When to call the SAG wagon

Cycling: When to call the SAG wagon

By John Cutter - Orlando Sentinel

jcutter@orlandosentinel.com

Somewhere near mile 85 on Sunday, I realized I was not going to finish the Tour de Forts, one of my favorite cycling events.

It was only 15 miles to the finish, but I was hot and tired. More importantly, I didn't feel safe on a busy two-lane road with no bike lane and construction ahead. It was the tightest part of the route, the vast majority of which was on extremely bike-friendly roads.

After the fifth car whizzed around me, as I struggled to ride more than 12 mph into the wind, I pulled safely onto the grassy shoulder.

It was time for the SAG wagon, which picked me up and took me to the finish. 

It's not how any cyclist wants to finish a long ride, but sometimes it is the smartest move.  It is far better to live to ride another day than let physical and mental fatigue cause you to injure yourself or another rider.

But almost every instinct in a cyclist fights against quiting, especially that close to the end of a Century.  

My "spidey" sense told me to stop on that road in St. Johns County. I had felt that way for a couple of hours, after we turned into a strong wind around mile 45 in St. Augustine and my speed dropped quickly from 20-plus mph to 13 or so. 

I ignored that little voice. Part of the appeal of riding is pushing yourself hard, yelling "shut up legs" while you imagine that post-race meal and drink. 

I see no shame in grabbing that ride from the volunteer, who sweetly even offered to drop me off close to the finish so I could ride in. Since this was not a timed race, she wasn't violating any rules, simply trying to be save me if I felt embarrassed. 

I didn't. Although I didn't like making the decision, I am at peace with it. 

I encourage cyclists to know when they have passed the limits of safe riding. Ask yourself, are you having trouble keeping your bike straight in your lane? Are you cramping? Are you having trouble thinking clearly? Do you feel safe?

As I put my bike away at my car, I saw another cyclist pouring hydrogen peroxide on nasty road rash on his legs and arm. Apparently someone stopped unexpectedly in front of him, sending him to the ground.

I don't know if the person who stopped was past his or her limit, but I felt even better about my decision. I could have hurt myself or someone else if I hadn't stopped for the SAG wagon.

April 11, 2015 - FCC's Big Hat Century

Fresno Cycling Club's Big Hat Century was this past week.  The riders couldn't have ordered a better weather.

This year's ride changed the route a bit.  From Clovis, to Friant, to O'Neals, up Walker Grade to Northfork & around Bass Lake was unchanged.  The difference was the return trip through Auberry, meaning a climb over Powerhouse Grade.  A challenge for many riders.

All told though, by the end of the day, all of the riders made it, with very few mechanical problems to report, and only one spill.  From a SAG standpoint, any ride where we're not needed is a good day.

The beginning of the day started out great with many riders mingling and anticipating the day to come.

Riders line up at the start of the day.

The obligatory Bike Lane photo.  This was taken just south of the town of Friant (looking north to Friant).

Spring Valley School rest stop, O'Neals, Ca.  The Metric Century riders turned around here.  The 85 mile and 100 mile riders continued on to Northfork.

March 21, 2015 - The OTF Omnium Ventana Hills Circuit Race

I worked the Ventana Hills Circuit Race again this year.  It was a great day for racing. Sunny.  Temps between 60° & 80°, and a light breeze.  There weren't many racers this year, but those who were there, had a good day.

The following video was taken during the Circuit Race.

For more information about the Omnium, you can check out my post from last year, or check out the Off The Front Omnium website at http://otfrace.com/.

March 22, 2014 - OTF (Off The Front) Omnium Circuit Race and Time Trial

March 22 & 23, 2014 was the OTF Omnium.  The Off The Front (OTF) Omnium is a 3 event / 2 day bicycle race held in the Fresno & Hanford areas. Each race offers a different discipline of cycling, including Time Trialing, Flat Power, and small hill climbs. There are 3 races, Ventana Hills TT and the Granville Homes Circuit Race on Day 1 and the long time running Hanford Criterium on Day 2.  I worked on the Circuit Race as "eyes on course" for the USA Cycling Marshals, following the racers around the 1.9 mile route.  With the exception of one rider who crashed as the result of a wheel touch, there were virtually no mechanical problems.

The Circuit course was held in the Ventana Hills subdivision, west of the Millerton and Auberry Road intersection, in the foothills of east of Clovis, Ca.  The course wasn't closed, but because there are only 4 or 5 homes built in the subdivision, there was virtually no traffic.  The road surface was new, smooth, and debris free.  Describing the Circuit course as "fantastic" is an understatement.

Ventana Hills Subdivision Circuit Course

The day couldn't have been better.  Temps in the mid 50°s early warmed to the low 70°s later in the day.  A great day for a race.

Pre-Race warm-ups.

Tom Daugherty & his wife Babette oversee some of the Marshalling duties.

This is the start of one of the men's races. The women started 1 minute after.

A pre-race wave. (Steve Grusis, Race Promoter, is over Kevin's left shoulder, wearing the hat.)

Staging for the first heat of the day.

One word says it all...

Paul Moore meets John Askew at the top of Kaiser Pass during the 2013 Climb to Kaiser.

...'nuff said.

Climb to Kaiser on KSEE24

Fresno Cycling Club Dennis Ball was interviewed on KSEE24 about the 36th Annual Climb to Kaiser.  The 2013 Climb to Kaiser will take place on June 29, 2013.

Paris Roubaix Support crews

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be on the support crew of a professional bike race? Check out these crew shots from the Paris Roubaix!