Evaluation:

This is an excerpt of the email Chuck Oestreich sent on June 25, 2003, to GITAP 2003 participants seeking comments and feedback about the Inaugural GITAP 2003 Tour. My responses are included herein.

Greetings fellow GITAP riders,

OK, the tent is in the garage, the sleeping bag is aired out, and the bike is waiting to be cleaned and oiled.

But - do you still wake up with GIT-Dots in your eyes after dreaming of:
- the trails along the lush canals between our start and Colona,
- the might Mississippi running deep and strong beside the Great River Trail,
- the friendly reception put on by the folks at Morrison/Rockwood,
- the some-mores with singing and dancing between raindrops at White Pines,
- the urban paths of Rockford and the cities along the Fox River,
- the verdant fields stretching beyond eyesight,
- the tail winds and the head winds and - yes - the hills,
- the gem of the Long Prairie Trail,
- the funny naturalist at Rock Cut,
- the mounds and variations of tasty food,
- the starlit nights and the alarm clock of the birds,
- the beautiful state parks, each unique in its own way,
- the helpful DNR crew - always there when you needed them,
- the light-hearted meetings complete with door prizes,
- and most of all your fellow riders - just about the friendliest and most positive group of 140 people on the face of the earth.

However, as promised, you're not finished with the ride yet. You still have 10 miles to go. We want you to give us some mile-marker feedback about the ride. Be honest. We'll shield your name (and e-mail address) as we make a master compilation of all those who reply (unless you want it differently).

So just hit the reply tab on your computer and give a short answer to the following questions:

Mile 1) Daily routes: Too long; too short; too hilly; too much path; not marked well enough; day-off needed; too rural; too urban?

Nice variation I thought: some trail, some road; some flat, some hilly; some urban, some rural. There were a couple spots that could have been marked better but overall you all did a great job as it is no small feat to mark 450 miles of bike routes.

Couple suggestions:
1) be more consistent about the markings: a) use same color paint b) use same size dots (GIT-dots) - the bigger the better c) always have two sets of dots, a consistent distance from the intersection or turn
2) if you could only do something about that headwind ;-)

Mile 2) Camping facilities: Adequate; more state parks; fewer; open spaces; individual sites? For you motelers, any problems?

Motels were very nice (State Park lodges) to marginal (Deck Plaza Hotel). I didn't like the long van ride from Morrison Rockwood to Thomson. The people of Morrison were so nice it would have been nice to stay in their community.

Day 6 we stopped at the hotel (5 miles before the state park) and showered, changed our clothes. Then we rode the final 5-6 miles to then park. It would have been nice to be able to finish the day's ride and then get shuttled to the park. Not a big deal.

Mile 3) Food: Hawaiian Luau, grilled pork chop, Italian beef sandwiches, Chicken and beef, All American picnic, baby back ribs and stuffed chicken breasts? And what about breakfasts?

Food was great. Breakfast was very nice, lots of quantity and variety. The food providers did a great job.

I heard only 2 complaints: 1) one time they ran out of food which is a no no in my book and 2) drinks were late to arrive one evening meal (minor sin). I think it is important to coach the participants to allow all riders to get through the food line once before going back for 2nds or 3rds.

Mile 4) Support: Did you feel alone on the routes? Were the sag refreshment stops adequate? How about bike repair? And our massage therapist, Glen; those who used him, what do you think?

No, but then I had a riding partner. Sag stops were good although it would have been nice to know exactly where they were going to be ahead of time (like mark it on the cue sheet).

I heard very good things about bike repair. They came to the rescue of my partner with new tires at very reasonable price. I heard positive comments from others as well.

Mile 5: Meetings and entertainment: Were the meetings informative, entertaining, and satisfactory? What about the door prizes? What about the entertainment?

Very nice meetings. When we did the TOGIR ride they gave prizes to the person who found the most interesting item during the day's ride (road kill was specifically excluded). Also funny stories about fellow riders were encouraged.

Was the political/city/chamber of commerce involvement too overdone or more needed?

I thought all the evening meetings were fine except Geneseo where there were to many talkers who talked too long. I realize it is tough to get a politician to be brief.

Mile 6) Organization: Were you "up in the air" or uninformed about what was going on? Were there any breakdowns on the information highway? Were the organizers knowledgeable, helpful, and easy to talk to?

Organizers were great, very helpful. They didn't seem to mind repeating directions/instructions over and over again.

Suggestion: harp at the riders to bring their next day's cue sheets to the evening meal and meeting. We kept forgetting and then didn't remember all changes, advice and tips shared by Chuck, Laura and Ed.

Mile 7) Concept: Did your knowledge and appreciation of Illinois trails and state parks increase?

Yes, I had no idea the Illinois has so many wonderful trails - you all have done great things with your bike trails and bike paths.

Do you think it makes sense to have both trails and parks on a ride like this?

Sure, why not? Trails are great and Illinois has some great State Parks (especially those with lodges!).

Mile 8) Paths: What do you think about the paths you experienced on this ride? What did you enjoy about the paths? About the roads?

Paths were great - I loved the one on the Mississippi River and the long path down Fox River Valley. Paved paths are ideal: they are easy to ride and you don't have to worry about vehicle traffic very much.

Roads were fine for the most part. I thought they would be less traveled like the Levee Road of Monroe County where you can ride for hours without seeing a car. Guess I am spoiled. One road was narrow and the out foot of pavement was in lousy shape (deteriorating and full of cracks). Another road was narrow and a milk truck gave us very little clearance.

Mile 9) Expectations: Was the ride all that you expected? What was more than expected? What was less?

More than I expected because I didn't realize Illinois had all those miles of great trails and paths.

More than I expected because this ride did NOT seem like an inaugural ride. It speaks very highly of the people who put this ride together that the ride was so successful and fun. A tip of my bike helmet to all of you!

Mile 10) Value: Did you get your money's worth?

Yes, very much so. Thanks to the efforts of you all, LIB, DNR and countless volunteers.

An extra mile: Jerseys. Would you buy a GITAP jersey - available only to GITAP riders - if it were offered on a continuing basis for about the standard jersey price - 65$ to 80$?

Possibly. Although I generally stay away from tight fitting biking jerseys and prefer a looser fit.

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