you'd be passing by.

Have cowbell, will travel. :)

[carolp]

Team4HIVHope will be looking for you! We are racing for our second year (I'm crew). We are a friendly group and are happy to cheer on our fellow racers. In fact, two members of the Crank Addicts, one crew and one racer, a team we met last year, are crewing for us this year!
www.team4hivhope.com

[Pedal Wench]

Good luck to all! I will try to say hello to everyone and hope its ladiesnfrom TE!

And a special thanks to Susan O for creatinf this wonderful community. As Kacie and i discussed today, its a small group of women here, and so many of us know eachother from this group.