American Lung Association Two
Rock and Roll
After Ride Report
David
Sawyer K1DRS
david@davesgoldwing.com
06/01/2003
The Two Rock and Roll is but a memory now but it ended up being a fond memory. The Two Rock and Roll is a 3 course 65, 34 and 10-mile event hosted by the American Lung association held for it’s 6th year in Petaluma, Calif. We, BA-MARC, started the day early with me heading out the door with plans to meet up with the rest of the group along the highway. At O Dark Thirty (that’s 4:30 AM for you civilians) my bike packed with appropriate event signs and paperwork and the large Comet Midol antenna (fondly referred to as the fishing pole). On the road I was able to get a hold of Larry McDonald K6ACE who was waiting for my signal before leaving the house. 20 minutes later going through Milpitas there is Larry waiting on the side of the road with flashers on and bike running. We tool up the highway and we hear from Don Webber KA7QQV who tells us he is heading out and will meet us at the start finish. Passing through Fremont we contacted JP Rouland NQ6T. We pull over and wait a few minutes and JP then arrives. We make our way through the night (and chilly morning) heading north into the fog and light mist. We chatted with Adrian Wadley KG6MRC along the way until we finally arrive in Petaluma, CA (100 mile trip for me).
Arriving at the start/finish by 6:10 AM, I am already impressed. Net Control is already there and on the air. They are using the local Fire Department emergency response communications trailer. The event organizers are already in full swing setting up tables, canopies, signing in bicycle riders and signing in the volunteers. The coffee was already hot and available and they had donuts, bagels and muffins to snack on.
I gave our roster to Net Control and he quickly gathered up our required t-shirt sizes and within minutes he was handing us t-shirts (as if we really need them).
Distributed signs and a roster to all the motors, Larry had a re-ride briefing where he assigned everybody routes to ride. We were greeted with colored maps and by 7:00 AM we were prepared and on the course. Everybody chipped in jumped on their bikes and started out on the 65-mile course with plans to head to their assigned courses as they opened up.
Riding along the course I was impressed if not amazed at how well the course was marked. While I did hear chatter on the radio from different people about the lack of some signs I found no problems on the 65 mile course. Each turn was marked with a painted (color coded to the map color) ALA logo on the ground at what looked like 50 feet and then 20 feet before the turn and the logo was pointed in the direction that they were supposed to turn. Additionally there was another logo painted after the turn. Coming up to the first rest stop I found it was in full swing and ready to go. Driving along the rest of the course I found all the rest stops the same way. There was not the usual confusing chatter that I have been used to hearing about missing supplies for a rest stop or missing personnel. The rest stops were well manned with water, Gatorade, bike mechanics, fruit and other munchies.
The event ran very well. There were no serious injuries reported through the day. A couple of minor falls that resulted in some scrapes and bruises and one lady who apparently sprained her hip. There was s serious pollen problem in the area that caused many of the riders to suffer hay fever attaches and asthma attacks, some so severe they had to be sagged off the course. Lots of flat tires along the course but happily most all of the bicycles I encountered were well prepared with tubes and repair kits as well as working air pumps. A rarity in many of the other events.
The Petaluma/Santa Rosa area is some of the most beautiful Northern California country road riding you would ever have the pleasure to experience. Beautiful scenery of farms, ranches, rolling hills, winding roads and while the morning started out chilly and with some patchy fog it burned off mid morning to beautiful sunshine that ended up being a very warm day.
I want to thank everyone who volunteered for this event. We even had Ray Davis KD6FNH who rode up from Irvine, CA the day before to help out with the event. I believe a good time was had by all.
|
Name |
Callsign |
Tactical Call |
|
Larry McDonald |
K6ACE |
Motor 1 |
|
David Sawyer |
K1DRS |
Motor 2 |
|
Don Weber |
KA7QQV |
Motor 3 |
|
Adrian Wadley |
KG6MRC |
Motor 4 |
|
JP Rouland |
NQ6T |
Motor 5 |
|
Ray Davis |
KD6FHN |
Motor 6 |
We supported in excess of 650 bicycle riders, no info on the amount of money yet, but if you figure $35.00 donation per rider multiply by 650 then it would be in excess of $22,000 for this one event for the American Lung Association.
We finished our event day by 3:30 PM that afternoon with Larry trailing the last rider, we were provided some tasty BBQ turkey for lunch and we then headed back home. I personally was back in the Garage by 5:30 that night.
Thank again to everyone for helping and working so very hard for this event. Without all of you it would not have been as successful as it was.
David Sawyer
K1DRS
