RIDER SUPPORT 

Police officers, Best Buddies staff, and volunteers will be available to assist you at the start, finish, rest stops, and throughout the course. Please look for staff in Best Buddies Challenge apparel. Additionally, our team of Domestiques will be riding alongside participants on the course wearing bright pink jerseys and will be able to provide immediate rider support on the road.

DOMESTIQUES

In cycling, a Domestique is a rider dedicated to support another rider, typically the team leader. For the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port, we have hand-selected our Domestiques to serve you. Our Domestiques are carefully chosen based on their cycling experience, physical fitness, and leadership abilities.

The mission of a Best Buddies Challenge Domestique is to help every participant feel safe, that they belong, and that they matter. We can’t do the Challenge without YOU, and we’re excited to tell you about our Domestique program! The Domestiques are here to facilitate an amazing cycling experience that replicates riding in a UCI Pro Tour event, and make riders feel like they’re riding in a peloton.

Why Should I Ride with a Domestique?

With every large bike ride, groups will form and disintegrate based on the fitness and skill of the riders. Groups randomly forged with a broad spectrum of experience can be erratic, confusing and intimidating. The Domestique’s job is to ride in a manner that is smooth and safe, and to provide guidance and support on the course. Look for our Domestiques in bright pink jerseys on the course, and alert them if you need immediate assistance.

100-Mile Start Pace-Groups

This year we’re excited to share that our Domestique Program will also offer pace-groups at the 100-mile start line, for those riders interested in cycling at a pace which will arrive to the finish line at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, or after 3:00 PM.

There is no requirement to join a pace group, but if you are interested, you will have an opportunity to meet with your Domestique Pace Leader and other riders in that group before the ride on Saturday morning. Look for the appropriate signage for the meet-up areas in the check-in/breakfast area and the start-line corral at the 100-mile start. This is a great opportunity to make new cycling friends, and push yourself to set a new personal best!

Which Pace Group Should I Choose?

The 100-mile start line chute will be lined up in four start groups that will depart at two-minute intervals. The fastest and most aggressive riders will start first. Each group thereafter will travel at a more relaxed pace than the group ahead. The four groups are set to prevent faster riders from dangerously charging through the ranks of slower riders.

Pick the group that suits your attitude, level of fitness and cycling experience. Poll your friends and teammates to determine not just how fast they wish to ride, but also how many rest stops they wish to visit and for how long.

Group One: 7:00 a.m These riders will go almost at race pace and may stop only once and expect to finish before 12:30 p.m.

Group Two: 7:02 a.m These riders will travel at a brisk pace but will stop more often, finishing before 1:30 p.m.

Group Three: 7:04 a.m.  These riders will roll at a comfortable pace and stop often, finishing before 2:30 p.m.

Group Four: 7:06 a.m. These riders will take their time, have fun, enjoy all of the rest stops and finish around 3:00 p.m.

Why Should I Ride with a Domestique?

The speed will be maintained at a rate that each Domestique determines to be appropriate for that respective group. Some Domestiques will be at the front of each group, blocking the wind, navigating the course, and alerting the group to any hazards. Other Domestiques will be on the back of each group, to provide assistance to any riders in need while communicating via radio to the lead Domestique of any speed adjustments required.

Can I Switch Groups?

Should you not be able to maintain a pace, simply drop back to a slower pace group or choose a different pace group at one of the rest stops. At each rest stop, a Domestique Pace Leader will  announce the departure of their group and their estimated time of finish.

Questions? We’re here to help. Please email us at Coach@bestbuddies.org.