Desparado Dual: A Disappointing Experience
The scenery was beautiful for the most part. So was the weather, except the last 30 miles when there was a stiff head wind. But the overall experience was downright poor. Why? See my letter to the organizers below. I will post their reply if and when I get one.
Hello,
My name is Sanjay Velamparambil and I participated in the 2010 Desperado Dual (Century option).
My experience in this event was dismal, to say the least. There are several reasons for this, which I will discuss below. The purpose of this mail is to make you aware of my disappointment with the way the event was conducted with the hope that you will take appropriate measures to improve it in the future.
1. Number of rest stops: I am a recreational rider who participates in these events for fitness and enjoyment. At my level, I need breaks roughly one hour apart. Having just three rest stops is woefully inadequate. I am sure that I am not the only one with this need. It would be far better if there were stops for every 20 miles or so. Granted, the second rest stop was after a predominantly downhill leg, so it could be a little farther placed.
2. Food supplies at rest stops: In your website, it is claimed “Fully stocked rest stops, a great lunch, post ride dinner and more!” This is an unrealistically gross exaggeration. Rest stop 1 was alright with sufficient food and water. However, Rest Stop 2 was poorly stocked. It had nothing more than dry Nature Valley bars and some pretzels. Considering the fact that this was after 57 miles, this is the one that should have been well stocked. Instead it was the worst. Some bananas and fruits would have added a greater value to this stop.
3. Section on US89: Considering the geography, it is known that there will always be strong south winds. The effect of these winds is particularly severe in the section from Circleville to UT-20 junction. Average recreational riders are reduced to moving about 10-13mph in this section. Thus, it requires approximately 2.5 to 3hours to reach Panguitch from Rest Stop 3. Given the fact that a rider typically drinks approximately one bottle (21oz) of liquid per hour, it is practically impossible for someone like me to ride the last section without running out of water with two water bottles. In fact, I did and had to depend on the kindness of a fellow rider’s father, who was giving a personal sag, to get some water and finish the ride. This is completely unacceptable. If there was a rest stop or, at least, a water station between Rest Stop 3 and the Finish, this wouldn’t have occurred. This is especially important since there are no places, not even a gas station, to refill the bottles on US-89.
This is disgraceful.
4. Sag/support vehicles: I saw only one sag vehicle that had clear sign indicating the same. This was before reaching Circleville. On US-89, I never saw this vehicle again, to flag down and ask for water. It would go a long way if the sag wagons were well marked. This is a detail that is very important on US-89 where the traffic is fast and fairly heavy.
I have participated in many organized rides, including some multi-day ones. So far, this has been my worst experience. I will not recommend this ride to any of my biking friends until these issues are satisfactorily addressed.
Sincerely,
Sanjay Velamparambil
PS: I will be posting this letter to my blog and also any reply that I would receive from you.
August 27th, 2010 at 8:03 am
The first part of the ride was beautiful. I agree that the rest stops could be better stocked, especially the last few. There is a definite need for an extra stop about 15-20 miles from the finish. Luckily my wife was there to provide extra support and some water. Otherwise who knows what would have happened. The 89 was a bit hairy and I saw some close calls with cars coming in close contact with myself and riders ahead of me. I’m not sure of the possibility of another route but if it was an option I would welcome it. I would pay the extra money needed for better support/better stocked aid stations.
August 28th, 2010 at 2:33 am
Thanks for the comments. I don’t think one can avoid US-89. But there is one thing the riders can do: ride in single file. I have seen groups riding side-by-side on a few occasions on 89.
A possibility is to reverse the direction: if we do that, then the we would ride 89 in the early morning when there is not a lot of traffic. It may increase the climbing distance a little more , but not the total ascent.