Weather was great, radio propagation not so much. That notwithstanding ARESDEC volunteers made it work. This was the 3rd year that ARESDEC has volunteered to provide communications, SAG (Support & Gear – keep everyone safe, provide tools and bike support, and help shepherd the ride), and Sweep (staying at the back of the bicycle ride to make sure no one is left behind) services. ARESDEC members volunteered their time, vehicles, tools, and radio equipment to cover ~80 miles of bicycle race routes near McNeil Ranch at Peaceful Valley and to provide safety and incident command.
The Mad Gravel Bike Race is a competitive event that is held annually on Memory Day weekend. There were three racecourses. The “Hemi Hustle” was a 30-mile route with ~120 participants. The “Hemi 50” was a 50-mile route with ~300 cyclists. Finally, the “Hemi” is a 100-mile route with ~100 riders; however, due to previous day storms the route was shorted to 80-miles and had a delayed start to allow dirt road conditions an opportunity to dry and improve.
Thank you ARESDEC volunteers:
MC – Dick Williams, K8ZTT
NCS – Jerry Jenkins, AG7U
ANCS – Walt Burns, AB0VZ
Shadow/SAG Backup – Brennan Pate, AD0UZ
Sweep/SAG – Perry Lundquist, W6AUN
Sweep/SAG – Willem Schreuder, AC0KQ
Sweep/SAG – Mike Langhenry, K7AIH
Sweep/SAG – Alex Onken-Bennett, W0AJO
Sweep/SAG – James Heidingsfelder, AB7II
Sweep/SAG – Kelly English, W0KDE
Aid Station – Tom Queen,N0TEQ
Aid Station – Dirk Malsch, N2PDQ
Aid Station – Chris Nehring, KF0KSA
Aid Station – Dick Bush, WB0EVA
Aid Station – Wayne Graves, W0ARP
Aid Station – Hal Jennings, KD0KFB
Aid Station – Steven Roberts, KG7KWW
