Feed Zone Frenzy
Posted April 13, 2011
This weekend is the East Midlands Cicle Classic in Rutland. It describes itself as the UK’s answer to the Belgian classics with multiple off road sectors. This race is of significance to me because last year, this was the first race I ever helped out at. I drove 2 hours down to the start, wished the Endura Racing riders luck and hopped in the car to the feed zone.
Now we spent a good couple of hours waiting for the riders to pass for the first time. We had a little debate about whether the van next to us was Dutch, German or Belgian. We had a wander over to the adjacent field to check out the scenery. We ate a few chocolate rice crispy buns. And then the first motorbike went past....
Everybody jumped out of their cars and started grabbing bottles and gels. I did the same; I had been briefed on what to do. We positioned ourselves quite far apart at the side of the road so that if the riders missed one of us they would still have a chance of getting a bottle off the other.
The convoy was racing past; several times I had to quickly step backwards to avoid being clipped by one of the lead cars. I realised that my legs were shaking, not because I was cold but because of the nervous adrenaline coursing through my veins. I kept thinking, “make sure you hold the bottle right, and make sure they can see you”. My heart was beating rapidly. The riders started to approach. I held out my arm and the speed of the bottle being grabbed from my hand made me feel like I had just been pushed aside by some invisible force. I quickly grabbed another bottle and offered it out to the bunch that was still flying past. Again the invisible force struck my arm and the bottle was gone. I think I heard a quick “thanks Amy” travelling back on the wind. One more time I held out my arm, this time I was looking at the riders as they approached. Nobody took it. The broom wagon went past. It was over.
The adrenaline subsided after a few minutes of pure exhilaration. It was possibly the most exciting/nerve wracking thing I had ever done in my life. I squealed and giggled and expressed my excitement to my companions. It was such a great feeling! A few more rice crispy buns and a bit of idle chit chat and then we got to do it all again.
I’ve become somewhat of a hardened “feed zoner” now, I am entrusted to work on any race I choose and I certainly chose a lot of races last year. It’s great to feel like you’re doing an important job and that you’re part of the team. I can’t wait to go back to where it all started this weekend. The buzz of being at a bike race never fails to entice me, especially when the day is topped off with a win!
picture via road cycling UK
