The 16th Annual Pedaling Paths to Independence Bike Ride is on for 2025!  Now more than ever SDARC members are needed at the event. Not only will club members be providing communications, logistics and SAG support, but we need a few members to step-up and man rest stops and help with keeping the riders hydrated and fed at each stop. SDARC is the hosting sponsor of the event. Last year we gave the Blind center about $9,000.00

Club members have been hard at work getting ready for the event.  We’ve been organizing volunteers, securing corporate sponsorships, and taking in the registrations for the 2025 event.  Thanks especially to Annie N6ACL, Joni KN6WVX, Paul N6KZW, Mark W6SXA and Steve KM6ZJJ who are the driving force getting things together.

We need a couple of volunteers to run the rest stop at the Farmington Fire Station (great coffee there) set up and distribute snacks and water to the 200 - 400 riders that will go through there. You don't need a radio for this! How about some family teams here? Non-ham on the rest stop, ham radio op on the radio?

The same is true for the rest stop at Bellota. A picturesque location along the Calaveras River. And a later start time than the rest of the route - so your team could sleep in a bit and still be a big help!

The ride is an annual fund raiser to support activities for The Community Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired ( www.ccvbi.org ) Early registrations have been coming in for weeks along with donations and offers for sponsorship.  Everything indicates this will be a very good and a bigger event than 2024!

We anticipate supporting as many as 5 SAG (Service and Gear) wagons with communications and vehicle location utilizing APRS. We will be coordinating other volunteers and making sure everyone is checked in – proper waivers are signed, and everyone stays safe! This year we will again be advertising to the riders in concert with the Stockton Bicycle Club our “Central Dispatch” phone number 209-227-0724 (227-0SAG) Each rider will be given this number to call directly to the Net Control Station in the event of an emergency or break down. Using APRS in each of the SAG Wagons, Net Control will be able to track the locations of SAGs and ‘dispatch’ the closest SAG Wagon to the reported break-down or other incident.

After the ride, riders and volunteers can share a delicious meal provided by DeVinci’s Deli in Linden.

We need you!  Sign up today on the W6SF website! ( www.w6sf.org/eventsignup.html ) It’s not just about radio anymore – the club is invested in the entire ride.  Events like this allow us to practice our emergency preparedness and operating procedures.  Additionally, this gives us an opportunity to demonstrate the capability of ham radio to others, while teaching new and seasoned radio operators how to handle radio traffic of varying priority while in the field. This is event is great for new operators so come join the fun! Even if you're brand new you can still be a big help!

ALL Volunteers should attend the club meeting on February 13th so you can get the latest information on the ride and plans for support.