Since 1992 (the first record I found), the Lake Wales Repeater Association or, 'LWRA' for short, has been called on for additional radio communications support in the Polk County portion of the annual "Tour of Sebring" bicycle tour. The 2007 tour this year had over 400 riders signed up. That's an increase from last year.
Just just 3 of members- John KC4KLM, JACK K4BYF, and Pete K4APX from the LWRA were available to cover points along the 'Century' (100 mile) portion of the ride as it is called. Other support for the Polk portion came in the form of S.A.G. wagons and other radio controlled vehicles roving around Polk to fill the gaps. Not all riders will do the full 100 miles. But for those that do, this is where members from the LWRA assist. Jack K4BYF counted 134 riders go by his Checkpoint in East Lake Wales.
We would like to thank the Bartow EOC group for the use of the 146.985 Repeater. Operators ended up using the Repeater exclusively once activity started to occur in Polk due to it's excellent 'full scale' coverage, even way out in the 'sticks'.
Riders filling water bottles at the Lake Wales rest stop before resuming.
This tour turned out to be a very safe one. Only minor scrapes, cramps, and bike mechanical issues. John KC4KLM reported in a disoriented rider on the route as notified by another rider pulling into the Lake Wales Rest stop. Jack K4BYF reported a rider with a 'Charlie horse' and to keep watch for him along the course. Pete K4APX reported riders missing the critical turn at his check point in the middle of no where. Good thing Pete was there to assist or a few riders would have peddled further into a long nowhere.
There were also reports of riders becoming confused, some turning back, due to lack of markings on SR 17 between Babson Park and Lake Wales. Normally we have two LWRA members in this area on watch, but were very short handed this year. Typically we need nine volunteers to cover the Polk portion, positioned at dangerous intersections or places where riders might miss turns. A few wise riders opted for a 'pick up', and thus ended the tour for them, once they reached the Lake Reedy rest stop for the second time. I can't blame them as they had already pedaled over 77 miles with no shade and hot temperatures this day.
Relaxing in the shade.
It seemed like a different bunch of riders this time. Not many fancy bikes this time, although the first bike to arrive at the Lake Wales rest stop was a two-seater. There were more middle aged riders overall so it seemed. I don't recall any youth riders. Nearly all the riders this time were strong riders. That is, the first pack of riders was about 30, and the next few packs of riders pulling into the Lake Wales rest stop were quite large too. Jack K4BYF says that first 100 riders went by his check point in East Lake Wales in an hours time. There were not the steady stream of riders we are accustomed to seeing. And 'stragglers' ,or those that are really taking their time and enjoy the ride, were almost nonexistent this time. I'd put the straggler count at just 2. The times from the first rider to the last rider to pass a location was typically just 2 hours and 20 minutes. That seems to be the norm each year.
Prepareing to 'hit the road' again. At the half way point, only 50 miles to go!
For the Amateur Radio operator, this event can be fun and you become useful by putting your skills to service for the public to see. As you know, Amateur Radio needs all the publicity the hobby/service to community can get. All you need is a decent portable/mobile communications setup (you already have that don't you?), and a couple hours of your time, one day in the year. Would you consider helping out next Labor Day weekend? The more support we have, the smoother the event goes.
Thank you's go out to Jack K4BYF for always being there for the club and tour, Pete K4APX who has been extremely busy of late but still made time to come out and help, Jerry W4WDK for once again- excellent tour coordination and his assuring calmness, Paul NA4AR and the 'Big Stick' group for use to their Repeaters for parts of the tour, John KF4IZT for 'connecting the dots out there' and the rest who had a hand in the 2007 Sebring bike tour. Great job to all.
Article by John KC4KLM