ARES operators provided communications assistance for the 2024 edition of the Rothrock Grit Gravel Grinder in Pennsylvania’s Rothrock State Forest.  About 200 riders participated over the three different courses, the longest being 65 miles.  Amateur radio operators staffed three aid stations; Headquarters at Tussey Mountain Lodge, Penn Roosevelt State Park, and the Hammer station at North Meadows Road and Treaster Kettle Road.  Although there was only one minor emergency the stations relayed operational information to and from headquarters.

Here’s a photo of the Headquarters station at Tussey Lodge with Dan, K9SDW operating the radio and recording calls on his computer. All the equipment here was provided by Dan including a portable electric fan to keep insects at bay.

The station is completely self contained operating on a generator.  The generator ran all day on one tank of gasoline.

The day was pretty quiet.  Thankfully only one rider crashed and after some first aid at Penn Roosevelt he kept going and finished the race. Operations at Headquarters opened at 08:00 and closed at 16:00.  Hammer and Penn Roosevelt operated shorter hours based on the predicted arrival of first riders and departure of sweep riders.

Here’s another view of the Headquarters station showing the cot that Dan uses to keep his spare equipment off the ground.

Race organizer Tanya Rissmiller Campbell made special mention of amateur radio’s contribution to making the race safer and easier to conduct.  ARES thanks to amateur radio operators who participated:

• Carmine, K3CWP
• Dan, K3SDW
• Greg, K3HOT
• Jason, KB3KPP
• Tim, K3TEG

Amateur Radio operators interested in volunteering for any of these events can see the 2024 events listed here.