[PPRAANet] Public Service Event May 14 - Tour de Cure

[Rob Roller N7LV]

As was mentioned at the Wednesday PPRAA meeting ....


The American Diabetes Assn has asked for ham radio assistance from the
Colorado Springs community.  Dan Scott received the initial request from the
Denver office of the ADA, and given the scope of the ride, it seems in the
best interest of the ride to get several groups involved to provide comm for
this event.  It originates in Woodland Park so we're also starting to
coordinate with Mountain ARC, and ARES has had numerous bicycle ride support
missions, so ARES is helping too.  In other words, PPRAA, MARC and PPARES
are sources for operators.

Here's the info:

May 14 - Tour de Cure Bicycle Ride - Public Service Event

American Diabetes Assn - Tour de Cure

Some of this information is from the ADA Tour de Cure planning guide.

Welcome to the 2011 Southern Colorado Tour de Cure!

We are currently planning the INAUGURAL Southern Colorado Tour de Cure and
it's promising to be a fantastic event! We have secured routes, safety &
medical support and have an extraordinary post-ride party at the finish
line! This guide contains information to help you prepare for the Tour de
Cure and tips to ensure you have a great experience on the day of the ride.
It's fun and most importantly it's for a great cause - raising funds in
support of the 24 million Americans living with diabetes and their families.

Route Descriptions

The Southern Colorado Tour de Cure begins at Meadow Wood Sports Complex
located at 2000 Evergreen Heights, Woodland Park. There are four routes
designed to appeal to all skill levels. Routes include:

14-Mile Fun Ride:   Our family-friendly Fun Ride is accessible to all ages
and fitness levels and features beautiful views on a smooth bike path that
follows Highway 67.

50-Mile Ride:   Our 50 Mile Ride offers a moderate challenge while being
safe and scenic. Frequent rest stops and plenty of SAG (Support and Gear)
patrols make this ride a great choice for the beginner to intermediate
cyclist.

86-Mile Ride:   Our 86 Mile Ride features 6,100 feet of climbing and some of
the most beautiful scenery in Southern Colorado as it follows the South
Platte and then climbs back into Woodland Park with a panoramic view of
Pikes Peak , making it the perfect choice for the intermediate to advanced
cyclist. Full route support, including rest stops, medical stations,
mechanics and SAG vehicles ensures a safe ride from start to finish.

Mountain Bike Route:   Our Mountain Bike Course will be challenging enough
for your intermediate cyclist but still fun for our beginner riders. Nestled
in the Pike National Forest surrounding Woodland Park, this route proves to
be one of the best in Colorado!

All of the rides start and end at the Meadow Wood Sports Complex in woodland
Park, and proceed north up CO Hwy 67 to Deckers, then loops around through
Foxton and Buffalo Creek, and back to Deckers, then down to Woodland Park.
The shorter rides don't go as far.

For amateur radio support:

We will need volunteer operators for rest stops, start/stop area, shadows
for key personnel, and likely operators with some of the tour vehicles.
Also, the tour will be using motorcycle riders (Gold Wing Riders) who will
be communicating to each other on CB.  Those of you with CB capability can
make use of the 11-meter band to keep in touch with those riders when
they're in range of your location.

The communications and mission plan is in the works, so that will be ready
some time in the near future.

If you've wanting to participate in a public service event, this looks to be
a fun and interesting one.  So I hope you can!  To sign up, visit
http://www.wavelinedata.com/ARESPSE and look for the section on the Tour de
Cure.  (Al Glock KC0PRM will be updating this web site shortly, if it's not
already there.)

This ride will be a topic of discussion at the March PPRAA meeting on 3/9,
and also at the MARC March meeting on 3/16.  Tune in to the nets for
additional information.

Plans and support information will be posted to the ppares.org web site as
well.

There will likely be hams from PPRAA, MARC and PPARES, and possibly people
from other groups such as Park Co. Radio Club, ARES D-23 (Jefferson Co) and
ARES D-24 (Douglas Co), depending on our needs and how our coordination
goes.

73
Rob
N7LV