That’s right. August rolls to an end here this next week and rolls right into the Tour de Fat! The greatest bike parade and fest lumbers into town on September 5th with wacky bikes, original entertainment, and several thousand of your best friends. We are still in need of VOLUNTEERS. Help us make this day a success. The Tour de Fat benefits Bike Fort Collins and Overland Mountain Bike Club. Thanks ahead of time.Two Trail Days
This comes from Mary and Doug who helped us divide and conquer over the weekend of August 15th.
“ The Curt Gowdy Trail day was a success. About 30 people came out to work on the trails including 15 members of Boy Scout Troup 101 from Wyoming. The trail work involved placing culverts, planting sign posts and rock armoring the soggy areas. Rock On wheels of Laramie provided a spaghetti lunch for everyone and although it rained throughout the day much was accomplished.”
And as mentioned last week, the trail day on the Shoreline Section of the Foothills trail was a success also. Check out last week’s post for more info.
A Couple of Helpful Patrollers
Many of us have taken the training to become ‘Certified Mountain Bike Patrollers’ for Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol. We go through First Aid and CPR classes. We meet with land agencies. We learn how to help people with mechanical issues, etc. And even though we spend the hours doing these things, not many of us get a chance to put our skills, especially our medical skills, into play, aside from bandaging our own injuries, of course. I guess this is a good thing, but it’s also a good thing to have those skills.
Recently, however, Patrollers Bill and Jess were out on the trail when their skills came into play with a rider who had a head injury. Here’s a little bit from both of them.
Bill: "…As we were loading up the truck at the trailhead, a man came up and asked if we could help him. His wife had had a bad crash coming down the trail… When we got to her, you could tell things were a little fuzzy but she was a trooper. Her helmet was cracked in a few places but it had done its job… Head injuries are always scary and even though I have more than basic first aid training the important thing to remember is to always stay calm. If you're calm and joking with them, they'll stay calm and be observant. Fortunately she was at the trailhead so the rangers arrived quickly an evacuation was quick and simple. From what I understand, she’s going to be fine… So don't ever think that bike patrols aren’t important. You never know."
Jess: (Who had crashed earlier on her ride with Bill and was in a bit of pain.) "…When we got there she was definitely a little loopy. She surely wasn't very sure of anything, but at least she was smiling and aware that she wasn't very aware. We hung out with her. Bill checked her out. The rangers showed up (three trucks worth)... I kept doing my best to tell bad jokes and stay out of the way.... I did ONE useful thing – blankets are a good thing. I helped keep her warm… They stuck her on one of those backboards and off she went. Poor girl. Glad I was there to bring some femininity to the whole male cavalcade of ubber-trained professionals swarming the area. I must say, it was quite the show for a mild concussion and broken finger. Better safe than sorry, and I was even able to re-use the single-use ice pack they took away from her broken finger for my shoulder. No no, I didn't TAKE it, they simply didn't want to continue using it, and well, I was in a bit of pain myself."
Nice work, Bill and Jess. Are you ready for an incident on the trail? Patroller or not, you may want to consider what you’d do if someone you know or don’t gets hurt out on the trail.
And now for this week’s calendar (and a little more…)
Mon, Aug. 24th – Monthly Meeting at Catalyst Coffee. 6:30 p.m. Night ride to follow at 8:30 p.m. for those who are interested.
Tues, Aug. 25th – Laramie Mountain Bike Series. More info here.
Wed, Aug. 26th – Singletrack Social leaving Maxwell Parking Lot at 6 p.m. Social hour afterwards at Josh Shafer’s. Bring something to share. These rides are a great way to break up the week. They’re quite fun and well attended. Hope to see you there.
Thurs, Aug. 27th – TIPS Training for the Tour de Fat. Info here.
And as mentioned last week, the trail day on the Shoreline Section of the Foothills trail was a success also. Check out last week’s post for more info.
A Couple of Helpful Patrollers
Many of us have taken the training to become ‘Certified Mountain Bike Patrollers’ for Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol. We go through First Aid and CPR classes. We meet with land agencies. We learn how to help people with mechanical issues, etc. And even though we spend the hours doing these things, not many of us get a chance to put our skills, especially our medical skills, into play, aside from bandaging our own injuries, of course. I guess this is a good thing, but it’s also a good thing to have those skills.
Recently, however, Patrollers Bill and Jess were out on the trail when their skills came into play with a rider who had a head injury. Here’s a little bit from both of them.
Bill: "…As we were loading up the truck at the trailhead, a man came up and asked if we could help him. His wife had had a bad crash coming down the trail… When we got to her, you could tell things were a little fuzzy but she was a trooper. Her helmet was cracked in a few places but it had done its job… Head injuries are always scary and even though I have more than basic first aid training the important thing to remember is to always stay calm. If you're calm and joking with them, they'll stay calm and be observant. Fortunately she was at the trailhead so the rangers arrived quickly an evacuation was quick and simple. From what I understand, she’s going to be fine… So don't ever think that bike patrols aren’t important. You never know."
Jess: (Who had crashed earlier on her ride with Bill and was in a bit of pain.) "…When we got there she was definitely a little loopy. She surely wasn't very sure of anything, but at least she was smiling and aware that she wasn't very aware. We hung out with her. Bill checked her out. The rangers showed up (three trucks worth)... I kept doing my best to tell bad jokes and stay out of the way.... I did ONE useful thing – blankets are a good thing. I helped keep her warm… They stuck her on one of those backboards and off she went. Poor girl. Glad I was there to bring some femininity to the whole male cavalcade of ubber-trained professionals swarming the area. I must say, it was quite the show for a mild concussion and broken finger. Better safe than sorry, and I was even able to re-use the single-use ice pack they took away from her broken finger for my shoulder. No no, I didn't TAKE it, they simply didn't want to continue using it, and well, I was in a bit of pain myself."
Nice work, Bill and Jess. Are you ready for an incident on the trail? Patroller or not, you may want to consider what you’d do if someone you know or don’t gets hurt out on the trail.
And now for this week’s calendar (and a little more…)
Mon, Aug. 24th – Monthly Meeting at Catalyst Coffee. 6:30 p.m. Night ride to follow at 8:30 p.m. for those who are interested.
Tues, Aug. 25th – Laramie Mountain Bike Series. More info here.
Wed, Aug. 26th – Singletrack Social leaving Maxwell Parking Lot at 6 p.m. Social hour afterwards at Josh Shafer’s. Bring something to share. These rides are a great way to break up the week. They’re quite fun and well attended. Hope to see you there.
Thurs, Aug. 27th – TIPS Training for the Tour de Fat. Info here.
Fri, Aug. 28th – F.C. Cycling Fest hosts the Oskar Blues Cruiser Ride and Concert in Old Town – the prologue to the Ride de Rist 5:30 p.m. Info here.
Saturday, Aug. 29th Ride de Rist. 7:30 a.m. Info here.
Outreach at Devil’s Backbone. Singletrack Social meets at Devil’s too. 9 a.m.
Mon, Aug. 31st – TIPS Training and Lead Training for the Tour de Fat. Info here.
Sat, September 5th – Tour de Fat. Volunteer here. Info about the event here.
Oh, yeah, and a quick review of points totals.
Pete S. still leads the way with Total Points at 185.
Joe P. leads the way with Patrol Points at 94.
Will anyone catch either of them?
Keep the rubber side down and don’t forget your helmet. See you on the trails.
Keep the rubber side down and don’t forget your helmet. See you on the trails.
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