Arrastra Saddle

Field report from the Tour de Fronds

The Club supported the Tour de Fronds with radio-assisted rider tracking. At one point Gary N6BLU, acting as a roving station, stopped to assist a rider who was having difficulty breathing. He called for rider assistance.

A sag wagon picked up the rider somewhere in the “Cruiser Crush” loop. The Myrtle Point ambulance arrived at Arrastra Saddle but ultimately, the rider refused transport and rode the wagon back to powers.

Zach gets the award for most weathered member, having operated his station from his motorcycle. The handheld radio is attached to the handlebars of his bike.

As a first-timer, I felt welcome and benefited from a ton of support. Thanks Chuck KN7FM for showing how all the tracking works and for helping with the Circus Tent.

In all, it was murky and cool all day, never getting warmer than 44F. The sun broke through very briefly three or four times. By the end, our boots were muddy and I was tired. Can’t imagine what it was like to ride all that way on a bicycle.

It was a blast.

Control cleared us to evacuate Arrastra Saddle at 17:00. Getting down the mountain behind the last few riders was slow. I left the rider records and clip boards with ‘net control, but wound up with the credentials.

As I rolled for home, radio traffic indicated that Gary was still following riders … still some 20 miles from Powers?

I hate to ask, but what time did you folks finally call a halt to operations?