RAMROD 2022 Safety Supplement

RAMROD 2022 SAFETY SUPPLEMENT

CONTENTS

This supplement contains the latest information and recommendations for your safety out on the course.

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Self Assessment

03

Road Safety Report

04

Dealing with COVID

05

Dealing with Heat

06

Safety Highlights

07

Route Options

01

SELF ASSESSMENT We’re excited that you’ve chosen to challenge yourself with RAMROD! This event is special to us and has been part of Northwest cycling for 37 years.

Now that we’re a couple of days away from event day, it’s important that you have access to all of the information about the ride, support, road conditions and weather so that you can plan properly and achieve your goals.

The RAMROD experience was defined in 1984 and hasn’t deviated much since from the original vision.

RAMROD is a serious endurance event and the challenge is built into the course’s mileage, the impressive mountain climbs asking you for 10,000’ of climbing and the need to strategize when to expend energy, when to recuperate and when to replenish.

Whether this is your 10th RAMROD or your 1st, these final days prior to the ride are the time for each rider to self-assess their readiness and comfort in taking on the challenge this year. You’ll need to review your training program, the readiness of your bicycle, your comfort with the temperatures expected on the course and the feeling in your legs.

If in your self-assessment you have significant doubt or concerns then you should lean towards prioritizing your safety & well-being and withdraw from the event.

This mountain, this event, will be here next year and the years to come.

Thank you, Redmond Cycling Club

02

ROAD SAFETY REPORT The roads on the course for the most part are in excellent condition except as noted here: 1.

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Just outside Buckley and just past the turn onto SR 162 there is a new bridge. The bridge is very narrow. Riders should exercise caution if vehicle traffic is present.

While roads are generally in good condition from the start through to Ashford, there are some spots with abrupt lane edges and some rough pavement in a few spots. Gravel may also be present on the road. Riders should keep a good lookout and be careful about riding in pace lines through these areas.

The area before and after ELBE has multiple locations where railroad tracks cross the street. Be alert, slow and cross the tracks at the proper angle and exercise caution with those around you.

SKATE CREEK ROAD in the past has been in poor condition with many potholes and irregular pavement.

The road this year is much better than we have seen in the past, but there are some rough spots. We will attempt to chalk some of these areas but riders should keep a close lookout throughout this area, maintain a safe speed and avoid dangerous spots.

Skate Creek Road exits to Packwood and we will turn left onto US 12. No services are provided in Packwood but there is a store at the intersection with US 12 if you want to stop.

The US 12/SR 123 intersection is EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. You will be turning left going up hill and crossing three lanes of travel against high-speed downhill traffic. We will have flaggers in this area and you should NOT CROSS UNTIL DIRECTED. We will gather riders in groups to cross; stay completely off the road while waiting and follow directions.

The Cayuse Pass climb is on good roads but of course it will be HOT. We are providing special instructions for dealing with the heat. Water and ice are generally not a priority at Cayuse Pass, it is a quick and cooling descent from Cayuse to the Deli at Crystal Road. There are full supplies at that location.

The Crystal Road is in excellent condition. You will be going up and back, we WILL NOT have services on Crystal Road so stop at the Deli to get supplies before/after climbing. You will come back down past the Deli so you can stop again if you need food, water or ice.

THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS that a major construction project will be happening up at Crystal. There is a major concrete pour scheduled for that day and many concrete trucks will be driving both ways from the Enumclaw gravel pits all the way along 410 and up Crystal Road and back. Steps are being taken to have that operation conducted early so they would be off the road by the time we arrive, but there are no guarantees. WATCH OUT FOR TRUCKS and stay out of their way when they are moving through.

Recent chip seal road work on 410 before and after Greenwater will be suspended on event day, all equipment will be removed, and the shoulder will be swept of loose gravel.

The Mud Mountain road is in extremely poor condition in spots. There can be gravel present and potholes anywhere along this route. In one spot half the road has been shut down leaving a single lane for bi-directional traffic. Go through this area slowly and carefully.

The ride finishes through a field into Thunder Mountain Middle School. You will enter the trail through a narrow gate. Ride through this area single file.

03

DEALING WITH COVID COVID 19 is still with us and new variants are causing recent rises in infection rates in WA and across the globe.

RAMROD has taken steps to protect our riders and our volunteers but you are also part of the equation.

Riders All riders have been vaccinated. Riders who have tested positively for COVID with symptoms within 10 days of the event must withdraw from the event. We have had several cancellations for this reasons and we appreciate their decisions and awareness for their health and the health of other riders and volunteers.

If you are experiencing Flu or COVID symptoms before the event, get tested immediately. If you test positive, withdraw from the event.

