Personal SAG Drivers on Organized Rides

[velogirl]

Looking for some opinions here. What do you think about folks who have friends/SOs drive the entire century route when they're riding, stopping, taking photos, etc?

I personally think it's a waste of gas (and irresponsible toward our environment). I've been trying really hard to cut out unneccessary driving in my life and I can't imagine having someone come along to "drive" the route of a recreational century I was riding. That's 100 miles of killing the environment.

I also think it's dangerous for the riders -- who wants more cars on the road when you're riding with 100s or 1,000s of other riders? We had some really bad experiences with a national TnT event in Lake Tahoe a number of years ago, and there was at least one car-bike collision that I know of (and the car was a friend/supporter of the cyclist).

Am I nuts, or do some of you share these opinions?

[snapdragen]

I agree with you velogirl. One year at the Cinderella there was someone following his SO in his little sports car. Not exactly a SAG car...and constantly in the way.

[SadieKate]

100% with you. Every organized ride I have been on this year with the exception of the 200K route for the Wine Country had a noticeable increase in traffic from private SAGs. Just volunteer as an official SAG for goodness sake! I wish the organizers would get more assertive about asking them to leave.

By the time the same unmarked car has whizzed around you 5 times and you've had to ride out into traffic to get around them parked only half off the road, your scenic ride on "low traffic roads" is pretty much not so scenic and definitely loosing out on the fun factor.

Official SAGs are there for all necessary support (and the clubs can always use more) and we should all learn to be self-sufficient for foreseeable necessities.

And the cheering hubbies I've seen on the Cinderella . . . certainly isn't letting the wifey-poo be an independent cyclist.

[Eden]

Totally agree - our biggest ride here, the STP (8,000 riders!) by the Cascade Bicycle Club, specifically requests that you do not bring your own private sag, as they feel that it is dangerous and they already provide as much support as you should need to complete the ride.

[Nanci]

Here, some of the Centuries prohibit personal SAG vehicles. The TORSV ride gives drivers maps with an alternate route, so the non-riders can stay off the route, but still meet up with their riders at stops. (There's a non-rider fee so they can eat). For Brevets, it's against the rules to receive assistance from anyone but the RBA anywhere except the controls.

Still, I've seen a lot of older men with their really ancient mothers following them along in a car- they worry or something.

Nanci

[sarahkonamojo]

The Non-Riding Spouse, know it well. (Non-riding Mom, non-riding friend, and non-riding rider also appeared.) Just came off a ride with a lot of them... Ride the Rockies. Due to the length of the ride in both miles and days some people apparently can't handle life without a personal sag. (The ride is more than adequately supported.)

the ride organizers suggest alternate routes for cars, but certainly personal sags just put more cars on the road. And not all of the personal sags take this advice. On top of the increased traffic many of these personal sag vehicles are RVs and campers. Sigh...

SKM

[Trek420]

My opinion is the non riding DH, DP, SOOTOG, SOOTSG, PITA .... whatever if you simply must see, help, be there for, lend emotional and moral support for the rider then by all means CREW!

Sign up, volunteer, help out or otherwise be of service to all.

[sarahkonamojo]

Really had a great time on Ride the Rockies this year. Didn't love the pace line crash I witnessed, but overall great people and great ride. (I won some really nice wheels, too!)

This is only my second Ride the Rockies, but I was much more aware of all of the personal sags this year. Certainly, some riders require sags, the para-cyclists and extremely young/old riders, but most of the sags were unnecessary. The only time the organizers verify your rider status is at bike check and if you require official sag or assistance. I'd say the camping space (shower space) was the real issue, particularly in Chama.

Great ride in spite of the sags and I didn't need a sag. (yea!) Only 2 flats and both caught pre-ride. Oh and those last hills up to the royal gorge, killer.

SKM

[Pedal Wench]

This was my second RTR too, and like you, noticed the vehicles much more this year (last year was my first.)

The ride was incredible - thought I would tip over on the climbs the last day!

Did you win the Cane Creek wheels??? I heard them call your name - almost missed our shuttle to Denver trying to win them! I demo'ed them on the day we rode from Chama to Alamosa. They were incredible on those climbs. I'm seriously thinking about buying a pair. They were really stiff and fast. Beat me up a little bit on those bumpy county roads outside of Alamosa, but they made up for it with speed. You'll love them!

[Kathi]

I was there when you won the wheels too! Remember to pick up both wheels next time!

Do you realize that you were standing about 15 ft from me!

The only cars allowed going to Royal Gorge was for the para-cyclists. There was more traffic east of Alamosa because the major east-west road in that area was closed because of the forest fire around the pass.

Also, maybe some of the private sags were riders that were riding part of the route then having the sag pick them up or switching places.