Curious about Bike Patrol?

P1020280_01by Roseann Wagner
Having participated in bike patrol, I decided to talk to Walt Paciorek, an instructor of the program. Good events require a lot of time and organization led by dedicated people. Here is a way you can give back to a sport that has perhaps given you a great deal of fun.

The information is Walt’s take on the program. The pictures are mine.

The mission of Perimeter Bicycling’s Bike Patrol Program is to provide assistance, encouragement, and support for the participants of Perimeter events. Patrollers offer mechanical assistance, first aid as needed and encouragement to successfully finish the ride.

Perimeter Bike Patrol is a group of nearly 300 certified cyclists who bring enthusiasm for cycling and a deep pool of experience to ensure the success of thousands of riders in Perimeter events every year.

There is also an award for outstanding Bike Patrol in each event.
And of course, all Bike Patrol receive a finisher’s medallion.

Who can participate?

The typical bike patroller is a fit, experienced, and enthusiastic cyclist with basic mechanical skills (fix a flat, correct a thrown chain); knows and practices the rules and procedures of safe cycling, and is willing to assist and encourage other cyclists. A basic understanding of first aid is helpful but not required.
Different ride distances are available to accommodate all ages and sizes of riders. You ride at your own pace (preferably with a partner), but plan on many stops to help riders.

How much does it pay?

For a modest processing fee you get to ride a great event, a striking yellow tee-shirt, a cool medallion, excellent sag stops, and a priceless amount of appreciation and satisfaction. While maybe not rock-star status, you will receive many positive strokes from those you help or who have been helped by others in the past.

What do I have to do to qualify?

Register, attend a certification course, show up early to help at the start, and agree to do all you
can to ensure participants will have a safe and fun event. If you are uncertain about your qualifications, you may request to be paired with an experienced Bike Patroller or team. Review the Bike Patrol Manual (available on-line) before you attend the certification class. Classes are normally held several times each fall; and are held in both Phoenix and Tucson.

How long do I have to be at the event?

Be there early to help at the start, complete the ride, check in at the finish, pick up your
medallion, and then you are finished.

Why is patrol necessary?

A surprising number of riders will need your assistance. They appreciate getting back on the road promptly without a long wait for sag assistance. Bike Patrollers are the eyes and ears of the tour, ready to report or correct problems and assist with mechanical, medical, and motivational emergencies in real time.

Do I have to provide tubes and tire-changing tools?

You will be advised about what tools are useful at the certification class. You may receive a tube or two at packet pickup. Most riders will have their own tubes. A few will not. I always carry a few patched road bike tubes for those who need them and a glue-less (Park is the best) patch kit for odd-sized wheels.

What are other duties of bike patrol?

Assistance, encouragement, and support are paramount. Call in or text every time you stop to provide assistance, or at least at every sag stop. If you observe riders behaving badly or breaking event rules, ask them to mend their ways. If they do not cooperate, report their rider numbers and the circumstances via text, call, or at the next sag stop. There will be consequences.

What do I do if I encounter a crash?

Secure safety for any victims and, if serious, call 911. Provide any first aid that you comfortably can. Stay until help arrives or you are certain a rider can continue. Report the incident via text or call. Complete a report form for all but simple events handled on-site. There can be an events that will be challenging. Some examples I have encountered are hypothermia, hyponatremia, diabetic incidents, heat distress, and severe cramps. These are mid-level events that can be treated on-site if caught early, but can also require professional medical attention. You will make the call – treat, call for support/pickup, or call 911.

What should I do to be prepared?

Be sure your own bike is in good shape before the ride. Bring a fully-charged cell phone.
Between the Bike Patrol Manual and the certification class, you will be prepared. Ride with a partner for fun, efficiency in carrying out duties, and assistance when needed.
If you are interested in being a part of bike patrol, visit perimeterbicycling.com/bike-patrol to learn more and sign up.

P1020292_01

26th Annual Pinnacle Peak Pedalers Potluck

Girmelle Jones, initiator of the Annual New Years Day PPP Usery Park potluck.
Gurnelle Jones, initiator of the Annual New Years Day PPP Usery Park potluck.

by Roseann Wagner

When I arrived at the Usery Mountain Regional  Park for the 2015 version of the New Years Day Pinnacle Peak Peddlers potluck at 9:00 A.M. the thermometer registered 34º. When I left at 1:15 P.M., the thermometer showed 42º. What transpired in that 8º window?