Volunteers All of our volunteers have been vaccinated and any volunteer who tests positive for COVID has to withdraw from the event. Further, any volunteer with flu-like symptoms will be told not to participate. Each of our volunteers who are in close contact with riders and the public will wear masks.

Food & Drink Service All food and drink will be prepared by volunteers and served to the riders individually. There is no self-serve: no reaching to pick up your food. Food preparers will be masked and gloved.

Masks for Indoor & Close Quarters There are no indoor events at the Start/Finish line for RAMROD this year. We will not be providing breakfast.

We strongly encourage everyone to bring a mask to wear off the bike when you are close to others or in any indoor area to protect yourself and others.

04

DEALING WITH HEAT While we have had an unusually cool spring and summer up to this point and now the forecast is calling for a heat wave that will peak on the day we hold RAMROD. We have seen projections for heat above 100 degrees at Packwood and expect the majority of your time out on the course beyond noon to be in the low 90s.

Overheating can be a serious health risk. If not addressed promptly it can lead to heat exhaustion and eventual heat stroke. Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include the following: Clammy Skin Muscle Cramps Dehydration Vomiting

Dizziness Extreme Thirst Fainting Weakness

Headache Excessive Sweating Nausea Decreased Urine Output

If you are experiencing some of these symptoms take immediate action to cool down and look for assistance.

Our SAG team and other volunteers have been taught to recognize signs of heat exhaustion and will be monitoring riders in difficult parts of the course. If you see a rider in trouble, please let us know so we can help.

Water & Ice We are also provisioning a greater supply of water. Water will be available at the following points: Eatonville, Lions Club (Ashford), 12/123 (past Packwood), Deer Creek and The Deli. Note that the top of Cayuse Pass is NOT a suitable location to rest, rehydrate and refuel. After you catch your breath from the climb, enjoy the quick descent from Cayuse and proceed to the Deli to hydrate and fuel up.

To support you in controlling heat we will make available a supply of ice at strategic points along the course.

Please bring something to hold ice to assist you with cooling. Socks, leggings, etc. have been used in the past to hold ice and place around necks and on shoulders to provide cooling on climbs. Pack out whatever you bring to hold ice – do not toss your container on the road.

If you need further supplies beyond our support out on the course, consider bringing payment options to visit at Eatonville, Packwood and Greenwater where supplies can be purchased. Knowing that you have this option can be comforting even though you’re unlikely to require their services.

Tips & Strategy Please refresh and stock up at 12/123 before beginning the climb up Cayuse. The Deer Creek facility has limited space and should be used to top off and for emergencies. The Deli is an important supply location before and after the Crystal climb. There are NO FACILITIES on the Crystal climb so make sure you resupply before you start the climb. RAMROD provides no support stop past The Deli and the final 37 miles to the finish. If you need something there is a store in Greenwater.

If you find yourself overheating, take advantage of the shade and cooler areas provided by mother nature via trees and streams. You can find them on sections where you need them most like the Cayuse climb.

Finally, IF YOU GET INTO DIFFICULTY, PLEASE CONTACT ANY OF THE SAG VEHICLES ON THE COURSE. They have emergency supplies of food, water and ice.

05

SAFETY HIGHLIGHTS A set of important insights to keep in mind to enhance your safety while riding.

RIDING WITH COMMUTERS IN THE MORNING We are guests riding through the communities along our route. You will be sharing the road in the morning from Enumclaw to Elbe with commuters and logging trucks. It is vital that everyone ride single file and be considerate of both vehicle traffic and fellow cyclists. With each year, the number of cars on the road has increased making this issue more important.

Groups that are familiar riding two-abreast must follow the single-line rule.

Our ride marshals and SAG vehicles have been asked to monitor our cyclists and will warn on poor decision-making and will remove riders for repeat warnings.

USE CAUTION AT THE ELBE TRACKS You’ll encounter multiple train tracks before and after Elbe. This is the time to slow down, communicate with riders around you and approach the train tracks safely.

ABOUT THOSE PACELINES If you are experienced riding pacelines and you know the other riders are experienced and familiar, then a paceline can be safe and rewarding.

If you are not experienced riding in pacelines or you are contemplating joining other riders, please don’t.

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ROUTE OPTIONS The design of the 2022 RAMROD course incorporates an out-and-back climb to the Crystal alpine valley. Our Deli stop is placed at intersection of the Crystal climb start and the final route to the finish line 37 miles away. You have the option to stop at the Deli before you climb to Crystal. You have the option to visit the Deli after the climb.

You also have the option to visit the Deli before and after Crystal.

This climb to Crystal represents 12.4 miles and 1,663 ft of climbing. When you arrive at this point on the course, you have the option to skip Crystal and create a 150 mile / 8,437’ route option for yourself. Keep this in mind as you assess your condition and the weather at this stage on the route.

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