Bailout options

[contango]

My wife and I entered a 100k "Brevet Populaire" a couple of weeks back. Conditions were pretty bad but we decided to go ahead with it anyway. As it happens she hurt her knee so that about 80k into the ride she just couldn't continue.

We had a handy bailout option - the ride was never more than about 15 miles from my dad's house and he was happy to come out and get her. But it got me thinking, what do people do if they are riding a long ride, they're a great distance from the car, and something breaks that can't be fixed or you take an injury that means you just can't cycle back to the car?

Is there a standard answer, or does it just boil down to figuring something out on the basis of not having much option?

[bikenh]

Okay so this sounds like a smart ass answer but I do mean it seriously.

Pray before you leave that nothing does happen.

A lot comes into proper preparation ahead of time. So much can be avoided if you plan and prepare ahead of time. I admit things can go busto whether you like it or not. Fortunately in all the riding I've did everything thus far has always happened on short rides from home...granted having to walk 12.5 miles home after getting a flat tire on January 2nd, 2011 and finding out the rubber gasket on my frame pump had rotted out on me and I couldn't pump up the new tube left me with one/two answer(s), walk home and/or try to hitch. I didn't have a cell phone on me so I couldn't call anyone. I got a bit of a hitch but still probably ended up walking 7-8 miles in biking shoes and ended up also destroying my cleats as a results by the time I got home.

Generally you just have to look at the situation at hand and work with what has occured to figure out the solution to get you home. If the problem is you have bit off more than you can chew thanks to not being in proper shape for the ride you have gotten yourself into than consider whether it is actually possible for you to still continue just at a slower speed. I have ridden a long ways even while bonked. I have gotten to the point of getting my second wind thanks to riding long enough and continuing to eat/drink after bonking. You would be surprised to see just what can happen once you make up your mind to continue riding even though you don't feel like riding anymore. The most important thing that most people have never figured out is the simple fact...the mind controls the body. With saying that I will also say one more important thing...either you control your mind, or your mind controls you. Which way is it going to be?

In the case of physical injury it simply becomes a matter of looking at your possible choices and choosing which solution is the most feasible. Fortunately you got lucky...thankfully. Rarely do you ever get that lucky.

[Carbonfiberboy]

If you're on a brevet or populaire, the organizers should have published their cell numbers. Take the numbers and a phone with you. That's why they published them. If you're on a group permanent, exchange numbers with other riders. If you're just off riding, have a few numbers you can call. Maybe someone will be home. Otherwise, hitching works, pickup trucks being a good bet. I always bring enough stuff to get me somewhere if I have a mechanical or destroy a tire. Injuries are different and may require direct and immediate action along with a 911 call. Try to be ready for anything.

If you just don't feel good, rest for a while and get back on the bike. Sometimes just lying in a ditch for a few minutes will make you feel OK again.

If you're just starting to ride distance, it takes a while to learn how to do it. What to wear, what to bring, what to eat, etc. It's also true that you can feel and hurt a lot worse than you ever thought you could and still keep riding. It takes a lot of riding before one figures out what is and what isn't a ride-ending problem.

[Machka]

When I started Randonneuring (2001-2004), I lived in Manitoba. On my randonnees and other long rides, I had no one who would come and pick me up if something went wrong.

One of my hopes was, perhaps, that one of the other riders might go ahead and finish the ride and then come and get me.

For some of the longer distances, I checked to see where Greyhound (or a smaller feeder service) ran ... and determined that if I could make it to particular towns, I might be able to catch a bus. And if I could make it within about 50 km of Winnipeg, I could probably get a taxi. Those options would be used in extreme circumstances (and fortunately they were never used).

And I carried a lot of stuff with me on the bicycle. I was prepared to "camp out" in the ditch until I felt well enough to continue, or to walk the bicycle home over a period of several days if need be.


When I moved to Alberta, my bailout option were my parents. My father loves cycling as well, and would support me on my randonnees (and he rode some of them with me). When he drove support, I'd usually be on my own for a while, then he'd turn up at a control somewhere around the 200K point or so and leap-frog me the rest of the way. I could have also called him if I needed support before then. I really appreciated that support, especially since I did most of those rides solo.

On one occasion, my father and I did a very cold 200K in Saskatchewan, kept going straight when we should have turned, realised our mistake way too late, and then started the cold slog back in the growing darkness. There was no way we were going to finish the ride in time, so we started hitch-hiking and it wasn't long before we had a ride that took us to about 25 km from the finish, and we rode from there. That's an option, but I wouldn't do it if I were out there by myself.


