First PPA event, part 2.

[HeadDown]

Is there any sort of broom wagon arranged by PPA for their events? Or is a matter of getting your better half to come out and find you in the event of a mechanical. (Know I should be getting these answers from the PPA office but sometimes those aunties that answer the phone make me nervous…)

[Skubarra]

Yes there would be a sweeper (but sometimes it might still be quicker to phone your better half)

[DJR]

They always have sweeper vehicles with bike racks or trailers to pick you and your bike up if needed. You might have to wait a bit because they hang at the back of the field.

 

They also have medical help and an ambulance on the route, which hopefully you will never need.

 

Each start group has a PPA Marshal wearing a "marshal" shirt that is meant to help anyone in trouble or just needing information.

 

 

There are also volunteer motorbike marshals that patrol the route and is mostly meant to keep people from doing stupid things like crossing the barrier line into the face of oncoming traffic.

 

Sometimes they have "help" vehicles patrolling the route that will stop and offer help for mechanicals. We were lucky enough that one of those helped us out with a floor pump to get going quickly on Sunday. However, you should be prepared with at least a spare tube, pump and a multi-tool and know how to help yourself.

 

There will always be regular water points throughout the route. If you have an issue and cannot finish, try get to one of these and wait for the sweepers. It is a lot less lonely than somewhere on a quiet hill.

 

At every main intersection there is a marshal with a red flag. Waiting with one of these is also a good idea if you cannot continue.

 

On your race number, there is an emergency tel.no. printed. Put it in your phone before the race. You never know when you will need it to summon help for yourself or a friend. Don't use this for minor things!

 

What am I forgetting?