I've almost never had a crew for 50-milers (my first endurance ride was in
1979), but then, I tend to try to be pretty self-sufficient and I also
don't ride very fast ... In a lot of ways, I prefer to not have a crew.
I think it depends on what you want to get out of a ride: if you're out to
win, a crew could make it easier. If you want to stretch your personal
limits, a crew could make that harder. (You'll also find that if you don't
have a crew, endurance people are wonderful about helping out, hauling your
stuff to the vet checks and sharing their water.)
100s are a different story. I'm fine on my own for the first 60-70 miles in
daylight. After that, it's NICE to have someone waiting up for you and
cheering you on, not to mention handing you hot coffee! But again, it's a
real confidence-builder to do a 100 with no help.
To me, endurance riding is all about what each individual wants to get out
of each individual ride.
Best of luck -- riding your own ride.
cheers,
Wynne Brown
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