** IMPORTANT: THIS RIDE IS NOT EASY. MAKE SURE YOU CAN DO IT. **
In years past, dozens of riders under-estimated the difficulty of this ride, and had to get driven home, adding an undue burden to the SAG service. SAG is not a limo service. It is there to help riders and keep people safe. Please make sure your fitness is appropriate. Remember, the ride is:
375 miles over 3 days, climbing over 23,000 feet of elevation.
These are long, hard days. The ride is awesome, but it's hard.
SAG Guidelines
What is a SAG?
SAG stands for “support and gear.” SAG’s role is to keep everyone safe, provide tools and bike support, and help shepherd the ride.
Note that it’s called “SAG” and not “Taxi Service.” The SAG team does not exist to pick up riders who don’t feel like climbing the next hill and drop them off at the top. SAG WILL pick up riders in the case of:
- Mechanical bike problem
- Injury
- Have to stop riding due to physical concerns or serious fatigue.
SAG Driving Guidelines
The best SAG volunteers also encourage riders and help instill a positive attitude, but the primary role is to maintain rider health and safety. A few simple guidelines will help the SAG team to aid, rather than hinder, rider safety.
1). Find a safe place to stop.
When a SAG stops for a “NON CRASH SITUATION (i.e. flat tire or to pick up a rider) it should make sure that it is safe. You want to avoid parking in the bike lane (space between the white line and the side of the pavement), which forces other passing cyclists into the road with vehicle traffic. Never stop a vehicle on a narrow shoulder, blocking the route for other riders. Instead, find a nearby driveway, cross street, parking lot or gravel patch that keeps the route clear. If possible, pull in behind the cyclist(s). A van behind the rider will block a potential re-end collision.
2). In Case of a Crash
a). Pull in behind the downed cyclist(s). If the cyclist is in the middle of the road, park the car behind the cyclist for their protection.
b). Turn on hazard lights.
c). If the downed cyclist is on the road, you should secure a safe area where you can treat the cyclist(s). Before approaching the downed cyclist, you should warn on-coming traffic by positioning other cyclists (if available), along with the safety triangles, 100 feet behind and in front of the downed cyclist(s).
d). If the cyclist is unconscious and not moving, call 911 immediately. Be prepared to provide the location of the crash site. If you are out of cell phone range, find a nearby house to make a land line call. You can also text other SAG drivers to let them know the location and severity of the crash.
· Do not try to move the downed cyclist out of concern of a spinal cord injury.
· If the injured cyclist is able to walk, have them sit on the side door of the van as opposed to the back of the van, if possible.
· Put on gloves before you treat a bleeding cyclist.
· Do not to use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on open wounds. Clean wounds with water, dry with gauze pads, apply first aid antibiotic, and cover with bandages.
· Do not let cyclists back on their bike if they have sustained a head injury (check for a cracked helmet), or are confused, disoriented, or shown signs of being in shock.
3). No Tailing
It is important for SAGs to avoid tailing the last rider on the route. Slow riders tend to feel self-conscious about their lack of speed, and can become upset when a SAG creeps up a hill behind them. Instead, find a place to pull over for five minutes while the rider goes ahead, catch up to the last rider, and repeat.
4). Judgement and Rules of the Road
Most importantly, use good judgement. Follow all rules of the road for vehicles. And support all cyclists following rules of the road as well. If riders are disobeying the rules – for example, riding two or more abreast, running red lights, etc. – please politely tell them!
5). Communicate with the other SAG Drivers
- Keep each other updated on the location of the first rider, last rider, and mid-pack riders.
- Notify other SAG drivers about any medical conditions