[nrv-hams] Communications-SAG support for a casual ride on Aug 20th,

[Patrick Johnson]

Group,

Anyone up for providing communications-SAG support for a low key ride
on August 20th?  BTW this is move in day at Tech so an excellent
excuse to get out of Blacksburg-C'burg for the day.

Below is the info I received from Kathy.  No idea which repeaters
cover the route, definately sounds more casual than Mountains.

What we're looking for are (at least) two more SAG drivers. Minimum
requirement: A way to haul bicycles, on a rack or in the bed of a
pick-up truck (old blankets or other padding recommended); and a beefy
pump. A few other tools would be a bonus.

I have a spare rack that should strap to the back/ trunk of any car or
SUV. (I "inherited" it and have never used it.) However, sometimes
racks like that can mark up a vehicle -- scuffs, minor scratches,
possibly chipped paint. So I wouldn't put it on a newish vehicle.

Mechanical skills are not required. The Burkes Garden Century riders
know they are expected to be self-sufficient. If someone has a serious
mechanical failure, he/ she will probably just bail -- and one of us
SAG drivers will take the cyclist back to the parking lot. For tire or
cable issues, it's do-it-yourself, with the tire, tube, or cable
supplied by SAG, if needed. And they must pay, up front or via
billing, for the repair item.

So, we'll carry some tires, tubes, and cables, plus some fluids and
snacks. We may not use any of our supplies, but the riders will be
reassured to see us patrolling the course. Some of the most valuable
things I've done for BGC: Mark a really big, really rough section of
the road on the Burkes Garden loop with orange paint; and pitch a dead
'possum over the hillside, from the steep road in and out of Burkes
Garden!

As for rider numbers

Burkes Garden is, of course, a much less formal ride, with a lot fewer
riders -- I think about 125 -- and a single route.

Information about the race and course can be found at
https://burkesgarden.eventbrite.com/

If interested please contact

Kathy Rohr
<krohr at vt.edu>

73s,
Patrick
KJ4TRT