As a support crew member you have the most important role in an adventure racing team. During the race your talents as a bike mechanic, podiatrist, navigator and motivational speaker will be exploited. You’ll probably eat and sleep less than the racers. You’ll have to turn a muddy patch on the side of the road into a cosy B&B.
All the preparation and planning are the ‘grind’ aspects of seconding. The transition area is where it all happens, the adrenalin flows and your heart goes out to your team each time they come-in and leave transition. When packing your vehicle, remember that what needs to come out first must be packed into the vehicle last.
You and your team have finally agreed on the menu – you’ve done the shopping – twice. The stuff they were supposed to organised didn’t happen, so you’ve had to go out again… and race day is just around the corner… A week before the race, while you’re making food, accumulating gear and packing crates, start catching-up on sleep.
Cooking for adventure racers is easy. If it grows or moves, they’ll probably eat it. If you haven’t yet gotten the hang of sculpting a tomato into a rose, this is the place for you. For single day events everything you need can be pre-made at home, those over one or two days require slightly less logistics.
Supporting starts long before the race day and finishes long after the race ends. You have to be everything to everyone in your team, at the same time. Your budget is guaranteed to be limited, so plan in advance so that you have enough time to source equipment from friends and relations.
