[DCART] Fwd: 2007 Annual Agony Ride Sierra Valley Nevada/Plumas Counties

[Glenn Thomas]

>-----Original Message-----
>From: Edward Tune [mailto:etune at dps.state.nv.us]
>Sent: Tue 7/10/2007 7:59 AM
>
>It is a good cause!
>
>  Otto, KV7J
>
>
>
>Hello ARES members and fellow hams.
>
>It is that wonderful time again for the annual Agony Ride in the great
>Sierra Valley through Plumas and Sierra counties.
>
>The Nevada County Amateur Radio club and the Golden Empire Amateur Radio
>Society have worked this event together in years past.
>This year we would like to do it again.
>
>Anyone who can bring a packet station, and anyone who just wants to use
>existing packet stations on site, please contact me ASAP !!
>
>Below is some general information about the ride.  We were given a
>litter shorter notice than usual this year and will be scrambling for
>operators.
>
>
>Event Description and General Information
>This years Agony Bike Ride will be held from 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 27th
>to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 28th. The ride is a 24-hour endurance
>bicycle ride that has had close to, if not over, 96 riders
>participating. As the ride is a fund-raising event for Christian
>Encounter Ministries, each rider rides as many miles as possible during
>the 24-hour event. They raise money based on how far they ride. Some
>riders will ride until midnight, sleep and resume in the morning; others
>will press on through the night in hopes of reaching the 300-mile mark!
>
>Last year, David Hatch of Grass Valley shattered the long standing
>record and set the benchmark for all rides to come!
>
>The town of Loyalton is at the center of the loop course set in the
>middle of the Sierra Valley north of Truckee. The ride will start from
>Loyalton at 1:00 p.m. Friday with half the riders starting out towards
>the town of Vinton and half towards a site near the town of Beckwourth.
>Each leg of the loop is approximately 14 miles. When a rider reaches
>either Vinton or Beckwourth, they check-in and may rest, get
>refreshment, medical attention or turn around and keep going by heading
>back to Loyalton. Upon reaching Loyalton they check in and then keep
>going on to the next site. This pattern is repeated for the whole 24
>hours. In bicycle language each of these sites is known as a "sag stop".
>The helpers are called saggers. At each sag stop there is a Sag Leader
>in charge of the whole facility for the duration of the event.
>
>
>Keeping Track of the Riders
>Each rider has a number assigned to him or her. As the riders check in
>or check out at a sag stop, the ride personnel will notify both the
>radio operator and map table personnel as to the number or numbers of
>the riders coming in or going out and their destination if leaving or
>originating point if arriving. The radio operator will then relay that
>information to the other sites, which will in turn relay that
>information to the map table operators at their location.
>
>There are map tables at each site. Each map has moveable numbers
>representing each specific riders location. As you report to the map
>table, they will move the rider's number to the appropriate place on the
>map.
>
>
>Communication Plan
>1. There will be a packet network set up on 145.050 MHz. Comm Operators
>will be operating a node at the Beckwourth site. Each site will have a
>computer, tnc and radio setup to access the node. Each computer will be
>in the Talk mode, which allow the operator to simply key in the rider
>numbers and details and press Enter. This rider info will then pop up on
>the screens at the other two stations. You will not have to call a
>station, connect to them and then send the info, being connected to the
>node and being in Talk mode makes it all very simple. At last years
>event, the digital communications allowed precision tracking and record
>keeping not previously available when dealing with the large number of
>riders and with sleepy operators in the wee hours of the morning. When
>the information is right there on the screen, its easy to pass it on
>correctly. The trick is typing straight at 3:00 am!
>
>2. Planned operations will also include voice on the local 440 repeater.
>The voice link provides a backup to the packet network, communications
>between sites and a talk in channel. Specific message handling protocol
>will be handed out at the event as well as available beforehand. This is
>great practice for passing accurate traffic/messages in a field
>situation where accuracy helps ensure the safety of the riders.
>
>
>Equipment Needed
>There is AC power available at both Vinton and Loyalton. Beckwourth runs
>on battery or generator. We will need masts at each location plus the
>simplex radio links. The packet equipment is taken care of at two
>locations, and we are looking for a third station. We may need antennas
>for both the packet and the voice links too. If you can provide
>equipment, please let me know.
>
>
>Operator Accommodations
>As far as personal accommodations, there is food and drink provided at
>each site. (Good food too!) If you are spending the night, you may bring
>a tent or RV (Beckwourth) or you may sleep in the buildings provided at
>Vinton and Loyalton. There will be mattresses and sleeping bags
>available. You may want to bring your own bag. The sleeping setup is
>usually a number of people in a big room on separate mattresses on the
>floor. There are bathrooms at each site (porta potties at Beckwourth)
>plus sinks but no showers. Temperatures range from HOT in the daytime to
>cool and damp at night.
>
>Operators Needed
>With the packet network, 1 operator at a time can keep up with the flow
>of information. However, because the event is a straight 24 marathon, it
>is key to have several people who can rotate through shifts at each site
>to help people get a break and get rested.
>
>We'll need plenty of people to sign up, so don't be afraid we don't need
>you. We'll take all the help we can get. You may sign up for a certain
>time, or you may sign up for the whole time and fill in where needed.
>Please contact me, at the number below or via email
>
>Thank you and 73!
>
>Bill Lewis, KG6BAJ
>email: aec.westside at ncares.us
>530-273-3126 Ext 19 - home / Office