And here in Australia, Rowan and I ride together. If something happened to one of us, the other would finish the ride and come back with the van. That has happened on one ride (a 100K, where I bailed at 80 km because of heat exhaustion and severe cramping). It is a bit of a worry, however, when we're on the tandem. Rowan could ride the tandem back to the van solo ... but I'm not sure I could.

The organisers here, however, are much more interested in hearing that everyone has gotten in all right than anywhere else that I've ridden. If we get in and I forget to ring them or email them to let them know we're done ... and they ring us. I'm not sure if they would sweep the area if we didn't turn up for a day or two, or what would happen.

[Dudelsack]

Gee. Cell phones.

I'm planning an 80 miler as soon as circumstances allow. It's out and back. Come back with my shield, or on it.

But just in case, I have "find your iPhone" installed on my phone, my wife's phone, and the home computer. I'd tell her before I took off.

Frankly, there are a few rides I should have made the call of shame but didn't because I was stupid.

[10 Wheels]

I have always have drivers stop and ask if I needed anything.

[Carbonfiberboy]

Yes you could, Machka. Wouldn't hurt to practice a little, though. My stoker couldn't reach my pedals. We'd be SOL.

Tell you a funny story. A female friend of mine wanted to ride RAMROD on her tandem. Around here, several women own their own tandems. So she talked a 20-something MTB racer boy into captaining for her. A 154 mile ride with 10,000' isn't exactly the usual MTB race. Near the top of the the last pass, he got off the bike and collapsed. She drug him into the ditch, where he fell fast asleep. You can imagine what was going through her mind. But after about a half hour he woke up, got back on the bike, and finished the last 40 miles in fine style. Helps to be 20-something.

I've lain in a few ditches myself. Never fell asleep, though.

[catonec]

walk of shame!!!

[Homeyba]

I had my knee blow up on a 400k once. My knee hurt so bad that I couldn't even clip in with that leg. I rode the last 65kms with one leg. The hardest part was keeping my sore leg out of the way of the free pedal.

[StephenH]

I've called my wife on two or three occasions early on. My stoker once got picked up by a co-rider's husband when she got sick. I've seen other riders hitch rides from locals. A lot of us would be willing to go pick someone up if needed.

[chasm54]

In principle it is no different to touring. One takes what one will definitely need, and adds to that sufficient extras to cope with some of the more likely eventualities. Those multiply the further one is going to be from home, and multiply rapidly the further one will be from population centres. Generally I have a cellphone, and on any given ride I'll know roughly where the nearest place is that I can seek assistance. It's rarely necessary, but the good news is that one can almost always rely on the kindness of strangers.

[Machka]

Gee. Cell phones.

Only useful if you can get a signal ... and if you have someone to call.

[Rowan]

Indeed, there are many locations here in Australia and Canada where cell phone signals are non-existent, and for obvious reasons, those locations are always the most remote...

When a bad batch of rice hit Machka with a severe bout of food poisoning on BMB, we bailed from the event at the next control (just before the Canadian border), took some time out of things for her to recover a bit, then hitched a ride with the co-organiser about 100km back towards the start so we could ride the course from there back.

There are solutions, and usually it means taking a bit of time to collect thoughts, work out a strategy and go from there. Eating and drinking, and seeking shelter from intense sun or rain are the priorities here. Then when you've (I've) settled down, including the heart rate, look at things objectively and realistically.

One of the distinct advantages a rider can have when a significant mechanical failure occurs is having some knowledge of how their bike works, and how to go about fixing it.

Some people say they have no interest in doing their own mechanical work, leave it entirely in the hands of their LBS mechanic, and think their cell phone is the solution to everything. Well h-el-l-o-o-o-o-o. In LD riding, it doesn't work like that. Get the bike in tip-top condition, and get the knowledge to fix it when things go awry (not directed at anyone on this thread).

[chasm54]

One of the distinct advantages a rider can have when a significant mechanical failure occurs is having some knowledge of how their bike works, and how to go about fixing it.

Some people say they have no interest in doing their own mechanical work, leave it entirely in the hands of their LBS mechanic, and think their cell phone is the solution to everything. Well h-el-l-o-o-o-o-o. In LD riding, it doesn't work like that. Get the bike in tip-top condition, and get the knowledge to fix it when things go awry (not directed at anyone on this thread).

Strongly agree with this. No fun at all being stranded in some remote location because one lacks the expertise to perform a simple fix. If I'm going a big distance I'll generally have spokes inside the seat post, spare links for the chain, the relevant tools to make use of them plus the necessary range of allen keys and a spanner. Together, obviously, with the puncture-related stuff. On a tour I'll supplement that with brake pads, and spare brake and gear cables. One could go further, but having made sure the bike's in good order I'm prepared to risk the bottom bracket etc. Never had a sudden failure, anyway.

