Personal SAG Drivers on Organized Rides

[Pedal Wench]

Kathi,

Thanks. As a rider, I really appreciate that you went home. No offense, really, but by reducing the number of cars along the route, you made it much safer for me and everyone. Thank you.

I know that they give alternate routes for personal SAGs, but many days, there were no alternates. I realize that they provide a valuable service, and help out other riders too, but there were plenty of official SAGs that would provide that same service too. Like someone else said, we got to know the personal SAGs - "Oh, look, there are the people with the Shelties".

Maybe the personal SAGS could leave extra early, or wait until we're all off the road before they do the drives.

Does anyone who did RTR know if personal SAGs were allowed on the route up to Royal Gorge? Any extra traffic on that would have been really a bad idea - there were folks walking and weaving all over the place!

[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.

[sarahkonamojo]

I won Zipp wheels. I haven't tried them yet. Getting some new tires first.

There were no personal sags up to the Gorge. They did a good job of stopping them at highway 50.

SKM

[hibiscus09]

The only reason I would object to personal sags is due to the increased vehicles among the cyclists. I'm doing the MS150 this year and they do not allow personal sags.