On SUNDAY August 2nd, the Frederick Amateur Radio Club will be supporting the Shed Enduro mountain cycling event. A few fun facts:
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Approximately 240 cyclists will complete up to eight electronically-timed downhill courses.
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The event is staged in the greater Frederick Watershed, from Thorpewood and south, mostly along the eastern-facing side of the ridge
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There are four rider “levels” or course options – expert, pro, sport and sprint.
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Cyclists begin at Thorpewood at 7:30am. Upon reaching Gate #1, cyclists will be released down the hill in 30-second intervals
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After Gate #1 downhill race, the course diverges, as riders head to different gates, depending on their level.
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Radio operators will staff and marshal starting gates and higher-risk course locations.
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The first spots will open at 6:30am and the event will complete in the mid to late afternoon.
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The course start gates have rolling opening times. For example, staffing at Gate 1 begins at 7am and Gate 8 staff needs to be in place just before noon.
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We’ll be working with Austere Medical Professionals, an all-volunteer medic team, who will be on-hand to assist with any injuries.
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While most of the terrain is handheld-friendly, there are a few spots that might require an enhanced antenna. We will likely deploy at least one cross-band radio to support one very un-repeater-friendly spot.
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Please don’t allow lack of equipment to prevent you from volunteering – we have loaner radios for all occasions!
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Some, but not all of the operating locations have nearby parking. The event folks will provide All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)-based transportation to any of the radio operator locations – however this might require earlier arrival, as the transport folks will be very busy all over the course. This event will likely require at least some amount of walking.
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