Help! Three of us are doing Kanza this year; two in the 200 and one in the 100. We have one support person/friend. Logistically it may be very hard for him to meet all three of us at the checkpoints we go thru because the 100 mile rider may be slow compared to the 200 mile riders. Is anyone else in the same situation that would want to consider combining our crews? One crew for the 200 and one for the 100. If not, is there anyone out there that can help by crewing for our 100 mile rider?
I don't believe so. You're expected to have all of that covered by your support crew. There are locations that you'll go by convenience stores, etc where you can refill, though.
I am trying to get a vision in my mind or some info of how this ride/race is set up as I have some thoughts of doing it next year. So here is my question. If support vehicles are only allowed at the check points/rest stops how do they have a big enough area for support crews for 1000 riders?
The support stops are located in towns that have a convenience store. DK does not utilize drop bags. For the 100 mile, there is one stop. For the 200 mile, there is usually 3 stops. For 2017, the DK people have announced that the first stop for the 200 and the only stop for the 100 is the same location. Thus, unless your 200 riders are extremely fast and your 100 rider is extremely slow, your single support person should be able to handle all three at the first stop before proceeding on to the second stop for the 200 riders.
As to how they can handle support crew areas for 1000 riders...they do it very well (and it's actually closer to 1900 riders between the 100 and 200). There's enough spread in the riders, and the towns where the support stops are located are open enough that everyone has a place, though it might not be right next to the timing line. DK is a great ride and the organizers have really worked it out to what seems to be a well-oiled machine, at least to us riders. Enjoy the beautiful ride!
The Support-for-Hire is made for the situation you're worried about. You get friendly people waiting to help you with the basics at every stop, transport of your drop bag to every stop, and an emergency phone # for someone to come SAG you off the course. I bet sharing 100/200 mile rider support at the first stop will work for you, but if not, sign up for Support ASAP.
