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Advice for Novice SAG Drivers?
A few quick searches turned up zip for me. I figured somebody here
might know where to look. Having been "volunteered", by consequences, karma and collective consensus, I'm looking for basic insights to the process. What from a driver's and from the riders' POV makes for a satisfactory service? Specifically how to best manage route finding and sweep duties. -- zk |
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#2
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Advice for Novice SAG Drivers?
What from a driver's and from the riders' POV makes for a satisfactory
service? Zoot, I've performed SAG duties for a number of years and I've ridden my share of organized rides, so I have experience with both perspectives. A few points which come to mind: 1) More than anything else, SAG drivers should be prepared to assist with flat tires. The driver should be proficient in changing them and have a good floor pump in their vehicle. They should also carry an assortment of tubes for sale (or to give gratis) to riders. 2) If SAG drivers are proficient at other simple ( 5 minute) repairs and wish to carry some tools, great. For bigger problems or if the SAG can't fix it, or is too busy to fix, they should be prepared to carry the riders to the next rest stop where hopefully a qualified mechanic can assist. 3) Exhausted riders should be carried forward to the next rest stop. The SAG should be able to carry a minimum of 2 people and their bikes. Some SAGs should be capable of carrying a tandem. 4) The best SAG system I've worked with uses three types of SAGS: a) Shuttle SAGs to transport riders from rest stops back to the finish. The goal should be to have enough of these so that riders do not have to wait longer than 30 minutes for a ride. b) Regular SAGs on routes between rest stops. The goal should be to have enough of these so that riders don't have to wait longer than 5 to 10 minutes for service. c) A Sweep SAG to follow the last rider 5) If the route has some unusually congested area (for example, a climb on a narrow road), consider SAGing that zone using a motorcycle (or bicycle!) SAG. 6) SAGs should all have cell phones if coverage is good, and have a list of each other's numbers, including a central control number at the ride start/finish. If cell phone coverage is poor in some areas, consider putting a HAM radio operator in the SAG and having a HAM base station at the start/finish (really sophisticated rides will also place GPS transponders in some of the SAGs, allowing the base control station to track their location). 7) Central control should actively shift SAGs forward on the course to where the bulk of the riders are to assure good coverage. 8) The most important attribute in a SAG is a friendly, caring attitude. 9) The biggest beef I have seen repeatedly on rides is that you see many SAGs the first 30 miles of the ride, but none at all during the last 30. That's just the main points. Post/email me if you want to discuss further. Chris Neary "Science, freedom, beauty, adventu what more could you ask of life? Bicycling combined all the elements I loved" - Adapted from a quotation by Charles Lindbergh |
#3
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Advice for Novice SAG Drivers?
Fri, 17 Jun 2005 16:53:26 -0700,
, Chris Neary wrote: I've performed SAG duties for a number of years and I've ridden my share of organized rides, so I have experience with both perspectives. A few points which come to mind: 1) More than anything else, SAG drivers should be prepared to assist with flat tires. The driver should be proficient in changing them and have a good floor pump in their vehicle. They should also carry an assortment of tubes for sale (or to give gratis) to riders. 2) If SAG drivers are proficient at other simple ( 5 minute) repairs and wish to carry some tools, great. For bigger problems or if the SAG can't fix it, or is too busy to fix, they should be prepared to carry the riders to the next rest stop where hopefully a qualified mechanic can assist. 3) Exhausted riders should be carried forward to the next rest stop. The SAG should be able to carry a minimum of 2 people and their bikes. Some SAGs should be capable of carrying a tandem. 4) The best SAG system I've worked with uses three types of SAGS: a) Shuttle SAGs to transport riders from rest stops back to the finish. The goal should be to have enough of these so that riders do not have to wait longer than 30 minutes for a ride. b) Regular SAGs on routes between rest stops. The goal should be to have enough of these so that riders don't have to wait longer than 5 to 10 minutes for service. c) A Sweep SAG to follow the last rider 5) If the route has some unusually congested area (for example, a climb on a narrow road), consider SAGing that zone using a motorcycle (or bicycle!) SAG. 6) SAGs should all have cell phones if coverage is good, and have a list of each other's numbers, including a central control number at the ride start/finish. If cell phone coverage is poor in some areas, consider putting a HAM radio operator in the SAG and having a HAM base station at the start/finish (really sophisticated rides will also place GPS transponders in some of the SAGs, allowing the base control station to track their location). 7) Central control should actively shift SAGs forward on the course to where the bulk of the riders are to assure good coverage. 8) The most important attribute in a SAG is a friendly, caring attitude. 9) The biggest beef I have seen repeatedly on rides is that you see many SAGs the first 30 miles of the ride, but none at all during the last 30. That's just the main points. Post/email me if you want to discuss further. Chris Neary Thank you for that. I've left your message intact as there's nothing presently in the archives and that's so good it should be there twice. This ride will be no more than twenty riders and only ~75 Km. The route has yet to be finalised and I'll be driving the only SAG. Along with your recommended spares and tools, I'll basically just be carrying some camping gear. The riders are all known to each other so they will be able to rely on mutual support for their most immediate needs. As they'll likely get broken up into smaller groups, I'm going to recommend that at least one cell phone remain with each group. I don't know about cell coverage though I expect the area is saturated. Thanks again, You've given me plenty to bring to the table when we have our planning meeting. -- zk |
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Advice for Novice SAG Drivers?
