The 2011 Results

Katy, Texas  -  Results will be posted here when available
Greenville, Michigan - Results 2011
Arcanum, Ohio - Results 2011
American Fork, Utah - Results 2011
Staunton, Illinois - Results 2011

You Tube Video

Donut Training

With just days away from the Illinois & Utah tours, for some, it’s time to think about donut eating strategies.  For most of you, just a few donuts is all you’d want or can handle during the ride.  But for others, the tempting time deductions will lure those part time competitive eaters into pushing down more than the average mortal.

The Utah three time champ, Regan Fackrell, has devulged some tips to help those preping for the dozen club.  I’ve listed them below along with some other experience riders I’ve spoke to, and, a real life competitive eater who will also be joining the ranks in this year’s Illinois Tour.

But first, some quick facts:

2010 Illinois Tour

3,925 (327 dozen) donuts eaten - 1,107 finishers
Average number of donuts eaten per rider = 3.55
26% ate 0 - 59% ate 3 or less - 5% ate a dozen or more
Most donuts eaten – 25 Andrew Mullins, 17 Tammy Bauer
Course record – 33 Steve Meinke (2008), 19 Anna Witt (2006)

2010 Utah Tour

1,036 (86 dozen) donuts eaten - 255 finishers
Average number of donuts eaten per rider = 3.58
19% ate 0 - 64% ate 3 or less - 5% ate a dozen or more
Most donuts eaten – 25 Regan Fackrell, 12 Cortney Dreiske & Sandy Baker

Now for Regan’s tips in bold and comments from others:

Tip #1

Set a goal for how many you can eat and stick to it !

Other Riders (OR): This is true with anything, including eating.  Remember to set a realistic goal.  Most of us can’t eat a dozen donuts.

Competitive Eater (CE): To set a realistic goal, I like to practice eating the actual food in a set amout of time to get an idea of how I’ll fair against other eaters.

Tip #2

Eat 2/3 of your goal at the first stop (i.e. goal of 21, eat at least 14 at the first stop)

OR: Very true!  Most riders felt this was dead on.

CE: I’ll be using the ¾ rule.  A goal of 20, 15 at the first stop and at least 5 at the second stop.

Tip #3

Pick up as many donuts as you can and start eating them (i.e. grab at least 4 in each hand). Once you have committed and taken a bite, you will make yourself finish.

OR: Most riders I spoke to like to eat in sets of 3 or 4 and not in each hand.

CE: I’ll use the 1/3 rule here.  If your goal is to eat 12 at the first stop then eat in increments of 4.

Tip #4

Drink enough water to keep your throat moist, but not too much.

OR: Very true again!

CE: Try flavoring your water with something that isn’t sweet.  Mixing up the flavors will help get down those extra donuts.

Tip #5

Eat fast. There is a delay in the stomach telling your brain that it is full. The longer the breaks between bites, the more time for your stomach to start screaming!

OR:  Most riders had mixed feelings about this one.  Eat at a pace which is comfortable for you.

CE:  This one I don’t agree on.  Eat efficiently, not fast.  The more you chew up the food, the more digestable it becomes, and the less space it takes up in the stomach.  The body is very smart.  Your not going to fool it by eating fast.

Tip #6

At least one week prior, stretch the stomach. One way is forcing yourself to chug water. Kobayashi (the hot dog eating champ) will force himself to chug a gallon of water in less than 2 minutes every morning!

OR:  Most think it’s best to eat a large meal the night before.  Maybe something high in carbs.

CE: I agree on stretching the stomach before competition.  However, water is not a good choice.  And definitly not a gallon.  I use a liquid that contains electrolites such as gatorade.  Drinking large amounts of water is very risky and can lead to water intoxication.

There you have it.  Even though every tip was not agreed apon, you can’t argue with the results of a three time champ.  Set a goal, do the math on how many to eat and when, and practice.

Good Luck!  Comments and opinions are always welcome and encouraged.

Lets hear your thoughts.

Greg Acres

It’s all in the timing

One improvement that will make a big difference this year is the use of the RFID timing system.  Illinois and Utah will be using a radio-frequency identification timing system, also known as “chip” timing, which will track riders with the use of a transponder unit.  It will improve the response time and accuracy of the results.

In 2010, Illinois saw its best turnout, over 1,100 finishers.  Imagine keeping track of that many riders, their donut count, age groups, gender, and adjusting their times… by hand!!! Not to mention having it ready, and accurate, in time for the award ceremony.  The organizers and volunteers were able to finish in an impressive amount of time.  However, there were mistakes made that left a few riders out that should have been given an award.  Eventually corrections were made after the results were posted.  This year should prove to be a more enjoyable one due to the RFID timing system (provided by Fleet Feet).  Riders will be able to see their results almost instantly and accurately.

