23 replies to this topic

[pnyxxpress]

The roads did suck. But in the their defense a rider told our group some of these roads weren't chip and sealed 3 days prior. Riding in the rain and not being able to see made everything that much worse.

After completeing the first lap the sun was coming out and I was ready for the second lap. To my disappointment they were clearing the course and shutting down early.

[Falasi4]

Any route on chip and seal roads (including the bottoms/levee) in the summer months may be re-chipped/sealed - no way to time/predict it.

[thefutureofamerica]

The route was definitely rough, but I'd say that just made it a different sort of fun. I might have brought my cross bike if I'd known the road conditions, but probably not.

[Eric Humes]

JerryW, on 08 August 2012 - 02:09 PM, said:

May I suggest changing the route some. There's some pretty rough roads on the current route. Maybe do something out on the flats like Levee Rd for part of the ride. The park in Old Valmeyer has water, bathrooms, a shelter all which would make for a good rest stop.

The original WolfRide route (back in the 90's) was down in the river bottoms and almost 100% flat.  We were forced out by Monroe County who decided that any group ride must apply for a permit and submit the SSN's and bicycle frame serial numbers of all participants in advance. Obviously, this would have been impossible. The solution was to start within the city limits of Columbia and exit those city limits on their Easter border entering St. Claire County (who welcomed us with open arms).  

Regarding the roads, anyone who routinely rides in IL knows chip n seal is hit or miss. They CnS'd one of our roads on the Thursday before the event. We've tried to call IDOT and ask for a schedule, but we're told a schedule doesn't exist. This is why we sweep and paint the day before. This year, we made two last minute changes to avoid additional gravely sections. We do the best we can.  One time a few years ago they closed a road completely the week before the event and we had to reroute cyclists through the quarry!    

Next year we plan to mark the route a little differently to make it more clear for those that never stop at rest stops and yet still accommodate those that do.

Thanks for any/all feedback you have!  We sincerely appreciate your continued participation each year!

Edited by Eric Humes, 11 August 2012 - 09:17 PM.

[Eric Humes]

pnyxxpress, on 09 August 2012 - 08:29 AM, said:

After completeing the first lap the sun was coming out and I was ready for the second lap. To my disappointment they were clearing the course and shutting down early.

I apologize that it appeared that we were shutting down early when in fact we were just enforcing the cut-off time.  Next year we will do a better job of announcing the cut-off time.  In the past, if a rider doesn't make it back to start/finish by 12:30 which gives them 4.5 hours to complete 56 miles (requiring a 12.5 mph average speed) then we do not let them continue.  This year we pushed it back to almost 1pm due to the rain-delayed start.  Despite this, we still had riders trickling in after 5:30pm.  There are two reasons for enforcing a cut-off time: 1. We are responsible, in part, for your safety and want to make sure that you are well cared for on the course with ample food, hydration, medical and mechanical resources.  These resources are carefully planned and tracked throughout the day so we have to set some sort of limits.  2. We have 50 volunteers that are dispersed out across the course that are told approximately when their shift is complete.  Our "sweep" vehicle is kept informed of where the last cyclists on the course are located so that they can follow along and shut down each rest stop as they go.  Without a cut-off time this would be nearly impossible.

We are quite the humble group of volunteers and are always open to new and better ideas on every aspect of this event.  I would encourage anyone with suggestions on how to improve the WolfRide to come forth and speak up... I promise that we will listen and take notes...  :-)  Thank you again for the comments and suggestions!  We do everything we can to strive for constant improvement!

[pnyxxpress]

I finished the first lap at 12:15. Just a couple of minutes after arriving at the start/finish a lady instructed someone to start clearing the route. I asked if they were clearing the course early and she told me yes due to weather. Sounds like maybe a break down in communication.

12.5 miles is a good leisure pace. But that is rolling nonstop for the entire length of  the course. On a hot day a rider that may only be able to manage this pace  might also require, lets say at least two five minute stops and will miss the cut off. Even if they make the cut off at 12:30 they would have to roll right on thru without taking a quick lunch break.


I was a bit disappointed to find out  you needed to be an elite rider to qualify for the raffled merchandise. Even though this has become a timed event. I was under the impression the number one reason for the event was to raise funds.  I would hope everyone worked equally hard to raise funds for your cause and should have been equally entitle to be eligible to win the merchandise.


My 2 cents. Thanks

[Eric Humes]

pnyxxpress, on 13 August 2012 - 07:14 AM, said:

I finished the first lap at 12:15. Just a couple of minutes after arriving at the start/finish a lady instructed someone to start clearing the route. I asked if they were clearing the course early and she told me yes due to weather. Sounds like maybe a break down in communication.

If this is what you were told, I sincerely apologize, as it was a mistake.  I assure you that any cut-off times will be more clearly communicated next year.

pnyxxpress, on 13 August 2012 - 07:14 AM, said:

12.5 miles is a good leisure pace. But that is rolling nonstop for the entire length of  the course. On a hot day a rider that may only be able to manage this pace  might also require, lets say at least two five minute stops and will miss the cut off. Even if they make the cut off at 12:30 they would have to roll right on thru without taking a quick lunch break.

