Sunday, June 13, 2010

How it Works

So how does a team of eight riders get all the way across the country while giving themselves enough time to rest and eat? Of course the terms "rest" and "eat" are relative. Every team has a different strategy; this is how Team ViaSat does it.

Team ViaSat splits into four cars with two riders and one driver in each car. Each car takes a five-hour shift on the course while the other cars drive ahead to eat, sleep, etc. The car that is on the course has two riders that take turns sprinting three- to six-mile segments. When these guys are riding, they are giving it everything they've got.

Here are the groups of two (and their drivers)...I listed them in the order that they rotate:

Jeremy and Andrew (with Ed Danly driving)
Ryan and Tobias (with Dave Casterton driving)
Larry and Kevin (with Austin Bice driving)
Brad and John (with Matt Butler driving)

Additionally, there are "follow" vehicles that take turns helping out with the crew that is racing. They literally follow the rider to make sure he doesn't run into any trouble. At night, the follow vehicle must keep the rider in their headlights. During the day, the follow vehicle is not required to follow right behind the rider unless he deems the rider is in an unsafe situation. The follow vehicles have their own rotation similar to the rotation of the rider vehicles.


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About Me

An eight-person cycling team competing in the Race Across America. Team departs June 12, 2010 from Oceanside, California.

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