Downtime after a day's racing

So what's it like after finishing each race? For one, downtime is scarce. It took us a couple days to get everything down. The first order of business is to mark a tent. In the tent city location can be key to convenience as well as a good nights sleep. Second is getting your gear bag which the transport everyday to the next stop of the race. Like most everyone's bag mine is completely stuffed and probably weighs over 50 lbs. If you don't feel like hauling it to your tent, you can ask a local young volunteer to help. The quicker you do this the quicker you have access to your recovery drink. Of course i use Endurox R4.

Then its off to bike wash. Bikes work better clean. Again you can have a volunteer do it for you. From there you can go to the mechanics at Maxxis or Shimano for a repair or tune up. Luckily i've been able go directly to the bike check for safe keeping. Usually the secure area is a tennis court. Next its back to the tents to shed the dirty clothes and queue up for a shower. Then its off to eat. On the longer days this would usually be the first thing to do. The race village always has concessions.


Then its off to get a massage. The race has official massage therapists but Jim, JD, and I booked with a private outfit. Thanks to Jeanette and Amori we've been able to get on our bikes day after day.



Immediately after it is time for dinner which has varied each day but usually includes chicken, beef, potatoes, salad, and bread. Shortly after there's presentations, the course preview for the next day, and picture and video highlights from the day's stage.There's maybe an hour before bedtime. That's part of the reason why my blogging has either been short or delayed. The other has been cell coverage to send my posts.



At 0500 a loud fog horn sounds to wake everyone up in the morning. Again, you just have enough time to prepare for the day's stage and get to the startline. Breakfast is the first order to avoid long lines and wasting precious time. You also get first dibs on the more popular foods. Then its general race prep, packing up and dropping of your bag. Each day's race starts at 0700 however getting to the staging area by 0630 is key to starting at the front. The faster you finish the stage the smaller the lines and the more time there is for downtime.