One question that comes up for race organizers is the need for a lead bike. Some feel that if they put out direction arrows and have a person stand at critical turns that the need for a lead bike is not necessary. And in many cases this may work. Over the years I have seen a number of problems with both a lead bike and using only direction arrows. Runners tend to get into the spirit of the race and focus on running and are not bothered by distractions.
One duathlon I helped organize had a bike portion out on county roads. I put large painted arrows on the road showing that about 30 yards ahead the course made a right turn. I put a sign with an arrow pointing to the right about 20 yards ahead of the turn. I stationed a person standing at the turn pointing that the course turned to the right. The bike came pedaling down the road and despite the painted arrows, the red direction arrow sign, and a person waving his arms and yelling to turn, the biker went whizzing by him, completely missing the turn.
I have been a lead bike for many races and used a small rear view mirror attached to my sunglasses to see the lead runner behind me. I tried to stay about 15 – 20 yards in front of the lead runner so that the runner could see me. It worked well for me. I have had lead bikes get about a quarter mile ahead of the runner. The distance did not work out as when the bike made a right turn on the road ahead the lead runner did not see the bike turn and continued to run straight. One race I entered had the person that was supposed to mark the course with direction arrows was late. At a critical ‘Y’ in the road he arrived in time for the group of runners behind the lead runners to signify the course took the road to the left. The lead runners had already passed this point and ran to the right. At the finish runners were coming in from both sides of the finish line. It was a little confusing to be crossing the finish line and seeing other runners coming at you from the other direction.