Oh, and if on a carbon bike, a spare hanger for the rear mech. That's a hard lesson learned. The lack of standardisation in those means that if you snap one, even if there's a bike shop close by, it's odds-on they won't have the one you want.

[2manybikes]

I had to call a cab once. If there is cell phone service or a house within walking distance, no problem.

[Jamesw2]

On a 100 mile attempt I ran out of water, daylight and energy I was passing a community with a security guard and asked if he could help. He could not help but he called the Sheriff and they gave me a 25 mile ride back to my car. Of course they needed to check my id and run me through a search for warrants. I got to the car drove back and got the bike and drove home a 20 hour day

Have a cell with you the reason my wife could not retrieve me is I had the car DUH! So now i ride and if i get in real trouble I call . . .
Last weekend i was scheduled for 116 mile ride It didn't go as planned lots of wind and chip-seal had me beat up and i rented a room in Bellville TX . . Renting a room was cheaper than buying the gas to come after me I got a good nights rest! Ate some awesome barbecue and rode 60 miles home the next morning.


If you are injured contact emergency services (911)

If you are a weight weeny, go in groups . . . if you ride alone carry at least a handlebar bag or top tube bag with some first aid stuff ,tools, and some over the counter pain meds
Also Have a Road ID or some other id tag on you. When i was hit my bike ended up 30 feet from where i was . . if it would have been a hit and run and my bike was stuck to the car the first respond-ers would not have a clue where to start

[unterhausen]

I had my knee blow up on a 400k once. My knee hurt so bad that I couldn't even clip in with that leg. I rode the last 65kms with one leg. The hardest part was keeping my sore leg out of the way of the free pedal.

that's funny, I had knee blowout on a 400k too. Started acting up at about 100 miles and got progressively worse. I could pedal standing up for quite some time, but I did have to pedal one-legged for the last 20 miles. Turns out that ibuprofen doesn't really help.

on that same ride, a rider paid a local to take him to a hotel so he could wait for a friend. There usually is something you can do, money helps

[contango]

One of the distinct advantages a rider can have when a significant mechanical failure occurs is having some knowledge of how their bike works, and how to go about fixing it.

Some people say they have no interest in doing their own mechanical work, leave it entirely in the hands of their LBS mechanic, and think their cell phone is the solution to everything. Well h-el-l-o-o-o-o-o. In LD riding, it doesn't work like that. Get the bike in tip-top condition, and get the knowledge to fix it when things go awry (not directed at anyone on this thread).

I started to learn how the bike worked on the basis it was cheaper than paying the LBS to do it, and it also meant that if something needed fixing or adjusting on a Saturday before a long weekend I could still ride on Sunday and/or Monday, rather than having to wait until Tuesday to get the bike fixed. Obviously that gives me some flexibility when it comes to longer riding although there's still probably a way to go there.

I figure if something needs tweaking or tuning I can probably fiddle with it enough to get it going again. If I suffer a more critical failure, or something that's beyond my expertise, what to do about it. Every once in a while I hear of someone whose bottom bracket gave out suddenly and catastrophically, and there obviously comes a point where you can only carry so many spares and tools.

Since I always ride with a GPS I know where I am to within about 10 feet, although as people have said that only goes so far, especially since my wife and I only have one car.

[contango]

...even if there's a bike shop close by, it's odds-on they won't have the one you want.

What got me thinking is that in the UK most Audax rides are on Sundays. If there's one day of the week a bike shop will be closed, it's Sunday.

[chasm54]

I figure if something needs tweaking or tuning I can probably fiddle with it enough to get it going again. If I suffer a more critical failure, or something that's beyond my expertise, what to do about it. Every once in a while I hear of someone whose bottom bracket gave out suddenly and catastrophically, and there obviously comes a point where you can only carry so many spares and tools.

Every once in a while I hear of someone whose car has failed utterly because its big end has gone, or the turbo has imploded. They dont have a spare either and are in exactly our situation. Bottom brackets don't fail much. Those that are taken out and looked at now and again fail even less often.

[unterhausen]

one rider finished Endless Mountains by walking up the hills and riding down because his crank had a problem. I would probably ride in that condition if I could, sure there would be annoying grinding noises.

[contango]

Every once in a while I hear of someone whose car has failed utterly because its big end has gone, or the turbo has imploded. They dont have a spare either and are in exactly our situation. Bottom brackets don't fail much. Those that are taken out and looked at now and again fail even less often.

