Originally Posted by Psimet2001
3. Be there before the time listed on the site as the start time. The earlier you are there the farther up in the mass start you'll be. Last year I got there with about 10-15 minutes to spare and I was in the dead back of the pack...just meant that I got to practice my handling skills as I climbed through the ranks.
If your plan is to ride in the lead group (and you have the fitness to implement this plan!) then you pretty much need to line up on the front line. The start is as fast as a criterium and the lead group is established well before you hit Terre Haute. They're also the only ones who will get the police escort through town. Everyone else fends for themselves, and that really can be a bit hairy.
4. I have not done it without sag. While I have done long rides un-supported I wouldn't do this one un-supported. Most other rides are a loop...if you have a bad mech you can usually limp back to the start. Here you can't. 1 way. There are some long stretches without stores. There are many who have done this ride un-supported though. Hey if something happened I'm sure you'd discover how nice others in the community are.
I rode it the past two years with no SAG and will do so again this year. Make sure you and your bike are in good condition, pace yourself, eats and drink liberally, and you'll be fine. I thought there were way, way too many personal SAGs on this ride last year. I dropped out of the second group soon after the first stop when I saw one guy take a hand-off from a moving vehicle while in the middle of the paceline.
Both lame and unsafe! The route was disapointingly cluttered with personal SAGs.... With over 1200 riders this year, expect it to be worse. Unless you're trying to break 7 hours, I don't see any reason for personal SAG on this ride. Just go out and have fun and use the stops!