Dec 17, 2025
Crew or no Crew Support Pro’s and Con’s (2of 2) When racing or riding without crew it requires good planning from the cyclist to see where to refill the bottles and how to get proper nutrition’s. Water can be found at stores and gas stations easy. Nutrition supply (carbs, vitamin and minerals) is tricky and means you must use what’s available if you are without crew support. Plus … you must decide how often and how much you want to use. That’s for fluids and nutrition. That part easy causes a lack of fluids and nutrition because it is a compromise that will never be perfect. And that’s not only in a race. It’s critical to train the situations making it often a compromise in training too. Training it helps making decisions for the races. I know my approach may not be good for everyone and therefore I often do not explain publicly what I use and how often I refill my supply, but I am ok sharing information in personal discussions. It’s something everyone must test and learn herself/himself. In addition, not having the support car at night or in foggy situations slows you down because the lights we use are not as bright as car lights behind us. Now you must carry enough lights and batteries to survive the full race distance. That’s ok for one day but getting into multiple days it’s tough to plan for it and stay safe. I learned the lack of safety by not using crew support in two races. The approach must be a bit different and that was an interesting learning experience for me in 2025. I tested lots of different options for batteries, lights, hydration and nutrition during training rides and in some cases during races in 2025. So this year was an interesting year of learning and finding new approaches for racing and riding. Lesson learned comparing 2023/24 seasons with support crew and now 2025 without support is that the average speed difference is at least about 1.5-2 mph (2.5-3.5 km/h) at least even in 12/24/48 hour races on repetitive routes. Funny situations had been a few scenarios with flat tires. No issue and quick fix with crew while without crew I decided a few times to keep racing with flat tire for up to 11 miles (Sebring 24 hours 3 miles and Florida500 11 miles to the finish line). Not a preferred solution but it’s a compromise when doing everything alone. So, what might be the reason for me to go without crew support? The benefit of self-support is cost … If you cannot find a sponsor who covers most if not all crew cost than it’s a big cost savings factor. Plus since I am no pro cyclist and I do not see myself as a top racer neither I want to be able to get to end of a race without support and admitting it’s a cool feeling finishing some of those races.
Dec 16, 2025
Crew or no Crew Support Pro’s and Con’s (1of 2) As many may have noticed I have been riding with zero crew support all 2025 race season. All training and racing no more support mainly started as cost savings. I had the luxury and paid for crew support most races in 2023 and 2024 on the ultra-distance racing. Before Texas Longhorn500 race in 2023 I had no idea how to ride or race with a support crew. Once I noticed it, I was impressed since a support crew is improving average speed on a race or for a ride a lot. Benefits having a crew are very simple. You automatically get drinking supply and nutrition handed without stopping and trying to find the stuff yourself. Because no stop required it safes the power to accelerate and it’s saving the time of the stops. And reality is as racers we need to refill our drinking bottles on regular basis, and we need a minimum level of carbs. Crazy as it is ... with crew support it is possible to get nutrition ongoing and no lack of nutrition during complete ride or race. It’s truly comfortable to get a refill every 30-45 minutes. Specifically in hot temperatures that’s amazing since drinking consumption is very high. During daylight mostly the crew is leapfrogging around the racer. So, they can communicate with you and see what is needed in addition of the agreed supply. Also, they see how the cyclist is riding and can help directly either allowing for a rest stop or provide specific nutrition. Critical at night or with foggy sections the crew drives behind a cyclist. That increases safety because they protect the cyclist from traffic and they help with better lights. From the car headlights. In addition to food, drinking supply and protection the crew also has the option to either swap bicycles which is helpful when landscape changes drastically (from flat to steep climbing …). They also can charge and swap head or taillights as well as any external batteries. The level of comfort using crew support is amazing. To me the option having crew support is great and would be my preferred option. However, the downside of crew support is the cost. And without any financial support it will turn out very costly. Cost means all travel expenses such as flight, accommodation and food plus proper car for the crew. That cost must be paid by the cyclist or any support organization helping the cyclists financially.
