The Tales from the other side of the fence: Bike racer turned Supporter.
Support is key to the success of all athletes. The supporter has a tough task of looking after the needs of the riders. Some points it can be very frustrating and at other times exhilarating. The preparation for the supporter varies from the tasks of the athlete but the success of the riders weighs down on the delivery of the supporter.
My task over the next week is to donate my time to the needs and wants of Derek, Amanda and Emily. I accepted the challenge with open arms and an open mind. I am an elite athlete but the many long hours I log on the bike won’t even compare to the strain that is going to be endured to my body after a day of helping. Riding does not prepare you physically to be ready to lug bottles, spare parts and extra clothing from point to point over the day.
The morning consists of making sure you pack down as many calories as you possibly can, not that far off from a racer. The only difference is the form of the calories comes in many different varieties. Racer: CARBS CARBS CARBS, while the supporter eats anything that doesn’t talk back. The next step is to make sure you have all the instructions/wishes from the riders. These can range from where they want to meet you to what bottles they want on the third lap. Although it sounds simple the complexity of it is tested as the day goes on. Believe me STRESSFUL! Pack the car and Job #4 is done, only 689 to go!
Race site brings the added stress of pre-race jitters. Even the best-trained athlete’s get caught up in the “moment.” As they chirp orders at you, “I want you to take this from me at the start line,” “you have my bottles?” and the classic “what pressure are in my tires?” Athletes have a million things going through their heads, when really the mind should be worried about the task of conquering the race. The quickly forget that job of the supporter is to make sure that everything is done and done properly. The trust needs to be built and maintained, tough but defiantly attainable!
As you sit and wait for the gun to sound, the silence is disturbing. The calm before the storm, you can taste the anticipation in the air, it is thick and tense. The only break you have is when the starter says, “15 seconds.” The 15 seconds is your moment of grace, where you think, “wow it is a beautiful,” day or “hmmm I am hungry.” Bamm goes the gun, your signal to move like hell to the feed zone/tech zone. Usually accompanying you is a 40lb backpack, a cooler and spare wheels. Not the easiest things to maneuver through crowds of spectators.
The main job of the day is to feed, feed and feed the riders some more, which on most days is a breeze. World Cup feed zone is a total different story. I think the best word to describe it is INTENSE. Not only do you have to make sure you don’t mess up the feeds to the riders, you have to fight off all the other feeders to get the prime section. It reminds me of being at the bar… and yes there are drunken people around. The only difference is your girlfriend takes the spot of a rider and if another feeder bumps them or looks at them weird you get pissed.
Once that job is complete you quickly switch from bottle deliverer to the caregiver. If it is a good day and everything went well the rider is chipper and will tell you about every little detail of how they battled. If it is a bad day you all of sudden obtain your psychology degree and you help massage the bad and ugly in to something good. The positives sometimes feel like your pulling teeth but it is your job to do your best to cradle the rider in to putting it behind them and focusing on the future. Not my cup of tea, I am more the tough love type, “walk it off!”
You would think your day is done but it isn’t! You will be up to the late hours of the night getting things ready for the next day. Clean the bottles; wash the bikes and chitchat about the drama of the race day.
Would I trade my bike in for this…? Never!!! I would way rather have my battles on the racecourse then from the sidelines
