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Doug Huffman
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Posted: Fri Jul 6th, 2007 09:23 pm |
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Re 'signage,' on the road with non-permanent paint attracts fewer vandals. Put the marks where the motor traffic won't rub them out and where the timid are most likely to see them.
The gold standard should be three, a prepare, an execute and a confirm.
The prep must be far enough in advance of, for instance, a left turn across lanes/heavy traffic, to allow proper lane positioning - VC style. Gutter huggers don't mind pedestrian lefts.
The execute is or should be pretty obvious.
Confirmation is great for confidence, should be as far from the turn as was the prep. "Darn it, Martha! I was following that guy, did you see the road mark? ... Oh, there it is, wheew."
Edit: Right on re zipperheads!
Last edited on Fri Jul 6th, 2007 09:25 pm by Doug Huffman
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Dave
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Posted: Fri Jul 6th, 2007 08:05 pm |
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I'll give it a nine, first year went well. I only had once instance of not finding correct route markings and that was in Baraboo, there was a bunch of people that had the same problem.
After about 4 or 5 Grabaawrs, 16 Sagbraws, my only wish is they wouldn't serve breakfast until after the 6:00 AM "lights on" - That just encourages the zipperheads (who wake in the dark to operate the zippers on sleeping bags, duffels, tents and who knows what else). A lot of us get us early to go to work; it's nice to sleep in a little bit on vacation. Besides, all you have to do is ride your bike, what's the rush ?
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norbikes
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| Location: | Mt. Vernon, IA |
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Posted: Thu Jul 5th, 2007 02:46 pm |
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shower truck.....? what shower truck?! I thot showers were adequate or better---only one overnite lacked hot water. The trick, guys, is to ride hard & get in early while there's plenty of hot water.....!
Re. signage, I thot it lacking at times, so I began carrying my cue sheet (!!) with me. I really think an arrow sign after a turn as well as before would be very helpful---as a confirmation, say, of the change in direction. I was never in such a hurry that I couldn't stop & consult my cue sheet if in doubt.
Great roads, great wx, great group! 8++ imho.
see yas next yr!
Nor in Iowa
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JoeMarty
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| Location: | Macon, Missouri USA |
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Posted: Thu Jul 5th, 2007 03:42 am |
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| Bikerbob, I'm sure everyone appreciates your response to the shower truck issue, but we hope you are reading the other comments as well. We all have ideas and look forward to the evaluation survey.
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bikereric
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Posted: Wed Jul 4th, 2007 11:13 pm |
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Happy July 4th and thanks for all your comments--
To the point about the shower trucks, we made an honest effort to try and obtain a shower truck for this years tour. But at the last minute (last spring) there was a complication in obtaining it. Given the cold showers at some of this years overnight schools we are not happy with the shower situation.
The first question we ask anyr potential overnight location is, "do you have hot water?" But the schools never know there is a hot water problem until we show up. It seems the kids nowadays don't shower after gym class and there is no need at anytime during the school year for 800 warm showers in a 5 hour period of time. Until we arrive in June.
This year we seemed to have more hot water in the men's than the women's for whatever reason at some of the schools. Because of this we had to set up a rotation schedule to share the hot water. We still think the schools in Wisconsin are the best anywhere.
We think that obtaining a shower truck next year to supplement the school showers is a solution, but, there is an added cost involved in renting a shower truck.
So we'll let you decide. We'll be adding a shower truck question to the Rider Evaluation due out soon. If there is enough support for the increased cost of the shower truck we will work to secure one.
This was our first year and we hopefully made some improvements but we also made some mistakes. We'll work to keep the good and improve on the bad.
Hope you had a good tour and we'll look for you next year.
Happy cycling,
biker "Eric" bob
Denis wrote: I would agree with the route marking comments -- put the arrow before the intersection not after, evern if you are going straight through. My comment however is about the truck showers. It was way too late when it was announced that truck showers were a no go. The cost of this benefit was built into the fee, but the benefit was not there. Folks, this was known months ago not just late spring. This smells like a bait and switch, but at a minimum just very poor organization. This to me, proper showers, are one of the major positive features of the service provided. Otherwise a great ride and I'm sure much was learned during the first year of taking the rides over.
