EVENTS
The Role of the HotChillee Ride Captains
- Nov 2020
As a rider on a Hotchillee event, you’ll always be riding in a peloton or group under some rare and elite conditions with motorcycle outriders, mechanical support and lead vehicles.
The Hotchillee Ride Captains cycle within the groups to help in the smooth running of the event and rider experience by respecting and adhering to the event rules, the prevailing local road rules or highway code and to communicate instructions to the peloton. The Ride Captains are the conduit between the race support network of race commissar, motorbikes, doctors and mechanical support and you, the rider.
What do the Ride Captains do?
Most obviously the Ride Captains cycle in the peloton keeping an eye on the pace and the form of the group. Our events have been granted the privilege to ride in peloton formation with the restriction that it is indeed a peloton (i.e. that we stay together). For this reason the Ride Captains may, at times, slow the front of the group to tighten up the rear.
They are constantly watching the peloton to ensure no riders go missing (off the back or the front) and that you do not stray into danger (i.e. primarily this means “the wrong side of the road”) and where sensibility dictates they will arbitrate rider changes between groups.
The Hotchillee Ride Captains also provide moral support (and sometimes physical in the form of a gentle push!) to riders taking on the challenges of a lifetime to make sure that everyone gets the maximum enjoyment out of finishing an event.
How do they do their job?
The Ride Captains will brief their groups before setting off for each stage. This means in the morning, just after the lunch stop and at any other time a significant stop has been made. They have radios and are in contact with the support vehicles and each other. They will case the peloton (ride up and back and up and back and up and back and ….. you get the picture) to make sure everyone has a smile on their face and is in good spirits. If you have any questions particularly about group riding etiquette or other soft “rules”, then just ask and they will be more than happy to help out.
What else can I expect from the Hotchillee Ride Captain Squad?
The Ride Captains have lots of Hotchillee event experience and proper race experience. Many of the Ride Captains have previously competed in criterium and road racing, cyclocross, Ironman and other triathlons, mountain bike races and even track.
With this wealth of “cycling” experience the Ride Captains are a great source of knowledge and if you have any questions ranging from training, event preparation, nutrition, cycling etiquette or just how to look good riding a bike just ask!
The Hotchillee Ride Captains also host a series of virtual rides and events, and will go back to hosting monthly road and gravel rides once Covid-19 restrictions allow.