Excellent point!  What would you suggest as an appropriate time for a cut-off?  We're open to any feedback which improves the event.

pnyxxpress, on 13 August 2012 - 07:14 AM, said:

I was a bit disappointed to find out  you needed to be an elite rider to qualify for the raffled merchandise. Even though this has become a timed event. I was under the impression the number one reason for the event was to raise funds.  I would hope everyone worked equally hard to raise funds for your cause and should have been equally entitle to be eligible to win the merchandise.

You are absolutely correct about our goals and priorities to raise funds for the Lupus Foundation.  This was brought up by another participant as well.  There are specific reasons that our sponsor wanted their wheelset to go to the group of more competitive cyclists, however next year we will be making accommodations to have additional prizes for top fund raisers in addition to the jersey and bibs.  We are challenged with making sure that the prizes have equal perceived value in the minds of most participants.  There were 4 people who rode the 56 miles on cruiser frames.  Would these participants (who were among the top fund raisers) perceive any value in a Ksyrium wheelset, or really even know what that is?  Its a tough call, I agree....  

Let me know if you have any ideas to throw out there for additional prizes.  When discussed among our committee we landed on bike shop gift certificates as being a more well-rounded prize that may work for our pool of top fund raisers.

Again, thank you for your valuable feedback!!

[JerryW]

Eric Humes, on 11 August 2012 - 09:01 PM, said:

Regarding the roads, anyone who routinely rides in IL knows chip n seal is hit or miss. They CnS'd one of our roads on the Thursday before the event. We've tried to call IDOT and ask for a schedule, but we're told a schedule doesn't exist. This is why we sweep and paint the day before. This year, we made two last minute changes to avoid additional gravely sections. We do the best we can.  One time a few years ago they closed a road completely the week before the event and we had to reroute cyclists through the quarry!    

I ride Illinois roads a lot. In fact I led an evening ride (BABES) out of Millstadt the Wednesday before the WolfRide. Park Rd was freshly graveled so I had to change the route. Part of Triple Lakes Rd was already graveled and saw the signs for the rest of it. There are so many town, city, township, county, and state roads that no one is really in charge overall of the roads. A few years ago there was a new road built and one completely rebuilt. The graveled both of them the next year.

I'm certain that you did the best possible under the circumstances!  I plan to ride again next year.

[pnyxxpress]

Eric Humes, on 21 August 2012 - 11:28 PM, said:

pnyxxpress, on 13 August 2012 - 07:14 AM, said:

I finished the first lap at 12:15. Just a couple of minutes after arriving at the start/finish a lady instructed someone to start clearing the route. I asked if they were clearing the course early and she told me yes due to weather. Sounds like maybe a break down in communication.

If this is what you were told, I sincerely apologize, as it was a mistake.  I assure you that any cut-off times will be more clearly communicated next year.

pnyxxpress, on 13 August 2012 - 07:14 AM, said:

12.5 miles is a good leisure pace. But that is rolling nonstop for the entire length of  the course. On a hot day a rider that may only be able to manage this pace  might also require, lets say at least two five minute stops and will miss the cut off. Even if they make the cut off at 12:30 they would have to roll right on thru without taking a quick lunch break.

Excellent point!  What would you suggest as an appropriate time for a cut-off?  We're open to any feedback which improves the event.

pnyxxpress, on 13 August 2012 - 07:14 AM, said:

I was a bit disappointed to find out  you needed to be an elite rider to qualify for the raffled merchandise. Even though this has become a timed event. I was under the impression the number one reason for the event was to raise funds.  I would hope everyone worked equally hard to raise funds for your cause and should have been equally entitle to be eligible to win the merchandise.

You are absolutely correct about our goals and priorities to raise funds for the Lupus Foundation.  This was brought up by another participant as well.  There are specific reasons that our sponsor wanted their wheelset to go to the group of more competitive cyclists, however next year we will be making accommodations to have additional prizes for top fund raisers in addition to the jersey and bibs.  We are challenged with making sure that the prizes have equal perceived value in the minds of most participants.  There were 4 people who rode the 56 miles on cruiser frames.  Would these participants (who were among the top fund raisers) perceive any value in a Ksyrium wheelset, or really even know what that is?  Its a tough call, I agree....  

Let me know if you have any ideas to throw out there for additional prizes.  When discussed among our committee we landed on bike shop gift certificates as being a more well-rounded prize that may work for our pool of top fund raisers.

Again, thank you for your valuable feedback!!

Starting the event an hour earlier might be the best approach. I believe most will enjoy an eariler start rather than an extended swelting July afternoon.

I do agree. A new set of wheels may not be of much interest to some riders but the majority would love to have them. Maybe a raffle where each person can choose the price they would like to raffle for.

Thanks