From Team Member Ralph Swick KD1SM:

The Memory Ride for Alzheimer's Research is a 100-mile bicycle ride in which hundreds of riders collect sponsorships to raise money for research to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. The course starts in Devens and proceeds through Ayer, Harvard, Bolton, Lancaster, Clinton, Boylston, West Boylston, Sterling, Shirley, Groton, Townsend, Pepperell, Hollis NH, and Amherst NH finishing back in Devens. Three shorter versions of the full course offer 62, 30, 20, and 11 mile rides.

In its 15th year, 2011 Memory Ride for Alzheimer's Research will be held on Saturday, July 23rd. This is the fourth year this event is held in our communities in Central and North Central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Over 327 bicycle riders are already registered for the event, suggesting a substantial increase in the number of participants this year over 2010.

This is also the fourth year that Amateur Radio operators have been asked to provide health and safety and logistical communications for the event. With such a large area being covered, there is a substantial need for communications between the six pit stops, the medical chase vehicles, the SAG vehicles, and the event director. The Alzheimer's Association MA/NH Chapter is very appreciative of our service and impressed with the professionalism demonstrated by the radio operators the past three years.

If you are available on Saturday July 23 to volunteer please contact me. Some positions are a few hours or half-day while many (most) require an all-day (7am to 5pm) commitment. A mobile radio is also required, though I may be able to provide a limited number on loan.

Information about the event itself is available on the ride's website.

Thanks es 73,
-Ralph KD1SM