My husband and I volunteered for a road race that my team is putting on. We have been volunteered for driving a wheel and lead vehicle.

We don't quite understand how it all works. (www.arkansasstateroadrace.com)

The course is about 24 miles, and I guess there will be different groups on the course at the same time. I have some questions.

What do you do if your group encounters a slower group that left earlier? Does that happen?

How far ahead or behind do you stay?

Wheel trucks: It doesn't say on the website what the policy on wheels is--I'm guessing we just carry the wheels and the racers flag us down if they need one. They change them themselves, right?

What else?

I'm pretty sure the organizers will cover this, but it's their first race to organize, and I want to be as prepared as possible so they are not overwhelmed with my petty questions. I'm sure they will leave stuff out, and that it will be common sense once we get going. Also, my husband does not read cycling forums so I have a leg up on it just by reading here. I want to be able to inform him, too, if I can. I don't want to make a mistake that causes someone to lose or not finish, or god-forbid, get hurt.

Karen