On Saturday, June 11th the Happy Valley Women’s Cycling Team (HVWC) held their annual Rothrock Grit Gravel Grinder Race.  This is a 66 mile race over various trails and roads in the Rothrock State Forest.  Several hundred bicycle racers took to the course at 09:00.  Six Centre County Amateur Radio Operators provided communications among three support stations and race headquarters.

The participating amateurs were:

• Carmine, K3CWP
• Brad, KC3BHI
• Jason, KB3KPP
• Greg, K3GEM
• Chad, KC3SEQ
• Greg, K3HOT

Most of the communications were routing until 13:35 when riders coming off of Detweiler Run Road, a particularly rough trail, alerted the support station there that a rider had fallen, was injured, and was being walked out by other riders.  K3HOT immediately relayed information back to headquarters and Incident Command.

EMS was sent to the location, the rider was transported to Headquarters, and eventually transported by ambulance to Mount Nittany Medical Center for evaluation.

Amateur Radio participation started around 07:30 and ended at 16:27.  All communications were conducted on the 146.85, W3YA repeater.  Thanks to K3YV, Woody the repeater trustee.  Centre County ARES also thanks HWVC for inviting us to participate and the DCNR Park Rangers who cooperated with our efforts to enhance communications and safety.

Carmine Prestia, K3CWP