12 is the magic number

Whether we are rookies or veterans of RAAM, preparing months in advance of our next adventure is mandatory. No one knows it like Lee Mitchell, who has crewed or ridden 24 RAAMs before this year.

He started by getting the racers to find volunteers for the crew during the month of October, 2010. It must have been an easy step this year because within two weeks Lee was begging the racers to stop finding crew!

Lee explained that we should have 12 crew and three vehicles (an RV and two follow vans). The cost estimate is about $35,000. Considering the costs and space available for a safe 4-person team race across the country, 12 on the crew is the magic number.

Reason #1: Sleep shifts

Many of the accidents during RAAM are caused by sleep-deprived crew trying to drive 14 feet behind a racer.

The racers will be somewhat sleep-deprived, but it is not the time or place for crew to join in the sleep-deprivation fun. Thus, at any one time, the RV will be carrying a driver and a navigator, one food prep crew, two sleeping crew in the top bunk over the cab, two sleeping crew in the breakdown sofa in the middle, and two sleeping racers in the back bedroom. The sleeping shifts for the crew will be 8AM-4PM, 4PM-midnight, and midnight-8AM. Of course, there are no "off" shifts.

Reason #2: Rotating.

We have two red follow vans, called "California BikeVan" and "Nevada BikeVan" (see picture.) A pair of racers will be assigned to one of the two vans for the entire race. This is partly so the racers don't need to worry about whether something they want is in the other van. A racer never knows when she will need her personal shoe covers, arm warmers, raincoat, clean pair of shorts, or whatever. Furthermore, making space for all four racers' needs in both vans is not as easy as just putting two racers' gear in each van.

We will have two crew in each van. Each racer of a riding pair will be taken care of and followed by separate vans. They will change racers and vans at the same time about every 40-60 minutes for four hours. Meanwhile the other pair of racers will be showering, eating, and sleeping in the RV. We change the RV pair for the on-the-road pair every four hours. Each racer should get 2 to 2 1/2 hours sleep each time they rest in the RV. This will be about 7 hours total per 24 hours. With efficient exchanges, there will always be at least one racer riding her bicycle eastward.

Reason #3: The 8th awake crew is a backup, if needed.

We want a driver and a navigator in each vehicle and the food prep person in the RV (very busy job). The 8th crew can be in any vehicle at any time, but is expected to do regular crew duties, if needed.

Reason #4: The team wants somebody to focus on recording memories.

It is very difficult to juggle the camera, camcorder, and notebook while doing the high priority duties such as fixing bikes, prepping food, driving, or navigating.

We will need to be reminded of the recording crewperson's job.

That person's duties are to record as much as possible what is happening to the whole team. If needed, the recording crew member would jump into action and do whatever is needed to expedite the race. Then once back home, that person will spend hours arranging the tape/DVD for all to treasure.