SAN ANTONIO’S 2009 bikeMS RIDE
CHANGES COME TO AN OLD FRIEND
By H. Milton Johnson, N5HMJ
On Feb. 18, the rumors about changes to the “Bike to the Beach” were confirmed. In a press conference held at the Alamodome, Tony Ralf of the Lone Star Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society announced the changes. Here is a summary of those changes:
· Event Name: Bike MS Valero 2009 Alamo Ride to the River
· When: October 3 – 4, 2009
· Where: San Antonio-New Braunfels-San Antonio
· Begins at San Antonio Alamodome on Saturday, Oct. 3
· Travels through picturesque Texas Hill Country
· Cyclists can participate for one or two days
· Day one options include 75 or 100 mile rides
· Century Ride includes an additional 25 miles along the scenic River Road from Gruene through Sattler and back
· Multiple mileage options to attract both families and experienced cyclists alike
· Overnight outside Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in New Braunfels
· Return on day two to San Antonio
· Tour highlights include Texas historic landmarks The Alamo and Fort Sam Houston, as well as lunch stops in Seguin in LaVernia
· Offers convenience to San Antonio residents and surrounding communities
· Fully-supported ride will feature smooth road surfaces
· Includes complete coordination between traffic control, safety and medical teams, cyclists and volunteers
· Registration opens March 2 in conjunction with National MS Awareness Week
· The map of the new route is available at the ride’s web site: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/bikeMSValero2009/index.aspx
I know that many of us have mixed feelings about this change, so let me explain the motivations for the change. The motivation is a simple desire to increase the number of riders that participate. While the amount of money raised has increased, it has been due to an aggressive campaign to court corporate sponsors. Attempts to increase the number of riders have not succeeded, for the six years I have been involved with the Bike to the Beach, the maximum number of riders has been ~3,300. The problem has not been with attracting new riders, 58% of the riders registered for the 2008 Bike to the Beach were first time registrants. This means that in order to increase the rider participation something has to be done to increase the percentage of returning riders.
The MSS (Multiple Sclerosis Society) has conducted surveys looking at the reasons why riders are not returning. The reasons cited include:
· The rough road surface
· The never ending construction
· The length of the first day’s ride (~92 miles)
· The long ride back to San Antonio at the end of Day 2
This is what motivated the search for a new route. Routes to the north, south, east and west were examined and rejected for various reasons, no suitable overnight destination, too hilly, undesirable road conditions, etc. So after an exhaustive search, the new route was chosen. It will take 2-3 years to determine if the changes succeed in increasing rider participation.
SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE AMATEUR RADIO VOLUNTEERS?
There will be changes, both anticipated and unanticipated. Sure the basic positions remain the same, i.e. Breakpoints, SAGs, Medical, Safety and Shadows, and the duties of those positions remain the same. However we will be working in a new environment and under new conditions. While some of the new conditions should be an improvement, such as repeater coverage, there will be unknowns that will present new challenges. Will your particular breakpoint be in an RF hole? Where will we be subject to QRM? Where will an HT work and not work?
To meet these new challenges we will have to be prepared and flexible. These are characteristics that define Amateur Radio Operators so we should be able to meet those challenges. Some pre-ride preparations need to be addressed by the cadre of ham organizers which include Alfred Horn (KG5QW), Barry Hiddema (W5BLH), Curtis Rabenaldt (N5QPN), Gordon Dial (K5SUZ), Lyle Turner (KB5BSU), Mary Anne Horn (N5MYN), Milton Johnson (N5HMJ), Neil Martin (WA5FSR), Ray McLeaird (KE5KHN), Shane O’Neal, NS5D) and Stanley Stanukinos (KA5IID). In addition we will also be taking advantage of the many hams the live, work and travel along the new route. The preparations include assessing repeater coverage, creating a frequency plan, performing radio checks at each breakpoint and along the course, determining course layout and signage, how our safety and medical teams will work with the safety and medical personnel in each county and municipality, etc. There are also preparations that every Amateur Radio volunteer needs to take. These preparations include:
· Dual Band Ability: If you don’t have VHF/UHF capability now is the time start working on it.
· Cross-band Ability: This tool increases your flexibility to operate in an RF hole and to increase the usefulness of a handheld radio.
· Antennas: If you are working from a fixed location can you put an antenna 15 feet in the air? This is a great ability when working in a fringe area or in a RF hole. Is it time to upgrade the rubber ducky on your HT?
· Batteries/Power: Has your HT battery been dying? Could you use a second HT battery? If you normally use a generator have you performed any maintenance on it? Do you have a battery backup?
· Condition of Equipment: Now is the time to methodically check your equipment and repair/replace as needed.
· Manuals: Can you program all your radios in the field. Now is the time to gather all your instruction manuals into one binder. Try manually programming a new channel before you get in the field.
No matter how well we prepare there will be unexpected challenges during the ride. When these problems arise we will have to meet them with our typical MacGyver abilities. This is nothing new for the Amateur Radio operator.
For us the job remains the same, to safely move >3,000 bike riders ~150 miles over a two day period. This logistical challenge depends on our ability to provide communications. It is the efforts and professionalism of our Amateur Radio community that has made this event a success over the past 19+ years. I hope that we can count on your continued support to make the ride a success in the future.
Thank you,
Milton Johnson – N5HMJ
