ON THE ROAD SUPPORT

By now you have probably heard your Best Buddies Challenge Coach tell you that throughout the event that you will be “fully supported”, but what does this really mean?

Rest Stops
Our rest stops are located along the cycling course, roughly every 20 miles. At each rest stop you will find bathrooms, bike mechanics, medical support, and lots and lots of liquids and snacks including, water, sport drinks, sports bars and gels, bagels, pastries, sandwiches, fruits and more.

Support Vehicles and Staff
Police officers, course marshals, Best Buddies staff and volunteers will be available to assist you at the start, finish, rest stops and throughout the course. Additionally, at least 30 Ride Officials will be riding alongside participants on the course wearing bright labeled jerseys and will be able to provide immediate rider support on the road.

Domestique Program
The Best Buddies Challenge deploys several Domestiques on all of its courses to provide you with the best cycling experience possible. Riders selected to serve as Best Buddies Domestiques include former pro cyclists, national champions, world champions, and even Olympians. Wearing highly visual yellow, our Domestiques are there to help you with any problems you may have, be they mechanical, physical, or even spiritual! Each Domestique wears a bib that shows the estimated time of day they’ll finish, regardless of which distance or route you are riding. This ride leader will assist and instruct an organized group set to a specific pace. Domestiques will announce when their pace group is leaving every rest stop and ride in a fashion to keep groups together and safe. Riders may choose to ride in these groups as they see fit, but can also ride on their own.

Medical Assistance
There will be medical assistance throughout the entire course and at all rest stops. Look for an important email from your Coach containing important event logistics one week prior to the event. Among other things, this email will provide you with a phone number that should be used in the event of a medical situation during the event day.

SAG (Support and Gear) Team
Bringing up the rear on the cycling courses will be an expert cyclist, a bike tech support vehicle and a service truck. If for whatever reason you are not able to continue, the SAG Team will transport you and your bike to the Finish Line. SAG Vehicles will also be available along the route should riders have any technical difficulties. Have a bike problem? Bike Technicians will be at all start lines and rest stops, as well as the finish line.

Challenge Coaches, Cheering Sections and Community
We can’t wait to meet you and cheer you on as you complete your challenge. You will also see family, friends, and locals along the route and at the Finish Line cheering you on, and of course, you have the added support from fellow participants! We encourage you to take the time to enjoy the amenities provided to you and stop at the Rest Stops, greet fellow riders with a positive attitude and friendly smile, and remember that you are an important part of our Best Buddies Challenge community. Together we are truly changing lives so enjoy it!

Post-Event Celebration
Speaking of enjoying it don’t forget that part of being “fully supported” means that we pull out all the stops for your post event celebration. This includes finish line food, beverages and professional massages as well as gourmet food and lots of celebrities, buddy participants, and everyday heroes like YOU!

In gratitude of all that you have done we will do our best to fully support you from the moment you check in with us to the moment you head back home.