That's true, I hadn't thought of it like that. At least if the bike fails cataclysmically I won't also have a bootful of stuff to haul home!

[vik]

Is there a standard answer, or does it just boil down to figuring something out on the basis of not having much option?

I've never had a problem finishing a brevet. I carry basic tools/spares for tire problems and minor adjustment issues. I check my bike over reasonably well before the ride so I am unlikely to have major problem unless I am very unlucky.

I carry a Visa card and a cellphone with me on all my brevets as well as $20 cash.

Bottom line when you have no choice, but to figure a way out of a situation you'll make it happen. You can't solve that problem until you are faced with the specifics of the situation in question, but one way or another you'll get back to your home/vehicle.

I should also note that I don't start rides that I feel unprepared for physically or mentally. I rarely train and I am not expecting to do anything amazing on a brevet, but if I know I am climbing like **** I don't start a brutally hilly 300K. There is a good chance I'll DNF and in my club the organizer will try and help you out which means I am likely to put out an event day volunteer because I wasn't realistic about my preparedness. That's not cool.

[Dudelsack]

Only useful if you can get a signal ... and if you have someone to call.

I am not as brave as you are. I would be very reluctant, basically I would not ride solo under those circumstances.

I also do not travel far from a Starbucks, a McDonalds, or a DQ. Fortunately, that covers about two thirds of the globe

[The Octopus]

I'll give my $0.02 on randonnees (one's options and what one ought to be willing to endure -- either to continue on or to find one's way home, using their own resourcefulness, should depend, in part, on what kind of ride one is on). I've been thinking about this quite a bit, as a new RBA, and anticipating that I'll have to deal with abandonees.

I think the starting point for randonnees is that the riders are supposed to be self-sufficient. There's no SAG. Whatever the deal, you've got to be prepared to figure it out yourself using whatever resources are at your disposal.... and -- again, as a starting point -- the organizer of the event and the event volunteers are not "resources at your disposal." Those folks are resources at everyone's disposal. Perhaps they can help with whatever your situation is, but their main job is, I think, looking after those who are still on the ride, not dealing with abandoned riders or someone who needs some kind of help on the course.

My cue sheets have my number on it. I'll expect my riders to telephone if they abandon. I want to know they're ok. If I don't hear from someone, I'll call their emergency contact. I know a number of RBAs in the United States who handle abandons this way, and I think it's a good practice.

My cue sheets also have the numbers of the county sheriff on them (for non-emergency matters) and, of course, if there's an emergent situation -- someone is badly hurt or in danger -- then I expect that riders will summon emergency help: 911.

I've seen folks abandon at controls on a number of occasions. What I've done in working a control is, if the start/finish is reasonably on the way back to my home (it could be an hour or more in the other direction, though!), is to give the abandoned rider a ride back to the start after I close the control. It's nice to be able to do this, but it's not something that riders should expect. I think when you leave the start, you've got to be prepared -- your bike, your mind, your body -- to either complete the ride or deal with the circumstances that you're likely to experience. Part of the deal with randonneuring is that you could be out in the middle of nowhere and, for whatever reason, unable or unwilling to continue on. You know that at the start, and therefore, you need to plan and prepare for dealing with that situation, just like any of the number of other situations that you might encounter on a ride (getting lost, getting rained on, being tired, being hungry, cold, ... whatever). Note that on PBP, I don't think they SAG abandonnees, although they do provide very generous neutral support on the course (I had one guy stop and refuse to let me continue pumping my own flat tire a few km before Dreux in '07!).

As a rider, I've stopped to help fellow randonneurs who were out of the course without a pump (and had more flats than they had gas canisters). Front derailleur failures (I've had one and seen several more) are a surprise in that they seem to bother people greatly. Remember, you still have 9 or 10 or perhaps even 11 unique gears, which surely isn't a reason to quit a ride! I given away food, water, tire boots, clothing, and I've seen two fellow randonneurs part with their spare tire (edited to add, I was not the recipient in either case!). The lack of preparation bit -- and this is coming from someone who travels more lightly on brevets than probably most here -- is a bit disconcerting. I'll try to help do my part by educating riders -- in material on the website and in other ways -- but I think it's a randonneur's responsibility to come to these events prepared. Expecting a ride from a volunteer because your tire was flat and you had no pump (I've seen this), is poor sportsmanship, in my opinion.

I'm sure I come across to some as a cold-hearted bastard, but I hope y'all take this in the spirit I intend it. I'm a helpful, compassionate guy. But our ride organizers are not running club rides or cancer fundraisers or organized centuries. Randonneuring is different.