First order of business, get that 40-cup coffee pot perking. Set out all the utensils and plates. Cups for not only coffee, and cocoa, but champagne with which to toast the New Year are set out. Thereʼs a table for hot dishes, a table for desserts, and several tables for socializing.

IMG_0324_01People start to arrive with food, chairs, and blankets. Since I was nursing a cough and sneezes, I brought my heater and a heating pad. Considering Arizona weather, I layered because certainly I assumed Iʼd get too warm with a cotton turtle neck, a wool vest, a wool sweater and a rain jacket. NOT! I appreciated my wool socks and all the other trappings that I hauled out there.

Regulars who  ride from Ahwatukee / Tempe to the picnic site at Usery Mountain Regional Park, from  left to right, Walt Paciorek who has led a ride before the potluck each year for six  years, Roy Kopel, Bob Prochaska, long-time ride leader of the Sun Lakes Bicycle
Regulars who ride from Ahwatukee / Tempe to the picnic site at Usery Mountain Regional Park, from left to right, Walt Paciorek who has led a ride before the potluck each year for six years, Roy Kopel, Bob Prochaska, long-time ride leader of the Sun Lakes Bicycle

Cyclists gathered at Ramada D-1 around 10 :30 for a 20 mile ride around the area led by Walt Paciorek. Walt shared the following, a cue sheet for the ride and a bit of local lore:

PPP ’15 Ride – 20 miles (one major climb), 23 miles (climbs), 30 miles (lots of
climbs)

  • Mile 0 Exit the picnic area and proceed to the park Entrance
  • 1.2 Turn right on Usery Pass Road
  • 4.6 Right on Bush Highway
  • 9.8 Entrance to Water Users Camp Circle (return for 20 mile ride)
  • 11.4 Saguaro Lake Road (proceed to Marina and return for 23 mile ride)
  • 12.3 Butcher Jones turnoff
  • 15.2 Butcher Jones Beach (and back for 30 mile ride)

At the close of the 19th Century, Dr. Walter William Jones, a physician-rancher, ran cattle from the Lower Salt River to the foothills of Four Peaks. “Butcher” was a common nickname for physicians during this period. After the Stewart Mountain Dam was completed and Saguaro Lake filled in 1930, a cove and beach were named “Butcher Jones” by those who remembered the good doctor. “Usery” comes from King Usery, who had a ranch around there at the same time. Jack Stewart also ranched the area, apparently just after Jones and Usery.

Weddings are announced
Weddings are announced

As Waltʼs group returned and cyclists biked in from Sun Lakes and Tempe, the socializing began in earnest. No one had to be called twice for food–hearty chili and other nourishing hot food.

A new feature of the gathering this year was a collection of bike clothes and bike parts that have been sent to Lon Haldeman of PAC Tour who for the last decade has nurtured biking in S. America and Africa as well as furnishing books to orphanages and building schools in Lima, Peru.

A toast to our beloved leader, Gurnelle Jones  who  passed away at age 90 in 2010
A toast to our beloved leader, Gurnelle Jones who passed away at age 90 in 2010

This is how Lon describes the events: “For the past five years the racing club in Lima, Peru has been organizing a two-day-stage race in the northern part of the city.  The reason it is called the Gringo Race is because all the prizes have been donated by PAC Tour riders and other American cyclists.  This race has the best prizes of any event in Peru. We will take over 250 jerseys, shorts and various cycling supplies to Peru. The first stage is an 80 KM road race through the desert sand dunes. The next day is a 20 KM criterium through the small streets of the town of Puente Piedra. There will be about 200 riders in various age groups attending the races”.

This year on New Years Day, we collected many items including a dozen bike shorts, forty-three jerseys of all kinds, four helmets Trek, Giro, etc., shoes, 6 pair, socks, some never worn, 9 jackets, some light,  some heavy, seven tubes, a box of water bottles plus, several Camelbacks, bike bags and fanny packs and bike parts to use for repair It cost $195 to ship three boxes all from donations.

Snow in them thar  hills did not deter seven  brave riders. New Years, 2011
Snow in them thar hills did not deter seven brave riders. New Years, 2011

Within days, the reservation for the next annual PPP potluck are made by Walt.