Being part of the race crew is an interesting and fun experience, to be sure. This is both Bert’s and my first time crewing for a cycling race, and both of us were commenting earlier this morning that if not for Justin, we’d have no idea what we were doing or how this was all supposed to work. We’re learning by doing, which is the best way to learn just about anything, but with Justin’s help, the process is quicker and easier.

At first glance, it seems like an easy task. We sit in the climate-controlled van, exchanging stories, sharing some laughs, and stopping occasionally to hand off a refilled water bottle or provide moral support. However, there are rules the crews have to follow, and our time in the van isn’t all fun and games.

During this stage of the race, and up until we either reach Heppner or 7:30pm, we are providing “leapfrog” support. It works a lot like it sounds; the van drives up ahead a ways, finds a place to pull off into the shoulder and waits for its rider to pass. Any necessary handoffs are made and the rider goes up ahead a few miles. Eventually, the van takes off down the road and speeds past its rider, and the process repeats.

The times at which the van is stopped are extremely useful for making alterations or adjustments to the rider’s equipment, and for reviewing the route map and determining the upcoming navigation. As the riders move forward, the van essentially serves as a mobile waypoint, directing them at turns, informing them of current mileage and alerting them to information about the upcoming stretch of road.

Later tonight, from 7:30pm until 6am, the support vans are in a mandatory follow or pacing mode. At this point in the race, vans are required to remain directly behind their rider, lighting their way during the night and available at practically an arm’s reach for any needs the rider should have. Up until now, handoffs have only been allowed to be made by crew members on foot, but as of now they are allowed to be made directly from the van as it moves along the road.

After 6am tomorrow, the van has the option of returning to leapfrog support, or remaining in pacing mode up until 7:30pm. During the daytime, the proper mode of van support is at the discretion of the crew chief.

Our role as David’s crew is to support him, which means that we are crucial to his completion of the race. Not only are we restocking his food and water and making repairs to his bikes, we’re monitoring his power output during the ride to determine how he’s performing against our projections. This will inform us on whether we need to make adjustments to his pacing, his nutrition schedule, or any other aspect of his strategy.

Of course, as much business as there is to take care of, there’s plenty of time for exchanging anecdotes, comparing personal gadgets, and getting all manner of interesting training tips and tidbits from Justin. The guy is a veritable font of information, and the nuances of routine management he has stored in his brain are not just impressive, but vitally important for keeping David’s performance at a peak level throughout the race’s duration.