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Denis
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Posted: Wed Jul 4th, 2007 03:32 pm |
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| I would agree with the route marking comments -- put the arrow before the intersection not after, evern if you are going straight through. My comment however is about the truck showers. It was way too late when it was announced that truck showers were a no go. The cost of this benefit was built into the fee, but the benefit was not there. Folks, this was known months ago not just late spring. This smells like a bait and switch, but at a minimum just very poor organization. This to me, proper showers, are one of the major positive features of the service provided. Otherwise a great ride and I'm sure much was learned during the first year of taking the rides over.
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BigCatTom
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Posted: Wed Jul 4th, 2007 02:29 pm |
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Sorry, wrong Tom. I camped out every night. I ride a Gunnar and have a glow in the dark whale on my helmet plus a killer whale warning horn.
It was a great ride with potential to become an exceptionally great ride.
Tom
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bluesfan
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Posted: Wed Jul 4th, 2007 04:12 am |
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I would also rate it an 8. I thought the route was outstanding, the riders were a great bunch of people, the town's people went out of their way to welcome the riders, and the weather was perfect. I, like others have noted, was totally impressed with the excellent job that Megan and the summer help did.
I do think that the route marking could use some improvement.
What a great week it was!!!
Tom - it was nice meeting you. You and I met the night you had your cot set up on the stage at one of the schools. At least I think you are the same Tom. I was riding the Bacchetta Giro that I had just bought; my wife was the yoga instructor.
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jbikecrazy
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Posted: Tue Jul 3rd, 2007 10:45 pm |
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| thanks for the reply. hope more will resond.
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JoeMarty
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Posted: Tue Jul 3rd, 2007 02:48 am |
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I would rate it a strong 8 as well. The weather was about perfect, except the heat and strong south wind on Monday and Tuesday. But there was no rain and you expect to ride in the rain one or two days.
The new owners had a shaky start on Saturday a.m. with the registration and bus departure. They need to be there by 5:30, organized, prepared and ready, with the first bus on the road by 8:00 or before. I think they understand that now and it won't be an issue next year.
The road signage was an issue also. They weren't quite as visible as one would like, and frequently weren't in locations where they were needed. I much prefer the arrows on the road. But here again, I think that can and will improve. In that regard, I am convinced that Eric & Kathy want to put on a first class ride and were and are listening to the suggestions the riders make.
On the plus side, unloading the bikes on Saturday night is a no-brainer stroke of genius. It is so much better to have your bike and be able to leave Sunday a.m. when you desire. Also on the plus side, we had a shuttle in every town---not perfect shuttles---but we had a shuttle in every town. To paraphrase an old saying, you are entitled to a shuttle in every town, not a perfect shuttle in every town. In my previous GRABAAWRs, we did not have a shuttle in every town, i.e., Stevens Point. If they can pull off a shuttle in Stevens Point next year, they will achieve major brownie points.
In addition, the staff was great and the lunch upon arrival on the last day was much appreciated. On that subject, if the owners want a count for that lunch, they shouldn't rely on a fill in form to be turned in during the ride. That will never get it. Have people say yes or no when they register or when they check in for the ride.
A lot of comments but still a strong 8 overall.
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BigCatTom
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Posted: Mon Jul 2nd, 2007 09:10 pm |
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I would rate the ride at an 8 on an overall ride scale. The weather and scenery were about as good as you could hope for in late June. All of the ride volunteers and staff were friendly and helpful. The other riders were great to visit with and usually very helpful. I had a great week.
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jbikecrazy
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Posted: Sun Jul 1st, 2007 08:09 pm |
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I will give it a solid 9. Weather was about perfect, roads were good, scenery was awesome  . A big thanks to the baggage truck driver for all the work.
Let hear from you, how you woulds rate the ride.
The only thing I wished they had better signs for the century turn and may be a few more at intersections.
Again thanks for a great week.
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