Sub-5 Century - Want to race some bicycles?

[HankB]

Below is an article I'm putting in our club newsletter, but I hope to find 16 riders to lead teams and I doubt I'll fill that bill through the club (Chicago Region BMW Owners.) Perhaps some of the riders here would be interested in helping. Also if you are aware of other clubs I can reach out to, please don;t hesitate to let me know!

thanks,
hank

I’m only kidding about racing the bicycles. Besides, you have an unfair advantage with anything bigger than the smallest scooter when competing against a human powered vehicle. Rather, this would be a chance to lead some fast bicyclists.

A century is a 100 mile bicycle ride. The Sub-5 in the name of this one means that the century must be completed in under 5 hours. That translates to over 20 mph which is a speed that requires a relatively well trained athlete. This is not the kind of speed that Tour de France competitors manage, but is is faster than any but perhaps a select few in our club could muster.

The Sub-5 Century is completed by organized teams. One way to maintain that 20+ mph pace is to work with others and that is how entrants sign up for this event. They limit the entrants to 16 teams and each team requires a motorcycle escort. That is where we come in. I have been asked to recruit and organize motorcycle escorts to support this event. A motorcycle escort will lead each team along the course and control where faster teams pass slower teams. Since the roads on which the event is held are open to traffic, the motorcycles will also help to provide some additional visibility for the bicyclists.

The purpose for this event is to raise funds for Parkinson’s research, so anyone participating will be helping to fight that disease. For more information on the race, please see their web site at http://www.sub5century.org/. The benefit to the motorcyclist is mostly to support a worthy cause. The organizers do plan a nice dinner get together ahead of the event and the motorcyclists will probably receive a hi-viz vest. If you have any questions about the event or the motorcyclist’ participation, please contact me. If you know of anyone outside the Chicago region who might be interested, please pass this information along.

[jadziadax8]

You have my interest, sir.  My grandpa died of Parkinson's.  I don't think I could so the sub-5 century (unless you want to let me draft the whole time ).  I could be convinced to do the rec loops.  50 miles is about my limit.

[HankB]

Thanks!

Just to be clear, I'm looking for motorcycles to escort the bikes. I hope I have your interest for that.

many thanks,
hank

[jadziadax8]

Thanks!

Just to be clear, I'm looking for motorcycles to escort the bikes. I hope I have your interest for that.

many thanks,
hank

I totally misread that.

[06_wi_vfr]

Hank - I would lead a group. My ex-wife's brother is dealing with Parkinson's with grace and dignity.  He is a great, great man. Just let me know when...

[HankB]

Hank - I would lead a group. My ex-wife's brother is dealing with Parkinson's with grace and dignity.  He is a great, great man. Just let me know when...

Thank you. The date of the event is Sunday September 9 and there will be a session around the end of August to review the route.

[jadziadax8]

You don't happen to know what time the ride starts, do you?  The website doesn't say.

[HankB]

You don't happen to know what time the ride starts, do you?  The website doesn't say.

Apologies for the delay in responding. I asked but the answer was in terms of working I think:

Code:

We’ll have volunteers begin setting up beginning at 5am on Sunday 9/9.
It would be good to have your volunteers arrive at 6:30am to meet with you and Steve Overton – review of duties.
We will start staging teams at 7:15am.
The first team will start promptly at 7:30am followed in 5 minute increments by successive teams.
The event should conclude around 1:30pm with post-ride activities lasting to 2:00pm or so.
We’ll have everything cleaned up and gone by 3pm.