2010 Escort opportunity

[SideCar]

In case you have an interest and the time available in Nov of 2010 (Yep, over a year away), here's some info on escorting the Komen 3 day walk.  Some of it is really interesting.  I sent them a note because a friend is walking in this year's 3 day walk and figured they might need some motorcycles...

"Thank you for your interest in our motorcycle crew for the 2009 Dallas Breast Cancer 3-Day. At this time, all motorcycle crew positions are filled. However, we have just opened our 2010 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure schedule. If you are interested in being on the motorcycle crew for next year, I would recommend registering now as the positions do fill quickly. Crew members have a four day commitment on the event. They must take part in the Crew training on the day before the event. Crew members fill out a Crew assignment request form and list their four preferred assignments on the event. Crew members pay a $90 registration fee, and while you are encouraged to let people know that they can donate to the cause, crew members do not have a fundraising requirement. Last year, our amazing crew raised over $1million dollars!

Or, if you want to be a regular volunteer for the 2009 Breast Cancer 3-Day for one of the three days of the event, you can subscribe online to the Volunteer Newsletter. Go to the www.the3day.org website and follow the Get Involved >Crew/Volunteer link, to subscribe. You will receive notices when we have opportunities for volunteers. When the Volunteer bulletin goes out to all subscribers, this will be the time to select a slot for our event weekend.  Please be aware that we are lucky enough to have incredible volunteer support in the 3-Day community and most all of our volunteer positions fill up within one week of the email going out. 

If you have any other questions, we would love to hear from you!  Please call our coaches at 800.996.3DAY and we will gladly answer all of your questions and help you get started.

Kindly,

 
Nina Griffith

Breast Cancer 3-Day Coach

Phone: 800.996.3329, ext. 816

Email: ngriffith@event360.com

www.the3day.org

[RainMaker]

The MS-150 bicycle fund raiser also uses motorcycle escorts every year but there is no fee to do it.  Maybe Godfire can get some info!

RM

[Disco]

The MS-150 bicycle fund raiser also uses motorcycle escorts every year...  RM

Hey Mark, do I remember correctly that you passed out a flyer for the MS-150 at a VRCC meeting?  If so, do you still have the contact?

[SideCar]

I imagine a lot of these big events need m/c help. Might create a sticky note with info on those in the area.
Ride for Kids
MS150
Komen Walk
Komen 3 day walk
Bound to be others....

[Thalas'shaya]

Rose and I and Rose's sister are all on the road safety crew for the Komen 3-Day this year.  There's a whole subculture to the thing that I learned a little about last year when my sister and Rose's sister were walkers in it.  I'm learning much more now that I'm involved this year.

Because the point of it is fundraising, even the Crew (yeah, they capitalize it) are encouraged to raise funds.  There's a minimum level of fundraising required for Walkers, but Crew just have a small fee and no required fundraising.

 The Route Safety Crew is where motorcycles fit in, and it fills up fast.  There is a Crew Assignment process that goes on, starting with you getting registered as a Crew member and then filling out a preferences sheet.  There's no guarantee that you'll get Route Safety, so if you do take this activity on, you need to be prepared to work at some other job (such as Lifter of Heavy Stuff.)  They give preference to people who've worked the Route Safety patrol in previous races, I think, and then after that it's first-come, first-served.  We made it a point to fill out our preference sheets as soon as they were available, to make Route Safety our first choice, and to get to the assignment meeting early to make sure we got our first pick.

Also, there is a required training day for Crew, making the engagement a 4-day commitment for Crew.  Frankly, I think it's a pain in the a**, but I suppose this much organization is required to make this big an event come together smoothly.  So I'm rolling with it and jumping through all the crazy little hoops.  The part that irritates me is that now I'm getting regular marketing materials offering to sell me 3-Day Gear (yeah, they capitalize that, too) in a whole array of nauseatingly pink shades.  I don't know if any of y'all had noticed, but I'm not really the pink-wearing sort, right?

So, the 3-Day is a good cause, but you have to be REALLY committed to wanting to work this particular race to get in on it.  I'm not by any means trying to discourage you, just to let you know that it's not as simple as just showing up and patrolling the route for a couple of hours.  You'll have to be engaged with it for at least 4 days for the event, and you have to be on the ball early to sign up and get Route Safety Crew.

I think the Lone Star AIDS Ride also uses motorcycle patrols to help with safety, so add that to the list.

[Houdini]

The MS-150

MS....as in multiple sclerosis?  Info please!  I volunteer.

[RainMaker]

Here's the info on the Sam's Club MS-150 Ride from Frisco to the Texas Motor Speedway in regards to Motorcycle Escorts.  Note the email addresses for contacts at the end of the article - RM
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Motorcycle Escorts

Motorcycle Escort (ME) volunteers provide mobile route support for Bike MS: SAM’S CLUB cyclists, providing minimal disruption, troubleshooting problems and ensuring rider safety.

Responsibilities may include monitoring each day’s start and flow of riders; assisting with traffic control; getting mechanical or medical assistance for cyclists; and handling minor incidents.

Motorcycle Escorts must wear helmets. Each ME must have a valid motorcycle driver’s license and proof of insurance covering the motorcycle used on the Bike MS. The motorcycle is required to have working hazard lights. Motorcycle trailers are not allowed on the route. Trikes or sidecar rigs must be approved by the ME Coordinator. For cycling safety reasons, motorcycles with loud exhausts are not encouraged.

All new prospective Motorcycle Escorts are encouraged to be active amateur radio operators with VHF/UHF ham radio capability on the motorcycle, although not required. The motorcycle should be CB radio equipped; a cell phone is recommended for backup.

CPR and first aid training is desirable, but not mandatory. Before becoming an ME, you must participate as a Motorcycle Escort in at least one designated Recommended Ride; an ME training officer will monitor you. MEs who have participated in previous Dallas-area MS150s are excluded from this requirement.

For more information, e-mail wingerhank@sbcglobal.net or gwgrandma@sbcglobal.net. Unless requirements are met earlier, the ME volunteer sign-up deadline is April 1.

[Houdini]

Thanks Mark, messages sent.