Zoot Katz wrote:
A few quick searches turned up zip for me. I figured somebody here might know where to look. Having been "volunteered", by consequences, karma and collective consensus, I'm looking for basic insights to the process. What from a driver's and from the riders' POV makes for a satisfactory service? Specifically how to best manage route finding and sweep duties. Carry a cooler full of beer and ice. -- ***************************** Chuck Anderson • Boulder, CO http://www.CycleTourist.com Integrity is obvious. The lack of it is common. ***************************** |
#5
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Advice for Novice SAG Drivers?
Fri, 17 Jun 2005 20:45:02 -0600, ,
Chuck Anderson wrote: Carry a cooler full of beer and ice. Check: Cooler & Ice. Riders will supply their own preferred beverages. A separate water cooler for bottle refills might be handy. A lot depends on the route. Water may be readily available along the way. -- zk |
#6
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Advice for Novice SAG Drivers?
On Fri, 17 Jun 2005 16:09:46 -0700, Zoot Katz
wrote: What from a driver's and from the riders' POV makes for a satisfactory service? In addition to the fairly complete list from Chris Neary, I'd add one suggestion; drive the route backwards. This way you get to pass many more riders and are much more visible to them. Of course it helps to have a "SAG" sign visible on your vehicle. Having driven SAG on our club's invitational for ten years I also feel that passing the riders head-on from the other side of the road is less intimidating than coming up behind them when they have no idea if you're a SAG or a hostile local, especially on the narrow country roads our invitational typically uses. A side benefit, being more visible and passing more riders makes the riders feel the ride is more thoroughly supported by the SAG service. jeverett3ATearthlinkDOTnet http://home.earthlink.net/~jeverett3 |
#7
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Advice for Novice SAG Drivers?
Zoot Katz wrote: A few quick searches turned up zip for me. I figured somebody here might know where to look. Having been "volunteered", by consequences, karma and collective consensus, I'm looking for basic insights to the process. What from a driver's and from the riders' POV makes for a satisfactory service? Specifically how to best manage route finding and sweep duties. -- When I ran the NorthEast Ohio Century, I passed out these suggestions to our SAG drivers. See if they're helpful. BTW, cell phones were much less common back then, so they're not mentioned. (We did have ham radio operators assisting us for several years.) So message-carrying was a bigger duty then than now. Anyway, here you go: ================================================== ======================== NEOC SAG WAGON PROCEDURES: First, PLEASE keep track of your mileage. We want to reimburse you! Mileage is a legitimate NEOC expense. We're glad you're donating your time - we don't want your money! NEOC will make a profit. Sag wagons drivers should arrive at registration by 7:00. The first riders start riding then. Sag wagons should carry the following, if possible: A sag wagon sign. (from the NEOC chairperson) Extra maps of all the routes. (Note emergency numbers on the back). TOOLS: Wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, allen wrenches (metric). Flat tire stuff - patch kit, tire irons, pump & adaptor (presta & schrader), maybe spare tubes. Maybe even spare tires, if you have some. Oddball bike tools if you have them. Chain tool, cone wrenches, spoke wrench, extra spokes, etc. If you have these, throw them in. Oil, and paper towels, maybe some hand cleaner. Bike racks, bungee cords. First aid kit. Blankets, as a first aid tool. Jugs of water. Trash bags for emergency raincoats. Talk with the other sag drivers to cover the routes logically. Arrange for meeting places to continue such planning. Your first duty is to check on and assist riders that may be having trouble. Some may not flag you down when they should (they may not see you in time, or they may be embarrassed), so drive slowly, with headlights on, and talk to all the riders. Be friendly, say a word of encouragement, and keep your eye on people. Give them plenty of time to flag you! Drive very carefully, it's very easy to get distracted. If somebody does need help, be sure to stop well off the road, using flashers. Use good judgement about recommending whether