Let's get ready to rumble!

The bike ride is just a little over a week away (Saturday 9/25). It's the culmination of many months of work by a number of people in the club. Now's the time for the rest of us to step up and play our part. Alan's made a list and checking it twice, so be sure you're on the nice list!

This year there are a few less tasks because of COVID so we aren't doing tasks that require people to congregate so no day of check-in, no swag bag, no after meal or beer garden. How sad! That's the way it goes if we want to have a ride this year; many others have been canceled so we're grateful we found a way to make it happen even if it means it's a little different this year.

Here's a rundown of the different week-of-ride tasks that require support for this year. For those familiar with the ride, just look at what people have signed up for and let Alan know where you'd like to be added. For new members, welcome, this is our big event! I've included a short description for the new and future members to see what gets done the week of the ride.

Wednesday, 3pm: Storage Unit Supply Check. The Wednesday of ride week, a group gets together to go through our Ohme storage unit (D99) and arrange everything so that it is ready to go for Friday when they set most of the course up. If things are identified that need repairs or that have gone missing, this gives the team Thursday to take care of it.

• PJ
• Kevin
• David B.
• Alan
• Craig

On Thursday PJ will set up the bike racks at the Pit Stops and mark the porta potty locations.

Friday, 8am to noon: Route Setup. The day before the ride, the pit stops need some items dropped off, route markers (stickers on the ground and roadside signs) need to be placed on the route. Bio-degradable stickers that are neon arrows are placed on the asphalt to let the riders know they're going the right direction. When turns are coming up, arrows are placed on the asphalt well before the turn and done at an angle on the ground so the riders know to slow down and so they know which way they will be turning. Small signs the size of political campaign signs are also placed along the route to let drivers know bikers are on the road and another way to confirm for the riders they haven't missed a turn. Sandwich boards are placed in key locations for the riders. Those setting up the ride up to Cashmere and back (25 mile route) are done fairly early, the ones going to Leavenworth (50 mile route) are done a little later, and PJ and a helper will go all the way to the Lake Wenatchee fire station and back. On the way back to town, they drive the route as if they are riding it and add any additional signage and arrows they think will be helpful making this part the longest portion of the set up detail. As a bonus, the team often meets for breakfast at 7am to decide who will do which part of the route setup.

• PJ
• David B
• Wayne
• Mansour
• Kevin
• Dave F
• Alan
• Erik

Also on Friday Alan will do a grocery run and will pick up the sandwiches Saturday morning.

Saturday, 6am to 9am: Rider Welcome. Instead of the recent starts at Pybus, we'll be starting at Walla Walla Park Shelter #2 (the South shelter). This is a bit more low key this year. No bibs, no day of registration, no goodie bag, no group start, nothing. This group sets up our Rotary blow-up arch as the official start of the ride, sets up a sound system for music and pre-race announcements and then points arriving riders to starting arch and sends them on their way.

• Jim H
• David B
• Erik
• Kathleen
• Kelly

Saturday, 6:30am to 9am: Confluence Park Transition. The ride starts on the Loop Trail, but at Confluence Park riders transition to the open road. These folks make sure riders make the transition seamlessly.

• Chris
• Zach

Saturday, 7am to 3pm: Cashmere Water Stop. This is our ride's first official turnaround. Riders only going 25 miles will hit this as the halfway home point. This stop supplies water and limited food items, that's why it's called a water stop rather than a pit stop. For riders going 50 or 100 miles, they won't stop here on the way out, but will stop here on the way home. There is a small amount of set up including a pop-up tent like you see at youth sporting events for shade.

• John S
• Milt
• Alice

Hired certified flaggers are utilized at the bridge crossing in Dryden where the riders need to ride a short distance on highway 2 and we close one lane of traffic. Also in the transition to Chumstick highway.

Saturday, 7am to 2pm: Leavenworth Pit Stop. This is the 50 mile turnaround and as the first pit stop is stocked with with a lot more goodies including sandwiches than the Cashmere Water Stop. People turnaround here or continue on to Lake Wenatchee. This is the busiest pit stop as it not only sees all of the 50-mile riders, but also the 100-mile riders, twice! Normally bacon is handed out here, but unfortunately COVID ruins almost everything and we'll have to take this year off from that treat. Pop-up tent and other set up including bike rack and water manifold set up.

• Wayne
• Earl
• Joel
• Jackie
• Dan
• Mansour

Saturday, 7am to 2pm: Beaver Hill Water Stop. This is another water stop with water and limited food items, just before the windy descent into Plain.

• Rebecca
• Ruth
• Robin

Saturday, 7am to 1pm: Lake Wenatchee Pit Stop. This is the last pit stop and the furthest out. Riders here are normally given a special treat, but this year it will be pre-packaged items only. Similar to the Leavenworth Pit Stop, this is the turnaround for the 100 milers.

• Jim
• Carol
• Kathleen
• Sam

At each of the water stops and pit stops, volunteers will help coordinate or provide assistance for riders and give plenty of smiles and positive encouragement. Many of the riders come back year after year and we're happy they support us!

Saturday, 7am to 3pm: SAG Wagons. Throughout the race day, these folks will be driving the route and stopping to provide first aid or bike support for those in need. Trek has donated tubes and other supplies for rider support during the ride and will have a tech at the start to help make sure everyone gets off on the right...tire; thank you Trek! Ballard Ambulancehas donated the use of first aid kits as well for hopefully just minor issues. Thank you Ballard!

The origin of SAG wagon is a bit up for discussion. For bike rides it refers to Support And Gear or Support Aid Group. Its origin likely stems from wagons in World War I which went from trench to trench with Supply And Grub. It's really about making sure people don't end up stranded or injured without aid.

• PJ - Lake Wenatchee to Beaver Hill
• Bill - Wenatchee to Cashmere
• Taro - Cashmere to Leavenworth
• Alan - Leavenworth to Beaver Hill

Saturday, noon to 4pm: Route Pick-up. Support for the ride ends at 3pm so then it's about taking down each station and getting items back to the storage shed. Since the riders are out on the road in the morning, the crew can start picking up the early route before the ride support ends.

• PJ
• David
• Alan
• Kelly

Saturday, 4:30pm until ???: After Party. This year we'll gather at Rectors to wind down and enjoy a meal together. Bring your own beverage and (if you have time) side dish or dessert to share. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided. Also, their pool is heated so bring your family and your swimsuit. Yes, we're talking to you PJ, we don't want a repeat of the after ride party from 2003. See you then!