BikeFest Rural Heritage Tour

[emily_in_nc]

CA ~ Hope you get to do the sweep! Can't believe the volunteer coordinator hasn't contacted you yet. They used to be much more organized.

I swept the last 38 miles of the century a couple of years ago, and it was a challenge, because they had us start too quickly behind the back of the century riders. Naturally, there were a few very slow riders attempting their first century back there (not that there's anything wrong with that!!), so Evan and I caught up with them almost immediately. We spent the rest of the ride having to stop and take breaks to let the back of the pack riders get a bit up the road from us, then we'd catch them again. We were not trying to go fast, but these guys had done a lot more miles than us that day, it was hot and sunny, and the last 38 miles was hilly as well, so they were suffering. One guy took a wrong turn (we didn't see him), and when we got back to the courthouse, he had not arrived. The sag drivers had to go all over looking for him. He finally turned up.

Since I'm only mountain biking now, I am not doing anything with Bikefest this year (riding or volunteering), but I hope you and everyone else has a blast! Last year I worked at the courthouse rest stop (I was still recovering from my fractured pelvis so was not ready to ride), and despite the heat, it was a lot of fun (and all the cookies we could eat!)

Emily

[Blueberry]

Thanks, Emily! We still don't know (despite my plea to the bike fest director on on Wednesday). It's really frustrating - we see all of the please for more volunteers in the newsletter, and we try to help and can't get an answer. I don't know how you address that as a club, but I can see why more aren't volunterring at this point. We chose not to register (didn't want to end up paying if we wouldn't have had to), so if we're not riding if we don't sweep.

For all who will be there - I have a purpleish helmet, really short blonde hair and ride a Blue Cannondale R600 (named Blueberry). I may ride my touring bike, though - a Green Cannondale T800 (since we'll be going slowly anyway, I'll get more of a workout and can carry more goodies for lagging riders!). If we get to ride...

Carrie Anne

[emily_in_nc]

Carrie Anne ~

Let me know how it turns out. I hope you get to ride! And, I hope the weather is decent. It is too bad that they are not jumping to welcome you with open arms since they are always desperate for volunteers....

Emily