Bicycle Tour of the Lakes
Aided by BAARC June 2, 2001
Bicycle Tour of the Lakes
Aided by BAARC June 2, 2001
Another of our several Public Service Events is now history and it gave us not
only the feeling of accomplishment, but of knowledge and satisfaction for
something well done. This was the sixth annual such event and undoubtedly one of
the fun events in which we participate. The Bicycle Tour is not a race, but is
an event which results in raising of funds for the benefit of others, namely,
youth who will be presented with helmets to be worn while riding their bikes, as
well as a fun event.
Our day began at 0415, with a temperature of about 42 degrees and mist, ending at 1700, with a temperature of about 64 degrees, with lots of action and some inaction between. The actual Bike Tour beginning at 0600 and ending for us about 1600 on Saturday, 2 June. Headquarters was at the Pequot Lakes High School with two tours: 36 and 71 miles. No this is not a race. It is a fun ride for approximately 1200 riders, over multiple types of terrain and as many different kinds of roads.
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Orcy Lyle
WØQT pointing out a map location to Net Control Operator George Swanson
KCØBH during the event. Looking on from the background is John
Meyer W3MQD.
Photo courtesy of George Swanson KCØBH. |
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The
riders assemble in the morning hours.
Photo courtesy of Terry May KIØFW. |
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Part of a group from Thunder Bay Ontario Canada. Photo courtesy of Eldon Reeves WØMQO.
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Joe
Bayliss NØUME helps with net control.
Photo courtesy of Terry May KIØFW. |
Our participation involved keeping track of the activities and sometimes the inactivity's of the many participants on the two tours, who ranged in age from about 7 years, to over 70 years, operating single and double bikes of all descriptions. As usual, there was a contingent from our northern neighbor, Canada, along with others from various parts of the upper Mid-west. Our participants reported the progress, or lack thereof, of the cyclists. This project involved the use of our 147.03 repeater, which is located in the same general area as the tours. Hand-held and mobile radios, mostly with 5/8th wave antennas, were the equipment necessary for the reporting to Net Control operator, George Swanson, KCØBH, who was located in the Pequot Lakes High School.
A single injury occurred, in which a cyclist got too close to another, before starting to pass and collided with the cycle he was attempting to pass. An ambulance crew checked out injuries and the cyclist involved, apparently sustained minor scratches and scrapes. Our participating operators covered both the long and short tours by assignment to various critical locations, including the 4 rest stops along the two tours, with some of them cruising across several miles and reporting in the progress of the participants.
Participating this year, were BAARC members: Terry, KIØFW; Jim, KBØTXT; Sharon, KBØSQX; Orcy, WØQT; Joe, NØUME; Eldon, WØMQO; John, W3MQD; Bob, KGØZK; George, KCØBH; Alan, AAØAS; Jim, KCØANQ and Ken, KAØJSW. In addition, Justin, KBØYSZ, participated as a SAG Wagon operator and reported in, as well as being sent to various locations for bike repairs.
Following the end of our operation, the Chairperson, Sharon Bodie visited us and expressed her personal, as well as the Tour Committee's, thanks and congratulations for a job well done. In particular, she was continually kept abreast of the progress of the two separate tours, both the leading and the trailing riders.
This page was last updated 12/19/2006