Good luck to everyone!

Greg Acres

Tour de Donut Web Page

For many years I’ve been a runner, never a cyclist. That all changed in 2010. That’s when a friend of mine told me about the Illinois Tour de Donut. A race, which combines eating donuts (for some, competitively) and racing. Ever since then I’ve been hooked on cycling and the TDD. So much so that I’ve created accounts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and TourDeDonut.net.

After some research, I found there are four other states which hold the same event… Utah, Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. I thought it would be a great idea to combine all five events into one web page. It would include links to all locations, pictures, videos, articles, and the most important of them all… the results. I’ve collected a lot of information and the site is almost ready.

One of the most time consuming tasks to make the site worthwhile is the lack of a standard format for the results. I’ve collected the results from all locations that are (or were) available and I believe I’ve come up with a standard everyone will like. Hopefully in the next few weeks the results will be posted.

Thanks for reading and to those who subscribe to this blog.

Greg Acres

The History

Let me start out by welcoming you to the Tour De Donut Blog.  Most of you reading this are probably familiar with the race.  You’ve either participated in it or have supported family and friends.  For those who are unfamiliar with the tour or maybe thinking about giving it a try this year, I’d like to give you a brief history of the event.

The Tour de Donut was started in 1989 by a group of Southwestern Illinois cyclists.  They thought a race spoofing the Tour de France would be a natural.  The first race started with 25 cyclists.  Members of the Mid-America Bicycle Club (defunct in 1998) were discussing ideas for a unique ride, and the Tour de Donut was born.  In 1998, former members sought new sponsorship.  Since then, the Saint Louis’ Boeing Employees Bicycle Club (formally the McDonnell Douglas Employee Bicycle Club) has sponsored the event.  The race is also sponsored by the Staunton Chamber of Commerce.

Since the race is a spoof on the Tour de France, it is normally held on the second Saturday of July, occurring during the Tour de France.  The start/finish was originally at the Staunton High School.  It was later moved to the Elementary School next door.  In 2004, the start/finish was moved to the Staunton City Park.  This location allowed more room to accommodate more riders and a larger parking area.  Due to the increasing popularity of the Illinois tour (over 1,100 in 2010); race day registration is not available.  All participants must register via the web page.

The Illinois race begins with a mass start and is paced to the city boundary by the Staunton Police.  The route has varied slightly over the years due to road conditions and construction.  It offers a variety of terrain, from fast down hills, sharp turns, steep (sometimes impossible looking) rolling hills, and of course, two donut stops.  Riders must stop at two checkpoints (donut stops) in Prairietown and Worden.  Donut consumption is not mandatory, however, with every donut eaten, five minutes is deducted from the riders actual time giving them an adjusted time.  After the race, placement awards are presented by category for best actual time, best adjusted time, and most donuts eaten.  Attendance prizes and grand prizes are also awarded.

The Tours

Since the first race in 1989, the Illinois tour has spun off four other events around the country.  Illinois Tour Site

Since 2004, Katy, Texas has hosted their version of the Tour de Donut.  Known as the “Sweetest Bike Ride in Texas”, the 28 mile race benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Texas Gulf Coast.  Texas Tour Site

Since 2007, the Colavita Ohio Cycling Club continued the tradition in Arcanum, Ohio.  The annual event has exploded to one of the largest rides in Ohio and is held the first Saturday after Labor Day.  Ohio Tour Site

Since 2008, the Rotary Club of American Fork in American Fork, Utah has been hosting the tour.  A 21 mile race where three minutes (not the traditional five minutes) are deducted from your actual time.  Utah Tour Site

In 2009, Greenville, Michigan joined in the mix.  It is held at the Klackle Orchards Family Fun Farm west of Greenville, Michigan.  A 30 mile race where three minutes (not the traditional five minutes) are deducted from your actual time.  Michigan Tour Site

The Media

As most of you know, promoting an event can rest on how effective your media is.  Specifically the internet and its various tools of expression.  With that in mind, I’ve created a network of media to help promote the Tour De Donut, their respective clubs and charities.  Of course my first choice was to create a web page which (eventually) will include links, results, pictures, and videos for all five events.  This blog was started along with the other popular media including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.  I encourage everyone to visit these sites to get more information on the Tour de Donut.  Also, don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook, “Follow” us on Twitter and “Subscribe” on YouTube.

I hope this inspires you to join in on the fun the Tour De Donut has brought many bike riders, and donut lovers, in the past.  I’d like to here from you!  Share your thoughts, experiences, pictures, videos, or whatever you have to offer on our Facebook page.

Thanks,

Greg Acres