Nov 30, 2025
Since I moved the 7 day distance record attempt due to medical advice I used the time over Thanksgiving week to ride a series of 8 centuries (total about 855 miles / 1375 km)... It's still below my target for the Thanksgiving week but was a good test to see how I would do. For safety reasons I did ride all on the Wahoo Kickr Shift trainer bike. Most who know me know I do not like riding on trainer bikes but it's my only option t stay ion shape. The first days did show I was in bad conditions and doctors have been correct with their advice. Towards the end I did improve and it felt a bit better. Still trying to find a good week that may include a holiday to take off for the 7 day attempt. Will decide within the next week when to do it and if I actually even still do that in December or if January - March would be the better option. For now I may have to focus 2 more weeks with either no road rides or only slow and easy riding on the road. All rides in Thanksgiving week have been scheduled after work and before family events on Thanksgiving weekend
Nov 19, 2025
Coach or no coach Crazy to see the year 2025 is quick coming to an end. So, some questions go through my mind. One is about coach or no coach when getting into ultra distance racing .... OK ... Question about benefits of using a coach is not only related to ultra distance it effects all cycling. As many know I am no very long into cycling however I decided in 2022 to first time start using a coach to get ready for RAAM Solo 2023. When picking a coach it’s not only a financial decision ... make sure that you get along ok with your coach since it will be important to follow proper instructions. After I had some bad experience in 2022 until mid 2023, I ask Giovanni Prosperi to help e getting ready for RAAM 2024 Solo. It was a great decision and Giovanni turned out to be a very good coach supporting me and my ultra distance racing very well. And yes, I did finish RAAM Solo plus having a few great results at end 2023 and all 2024 in ultra distance racing. I am happy Giovanni was my coach and highly recommend him in case you are looking for serious help to improve and reach your future cycling goals. Since early 2025 we do go our own ways which I believe is kind of normal after some time. At once I learned a lot and my personal attitude is to stay focused by myself, so I do not need the extra pushing from a coach. I use a lot of the strategies Giovanni applied to me and have a few variations related to my training simply be fun and mainly focused on my age. But key is fun at the moment, and my main goals are accomplished. So, do I have cycling goals left? Absolutely yes ... whomever followed my 2025 race season knows I stay still fully focused on my training and racing in ultra distance cycling world. Only difference to 2023-2024 is that I do it on a very slim budget and I try to focus on fun and enjoyment only. OK ... results I check after tracing and enjoy when not turns out to be ok. Even 2025 race season is almost over I do have plans for 2026 as well. At some point I may provide input to my 2026 race season. but I can guaranty it will be a heavy loaded race season again like 2025 was. Key for 2026 is to stay without new injuries and for sure no incidents in training or racing.
Nov 17, 2025
Ride? No - race against myself. … Yes race year 2025 is technically over and behind us but want to test myself a bit so I did a little bit of a self-supported race against myself to see where my limits might be even thats not fully possible. More as report day by day coming the next week but overall I pushed for my absolute limits related to handling sleep and freezing conditions. Overall kind of ok even some bystander’s at the end had been worried a bit too much (if I had seen it I would have don the same 😉) calling 911 and yep putting me in the hospital … no explaining helped. The ambulance and the people as well as hospital made clear I am staying there until things are sorted out 😮 Did a total of 1142 miles with over 30288 ft elevation gain in a bit over 4 days. Riding from Tallahassee FL to Raleigh NC and back to Tallahassee FL. It was fun doing it but weather was a major challenge. Partial due to rain and heavy thunderstorms with near lightning and no options of cover and last third with temperatures dropping actually into the 20th. Did it all completely self-supported only to add a bit to the challenge. No worries .. convinced doctors in the hospital but took me a while and made it back home safe as well. No misunderstaning … its only a 1142 mile event I have conpleted so far and for some most likely nothing but for an average cyclist as I see myself its a bigger deal rhan I normally try to do so I am proud of having it completed.
