Critique of Corporate Challenge

Thanks to the Communicators who assisted with the Corporate Challenge Tri-athelon today. There were about 15 people that our observers tracked over the course of the 10 mile bike event starting and ending at Highland High School. As expected our pre-planned observation points were not used when we found out that there were no other volunteers available to guide the riders. Therefore, we moved our units to each of the direction-change intersections and other dangerous ones. We kept track of the riders and were particularly valuable watching some "very youngsters" who were riding and couldn't keep up. Carl and Alan ended up keeping them at their locations until their mother came back to get them. Overall, the event leadership was pretty "informal" as compared to what we are accustomed, but it worked out fine.

Our communicators were: KC9AOM, Mike; WA9CWE, Steve; KD9DR, Carl; KC9IYH, Jackson; KC9JWO, Alan; KC9NCR, Brian; KB9NTG, Dave; KB9QIY, Dave; KB9SCC, Larry; W9TCR, Tim; N9VUQ, Teresa; N9ZAF, Cautt. This was the minimum number of personnel to get the job done effectively. The first rider hit the road at 8:06, and the last finished at 9:19 .

From our critique the following learnings were identified:

1) The SAFETY VESTS that we issued to all of our communicators were particularly effective. We could be easily seen and identified. Also Tim noted that drivers could see our volunteers and tended to slow down and be more attentive. We used vests from the MCU plus those that some volunteers already had.

2) PARTICIPANT IDENTIFICATION wasn't good. Some riders who were not participants were on the route too. It wasn't really an issue from the event standpoint, but would have helped us out. We made suggestions to Teresa to pass along to the sponsors.

3) BELT located HANDHELDS were noisy to unreadable with short antennas. Longer antennas resolved that issue. Most of us used our mobiles when we could.

4) HANDHELDS ON LOW POWER DIDN'T WORK. We need to remind all users to check their handhelds during the initial briefing.

5) The observer at the Killbuck Park entrance needed to be at the top of the hill (north) so oncoming drivers could see him. Tim moved up there and was more effective.

6) The intersection of 400N turning south on 500E was difficult for the riders to see on-coming traffic from the north. It's important to have someone there.

This event was a good communications exercise and was particularly important for us to assist due to the number of young riders who were on the county roads without much adult oversight. It went quickly and the event sponsors really appreciate our support. We volunteered to help next year, and will probably expand to assist with the run portion which occurs upon completion of the bike portion. This will only take another person or two, perhaps those who have already secured from the earliest observation points.

Below are a couple of pictures from Brian, KC9NCR, taken during the initial briefing. Not all participants are shown.

73,
Steve WA9CWE

Photos Courtesy of Brian KC9NCR