As the Riders take to the road to build their endurance for Harbor to the Bay’s journey from Boston to Provincetown, some may envision Crew Members lounging by the pool or listening to the waves at the beach, sipping Planter’s Punches on the deck of the Boatslip, or wandering back to a guest house to sleep after that last slice at Spiritus- but nothing could be farther from the truth! As this years Apps Dude my activities get underway early in the Summer, when the On-route SAG Lead Andy texts “Hey, remember me? Ready to Crew H2B 17?” After my enthusiastic “Yes!”, I get cracking, checking out the apps from last year’s ride, making sure they are good for this years ride. I write up the instructions (trying to have video and web based instructions this year as well), and check them out. To make sure the instructions work for others, I work with experienced and inexperienced crew to test the procedures.
Prep doesn’t end once the app instructions are put to bed. Andy is hard at work crafting the emails for different stages of SAG Crew on-route prep, sharing these to get feedback. At the same time Andy is reaching out to SAG Crew old and new, checking who is coming back for Ride 17, and organizing them into teams along with M.A.. About a week before the ride the teams are (almost) complete and lists are sent to me. I set up the accounts for each team, and finalize the install instructions so each team can install and sign in to their apps successfully. After one last review from Andy and M.A., the Apps email is sent the Tuesday before the ride. If Crew have questions, Andy and I are at Club Cafe the Wednesday before the ride from 6PM-8:30PM to answer them and help install the apps (and maybe have an Adult Beverage or two). And if you need apps help and can’t make it to Club, the Apps email will include my phone number. I’m happy to walk you thru the install, or to help you do before the ride starts Saturday morning.
Our goal as Crew is to make sure Riders have a safe and enjoyable ride, and to help them cycle as much of the route as possible. If we think you need a hand, we will stop and check. We have water and Gatorade to keep you hydrated, snacks to keep your energy up, a bike rack for your bike when that repair might be done more quickly by a Tech at a Pit Stop, or just to give you a lift over that last, nasty hill after Pit Stop 9 (foreshadowing here). We guarantee you friendly conversation when you are in the car with us- some folk last year were surprised how my fun my Crew Partner Todd and I were having! That said- we hope for a boring ride because that means a great ride for you.
Looking forward to Ride Day, and working with SAG Crew 17 to provide a safe, fun journey for our Cyclists!
Hugs,
Myke
If you aren’t riding H2B 17, and though me and Todd had a blast crewing last year, why not join the SAG On-route crew? We are looking for co-pilots.
As a co-pilot you are the eyes of a vehicle, keeping a look out for riders needing assistance, and the ears as well, listening for crew assignments and communicating with other SAG’s and Pit Stop Managers.
Drop an email to afisher@harbortothebay.org if you are interested.