Mike Murray
Pat Sagers [mailto:pat_s-@orcom.com] asks WRT feed zone:
"1) Can personal bottles be handed out by a team volunteer?"
Generally this is ALL that is done in the feed zone, i.e. there is usually
not someone there to hand you a bottle unless you have arranged for them to
be there. Most races do not have volunteers to hand up "neutral" bottles,
although some do.
"2) Can food be handed out by the same team volunteer?"
Yes, and generally this is done.
"3) Is it a good location to drop off pockets filled with used food/goo
wrappers?"
Marginally. It is certainly better than pitching it off in a random
location. On the other hand, unless your feeder picks up your stuff it is
still littered trash. A rider could still receive a penalty for littering.
It is more likely that someone will clean up the feed zone compared to the
road side the entire length of a course but certainly it is not a done deal.
It is better to just keep that stuff in your pocket. After all, it is not
like it is huge or weighs a lot.
"4) Does the group generally slow down so that there is not a worry about
trying to do everything in a huge rush?"
Sometimes, but not always. Brad suggested that it is a good place to
attack. This is true but it is considered bad form. That doesn't mean it
doesn't happen. Generally the feed zone will be located on an uphill which
means the riders will be moving slower. It is best if it is not a long or
steep uphill because those are more tactically important locations and it
makes feed zone attacks more likely.
A couple other items about feed zones:
- NEVER feed from the left side of the road. NEVER EVER.
- It is prohibited to feed any area outside of a designated feed zone.
Penalties may be assessed for doing this.
- For some races feeding may only be done during certain laps.
- Unless you are feeding only bottles, mussette bags work a whole lot
better.
Mike Murray