Cold and wet sums up the weather on Sunday, June 4th, in the Rampart Range. Both motorcycle riders and ARES R1D5 members commented that this was the wettest event in recent memory. Despite less-than-optimal weather, ARES R1D5 members prevailed and found ways to stay warm, dry, and provide communication services, including GPS tracking via radio of members and key riders.
The event was hosted by the RRMMC (Rampart Range Motorcycle Management Committee), an all-volunteer, nonprofit corporation founded in 1972 to work with the Forest Service to promote and preserve the riding opportunities in the Rampart Range. In 1979, in an attempt to provide a stable source of funding for the activities of the RRMMC, the group began hosting a non-competitive poker run on the trails of Rampart for dirt bike riders. This tradition continues today with the annual Spring and Fall Poker Runs, usually held in mid-June and mid to late-September. ARES R1D5 provides radio communications for the event by staffing a command trailer, manning checkpoints, and riding/driving the trails and roads.
While ARES R1D5 participation with the event does not date back to 1979 it is one of the groups older, reoccurring events and certainly a favorite. Having participated in the Poker Runs for several years you see old friend and make new one. In addition, the Rampart Range Road is a very scenic, unpaved drive that include some picturesque landscape. The Rampart Range is part of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and is almost entirely public land within the Pike National Forest.
ARES R1D5 thanks the following volunteers:
MC: AG7U – Jerry Jenkins
Deputy MC: K0BOM – Chris Peralta
Net Control: AD0UZ – Brennan Pate
Alt Net Control: WB0EVA – Dick Bush (also responsible for digipeating setup)
Rover: W6AUN – Perry Lundquist
Forward Observer: K7AIH – Mike Langhenry
Checkpoints:
AB0VZ – Walt Burn
KG7KWW – Stephen Roberts
W0BDT – Brad Tombaugh
KF0KSA – Chris Nehring
N0TEQ – Tom Queen
AB7II – James Heidingsfelder
KE0KFB – Hal Jennings
KC0KCE – David Lowe
KC0MQC – Richard Trow
K8ZTT – Dick Williams
W0ARP – Wayne Graves
K0EWF – Eric Freund
KT0AM – Mark Allsop
Mobilization / De-Mobilization Monitor: WA0EEG – Bob Paige
