On Course Support Provided
Aid Stations are located along the route (about 25-30 miles apart, depending on terrain) and clearly marked on the route sheet. Riders can expect to find a nice variety of pre-packaged nutritious and caloric foods and beverages. Our typical fare includes bananas, PB&J sandwiches, energy bars, granola bars, fruit bars and various other treats, plus soda at the last Aid Station.** No one will go hungry on Planet Ultra; but please remember that it’s impossible to guarantee you’ll get exactly what you want. If you have specific needs/desires, please carry it with you.
**Our food choices are intended to be portable, so you can eat on the bike. Generally speaking, all of our food is pre-packaged for sanitary and other health reasons. We avoid serving anything that would cause the Health Department to raise an eyebrow. Speaking of being sanitary, we ask that riders not handle powdered products. Our friendly volunteers will serve it with their clean hands.
Several SAG vehicles will be out roaming the course. Please note that tech service along the course is complimentary; parts are not. Please bring some extra cash for a tire, tubes or CO2 cartridges just in case.
Usually SAG vehicles will have a floor pump and basic tools. However the SAG drivers will likely not be expert mechanics – so please do your best to bring a properly tuned, fully functional bicycle, as well as your own supplies, ability, and desire to happily make any repairs needed along the way. Please don’t bring fancy racing wheels to Planet Ultra events. No carbon rims or tubulars: We can’t fix ’em. We’ve had so many riders DNF because of wheel problems. We sincerely do not want you to be another statistic.
Disclaimer: SAG means “support and gear” – not immediate transport. If a rider is injured, sick, or some other emergency comes up, we’ll do our best to quickly get the rider to the finish line; but we can’t guarantee how long it will take. If the rider is just tired, came to the event unprepared, or just doesn’t want to continue, the rider should plan on having to wait a long while or spend the better part of the day in a SAG vehicle. Our SAG drivers need to be on the road helping people who are riding. It’s much more fun to get there under pedal power! Riders should be tired during and after these events. Tired as a rider may be, he/she will feel better the next day if they don’t quit.
Finally, please remember that over a 50-100 mile course, it’s impossible for drivers to be everywhere at all times. The SAG vehicles may not be anywhere near where you are if you have a bike problem or decide you need a lift. Please try to ride to the nearest Aid Station, where help is always available.