2021 CCC Recap
REGISTRATION:
Riders were from primarily from IL.
Total Ridership: 340 registered riders --- 103 Women, 137 Men
BREAKDOWN OF REGISTRATIONS BY DISTANCE
DEMOGRAPHICS – STATE
Racejoy App
RunSignUp (the on-line registration platform) offered a rider tracking app called RaceJoy which allowed riders to be followed on the course. Registrants or spectators could download the Racejob app and then enter bib number(s) to follow progress. This was offered by RunSignUp at no additional cost and does allow for tracking riders.
SPONSORS:
PACKET PICK-UP:
4:00-6:30pm at Scheels on Friday before the Saturday ride
VENUE:
Centennial Park was chosen as the venue for this year’s ride. The outdoor area provided ample room for social distancing, and the park’s location on Springfield’s west side allowed access to low trafficked roads with a finish on the Sangamon Valley Trail.
Two large tents were rented and set up in a grassy area on the south side of the park, along with bike racks. Other 10x10 tents and tables were donated by The Outlet.
Overflow parking was diverted across Wabash Avenue to the Bunn parking lot, and volunteers were recruited to help with directing riders to the park.
Port-a-potties were set-up in the Park. Generators were used to power electrical needs for the post-ride meal.
SBC volunteers did most of the setup in the morning prior to the event in the dark. This presented some unique challenges that were overcome.
The outdoor venue was great during COVID (possible problem if weather is problematic, but another tent could overcome that).
ROUTES:
During the week leading up to the CCC, a small army of volunteers spent hours marking every turn of each route. A combination of painted arrows on the road and above-ground signage assisted in wayfinding for the riders, and printed maps with turn-by-turn directions assisted riders who opted to navigate with traditional methods versus GPS.
Courses ranged from the 23-mile out-and-back family ride on the Sangamon Valley Trail to the 125 epic road ride that ventured out to the Revis Hill Nature Preserve east of Kilbourne. New for 2021 was the addition of a “groad” ride that took riders on gravel and dirt roads in the Ashland area. Staggered start times were implemented to prevent crowding on the trail and allow for social distancing.
Regardless of the distance, all riders finished on the Sangamon Valley Trail and were greeted back in the park by a symphony of cowbells and the opportunity to get their picture taken at the photo booth.
REST STOPS/FOOD:
Rest stops were set up in Berlin, Pleasant Plains, JEPC, Kilbourne, Petersburg and at the north end of the Sangamon Valley Trail. An unofficial aid station was established at Wallace’s Trading Post in Oakford, and groad riders availed themselves of the amenities at the Casey’s Convenience Store in Ashland.
The Berlin stop had a definite breakfast theme going, as Scott and Tracy Parker served as chef on a camp stove, whipping up more than 40 pounds of bacon. Other pre-packaged snacks and bottled water/Gatorade were available at the rest stops.
Post-ride meal was catered by Simple Taste Catering
We had some great volunteers with a lot of experience at the CCC. This really helped.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer recruitment was a challenge – particularly for staffing aid stations. Several issues likely contributed to this --- there are still lingering concerns about COVID, our most experienced volunteers have been doing this for a long time and could use a break, and we want our club members to ride the CCC.
SAG
SAGs Exhaustion: 4
SAGs Fall/Wreck: 3
SAGs jump ahead: 1
Mechanicals: 1- derailleur issue (fixed)
1- Chain issue (fixed)
2 – flat
Provided lots of cold water/Gatorade
No 911 or medical emergency calls