Can anyone tell me if the designated cheering stations are different then the rest stops along the way (where we can fill up drinks, etc)? If not, will the rest stops be outlined on the route map that we are receiving tomorrow?
Yeah - they are different. The cheering stations will be people along the side of the road and it will feel awesome to ride through as they are cheering. The rest stops will be away from the crowds and you will not be able to miss them. In the past you have been able to pick up a route book on Saturday that marks everything out but you will really not need it. There will be tonnes of bikes stopped at the rest stops and lots of signage.
Just be careful in both the cheering area and rest stops - ppl tend to stop quickly, quite often in front of you, so make sure you are paying attention and slowing down a bit.
Last year there were 4 rest points on the first day, but I can only recall 3 on the second.
One will provide a lunch - that was at the 70km mark on day 1 and the 50km stop on day 2. All provide snacks, water, gatorade, medical aid.
It doesn't always pay to be early at the lunch stops. On day 1 the chicken wraps were still frozen at 11:30am. On Day 2, with the earlier spot the the trucks were just arriving between 9:30 and 10. Still, there is enough other food available to see you through.
-- Edited by SilverFox on Friday 11th of June 2010 07:52:42 PM
Yeah, I remember those frozen chicken wraps and I was hungry then too by the time I got around the lunch pit stop. I hope they'll do better timing for this year. I can understand they're keeping it chilled as long as possible especially for this weekend's ride when it'll be hot and humid but it really should've been defrosted in time for the lunch crowd.
