spingineer

You were actually the strongest of us all ... I had my spirts, but you definitely held us all together. Moral support was definitely key. I think we all kept each other going just by being there together. I don't think I would have even attempted it if you guys weren't there.

Side note: It also helped out immensely, being texted in between rest stops. That gave me much encouragement.

cccorlew

Here's my overly long, yet still incomplete ride report with photos...
https://ccorlew.blogspot.com/2010/09/...mmary-202.html

200miler

Congrats to all finishers! I didn't envy ANYONE riding thru Lower Lake Saturday. When the breezes hotted up just before the climb up past the gold mine I knew it was going to be a cooker! I positioned myself just at the top of the 1st step, on the short plateau, and ran an ad hoc water stop. After lunch I was SAGing a rider forward and couldn't help but notice that distinct smell of burning lycra on the climb up Loch Lomond - nasty! I'm reticent about mentioning this, but I will anyway! I rode the staff 'do' on the 18th and it was 20° cooler all along the way. The highest temp I spotted on the 'puter thermo was a 92° on the nasty Loch Lomond Rd.

Good show folks!

YMMV
-dg

cccorlew

It was great that there were a couple of spots where ad hoc water stops popped up. I was really grateful for one on Knoxville Rd. when I was low of water, and getting hot. The ice i got there really helped me carry on. That's the kind of support that really makes a difference. You can tell the Knoxville is run and supported by people who understand long distance cycling.

We saw a lot of SAG go by looking full. We were wondering how many DNFs there were. That has to make a lot more work for the support crew.

200miler

Most all of "Quack" are DC/enduro riders. We've been there! That makes one more aware of how the rider is feeling, and what he might need. Plus, most of us like hot dogs [with chili are best!!], so they're a part of the Lake Hennessey TS! It's a matter of what we've all wished for when we're doing rides, placed at the appropriate place[s] on our rides.

The results, when Scott gets them tabulated, will not show DNF's. We don't believe in broadcasting the fact that a certain rider had a bad day. If you are one of the DNF's, you already know it! Enough said!

Also, spingineer , if you are serious about working DMD, check the Quack web site about the 1st of Feb 2011. The volunteer sign-up page should be up by then. The real "hot spots" on that ride are Mines Road, lunch [at the Junction Café], and Sunol, the last stop. Most all vols start at the various TS's to gain experience. To do something like SAG requires a reasonable amount of prior experience [plus wrench ability] and will need to be accompanied by a CV of sorts. We welcome all to help, but like the Marines, many volunteer, but few are chosen!

YMMV
-dg

spingineer

Thanks for the ad hoc water stop. That really did help me, as the official water stop was a lot longer than I was expecting it to be. And whoever egged me on for an ice sock ... thousand thank you's. Now I know why everyone raves about Quackcyclists ... I will definitely volunteer to help DMD next year (only because I'm not going to do it).

spingineer

Thanks for the tip. I don't care what capacity it is, but I just felt with the support I got on Knoxville, I should give back something. Plus, I've never supported a ride (only thing I did was volunteer for traveling course marshall for ATOC).

200miler

The "pay it forward" feeling is just like that little endorphin rush you get when you see the S/F and you know you're done. That's pretty much how most volunteers get hooked on it.

And I don't know why you wouldn't want to ride DMD, truly. I've completed it 5 times, and I'm older than DIRT! If you volunteer you could always ride the staff ride, usually the weekend prior to the public event. That way you'll be able to suffer along with your fellow vols/new comrades-in-arms, and still get CTC credit. I have to warn you though, it *IS* a suffer fest [weather-related usually], but fun nonetheless.

YMMV
-dg

cccorlew

Holy smokes, that darn Knoxville took me right to the edge. I don't know how people ride the DMD. I don't think I could get close to their time limit. But Ron rocks, so ya never know....

PrincessZippy

I'm thinking about doing the DMD staff ride again next year. Scott has a jersey for me, (it's been in his garage since 2006!) and my new bike is so much faster and fits me better. When I look back at my write up from my DNF in 2006, I know I've addressed all the issues that made me get off the bike at the Hamilton rest stop.

Maybe I'll come to my senses. I'm still toying with the idea of a full Ironman next year.

Veronica

spingineer

There is one very good reason why I wouldn't ride DMD ... because I wouldn't finish .. or at least beat the cut-off time. I'm not that fast climbing (despite what cccorlew says). Is it uncouth to volunteer and not do the worker's ride? Well, maybe I'd do it, but let myself get sagged?

PrincessZippy

Thom and I have been volunteering for DMD since 2003. Thom has never ridden a worker's ride. He has done sag on the two worker's rides that I did. In 8 years I've only ridden the worker's ride twice. In 2006 I rode the real ride while Thom did sag by himself.

It's not uncouth. We've worked Knoxville almost as many years and I've only done that staff ride once. And that year I didn't work the real ride either, but Thom did.

And the Quacks aren't some elitist group with a secret handshake. Although we do bird calls.

Veronica

200miler

Look for a PM.....

~~~~~~~~~~
Apparently I don't *QUALIFY* to send PM's!! Fie!!!

I have info you can use, just need a way to get it to you..
-dg

200miler

-dp-