somebody should continue, if they have serious bike problems or fatigue. If someone does need sagged back, they're going to feel pretty bad. Try to say the right things, make them feel better. *** PLEASE act as a messenger to the cookie stop, lunch stop, and registration/check-in people. In particular, everybody will need to know for sure when the last riders will come through, so they can begin packing up. (Toward the day's end, keep track of who's still out there - get rider numbers, if used, or good descriptions.) Also, you'll probably be asked to deliver food, etc. from the 25 stop to registration. Be sure they don't go hungry. Be friendly and helpful. Make it a good experience for everybody. (If you work out some improvements or suggestions, please write them down so we can update this sheet for next year's workers.) ================================================== ================= - Frank Krygowski |
#8
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Advice for Novice SAG Drivers?
This ride will be no more than twenty riders and only ~75 Km. The
route has yet to be finalised and I'll be driving the only SAG. Along with your recommended spares and tools, I'll basically just be carrying some camping gear. The riders are all known to each other so they will be able to rely on mutual support for their most immediate needs. OK, I understand a little better now. Your role is essentially serving as a tour-SAG, as opposed to the event SAG my message addressed. That makes your job easier. Since your riders sound experienced, immediate SAG support for minor problems probably isn't warranted or expected. Your main concerns are transporting "stuff" to the ride finish or pre-designated regroup points (maybe lunch?) and being available in case a major equipment failure or physical problem occurs. Typically, such a SAG would function like a sweep, but occastionally would move forward (and then back) to check over the entire group or to move to a regroup point where people will be expecting snackies or lunch. In addition to the items mentioned in my last message, consider carrying a good supply of water (I know you said your riders are supplying drinks, but better safe.....) and a spare tire, especially if anyone is riding an odd size like 650C or "Friday-sized" tires. You'll have a good time, though I have a hard time picturing you behind the wheel :-) Chris Neary "Science, freedom, beauty, adventu what more could you ask of life? Bicycling combined all the elements I loved" - Adapted from a quotation by Charles Lindbergh |
#9
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Advice for Novice SAG Drivers?
Sat, 18 Jun 2005 07:48:29 -0700,
, Chris Neary wrote, in part: \ Since your riders sound experienced, immediate SAG support for minor problems probably isn't warranted or expected. Your main concerns are transporting "stuff" to the ride finish or pre-designated regroup points (maybe lunch?) and being available in case a major equipment failure or physical problem occurs. They've pretty much all built their own bikes. Lacking a welding torch, a whack of hose clamps and splints might come in handy. There may be a few civilian bikes. Most riders are experienced commuters and tourists. One of the riders is notoriously always ill prepared and another may end up too drunk to finish and too belligerent to abandon. Two others will probably drop the group to do their own tour. Typically, such a SAG would function like a sweep, but occastionally would move forward (and then back) to check over the entire group or to move to a regroup point where people will be expecting snackies or lunch. \ Some riders are leaving from the start point and others will take transit to some point in the burbs before commencing. It may prove impossible to get everybody to stick to the agreed route. They're mostly all artists and Fellini extras. You'll have a good time, though I have a hard time picturing you behind the wheel :-) I know. I'm having a hard time with it myself. It may be easier if I rent a black serge double-breasted tunic with jodhpurs, knee high boots and a chauffeurs cap though. Dressed like that I'd probably be able to leave my own sleeping bag at home. It sounds like the SAG wagon covers three or four times more milage than the riders. Fun it may be though it will be a long day for me. -- zk |
#10
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Advice for Novice SAG Drivers?
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