Welcome to the Illegal Feed Zone Blog!
I'm a bike racing fan in Oregon and don't have the time to travel to out of state races but do try and go to the big ones in Oregon. Because I like to go above and beyond, I decided to hand out drinks at the race in a spot where I think I would want one. This is typically on the last climb of a big ride where it has been a while since a feed zone but there is still long enough to go that a cool drink would be helpful to get to the end.
My intricate race analysis led me to a spot on the Queen stage of the Cascade Classic. My spot must meet the following criteria:
1. Far enough from the last feed zone to be useful
2. Far enough from the finish to be useful
3. On a steep enough climb that the riders can communicate what they want and safely grab a drink
4. Far enough into the race that there will be stragglers and the riders will be spaced out
5. A race that is in a hot climate that will necessitate an extra feed zone
Here is the first Illegal Feed Zone:
I decided to come up with a simple communication system. This way riders could let me know what they want before they get to me and I could have it ready for them. The original system is shown below.
And yes, I do have beer that I hand out. Always an Oregon microbrew. I don't mess around.
By the second year of the I.F.Z I had gathered a few buddies who liked to watch the race and help out/hang out in my spot. Here are the three guys who have come out every year. They are Bend residents and just ride out to my spot. It is nice to have some help and some company. For those of you that have been to a bike race, it can get pretty boring in between groups.
In the third year of the Illegal Feed Zone I branched out and set up at the Mt. Hood Classic. This one was tougher as the (legal) feed zones were a lot closer to the end and most of the riders weren't hurting when they hit my spot. Therefore I wasn't as "needed" as I am at the Cascade Classic and many of the racers didn't partake.
Here is my assistant helping me at Mt. Hood Classic.
And anyone riding a Cannondale CAAD gets special treatment from the Illegal Feed Zone.
So, you may be asking about the name. Well, I have been scolded by USA cycling for feeding the racers out of zone at every race I've been to. Our compromise is that I don't feed the lead groups, only the stragglers behind the peloton. This way they don't have to see it and penalize anyone and I can't affect the outcome of a race in a significant way. So, after we go through our little diplomatic dance, I offer them a water and they go on their merry way. OBRA, on the other hand, thinks I'm pretty funny and just hangs out and waves the lead group by - then turns their back on my operation and tells me that they think it is great I'm there.
Anyways, my first signs said "Drinks, 1/2 mile ahead". One of the guys that showed up and started hanging out and helping suggested that we had an "Illegal Feed Zone" going and the name just stuck. Now my signs say "Illegal Feed Zone, 1/2 mile ahead" so there is no confusion.
This last year the Illegal Feed Zone branched out into the neutral wheel support business as well. I bring my bike and try to ride as much as I can before the racers arrive so instead of a drink, one of the riders from Cascade Classic this year asked for a front wheel. I took mine off and gave it to him, noticing that I was getting a slightly better version of wheel in return, so I was confident he'd be back to claim his wheel. Anyway, dude ended up with a top 20 finish on my front wheel. Glad to be of service.
Lastly, a big shout out to Veronika Lenzi. She is a professional photographer that has posted a lot of great pictures of the Illegal Feed Zone in action on my facebook page. If you are a racer, support Veronika (Ronnie) by buying the pictures she takes of you. I pay her in Gatorade and beer, so I'm getting a steal! Thanks Veronika!
Well, there is the Wikipedia edition of the IFZ blog. Stay tuned for updates, my personal cycling exploits - BOOOOORING -, and a special interview with a cycling celebrity.
If you would like to see more pictures and older, shorter posts, "Like" the Illegal Feed Zone page on facebook.
Allez, Allez, Allez!
Andy
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