Opportunity

[Hill Slug]

Last Saturday I volunteered to sweep for the Team in Training marathon team during their morning workout. Some folks did 17 miles, others 11. Either walking or running along the American River bike trail. They started at 6:30 am. I started a bit later. I carried some water, gu's, pretzels and trail mix. I also cheered them on - go team!!! It was a beautiful morning, one of those where the life is good mantra comes to mind. Initially it was pretty uneventful....Saw a few deer and turkeys. Once I got over the Hazel bridge, there were 5 sherriffs and local police running onto the trail. My initial thought was one of my folks was down. I rode towards the dam since that's where the cops were running. There was a guy on a bike down. He apparently was brought down by some of the fisherman on the river, because he was brandishing a gun. Geez.....there are already a bunch of other riders and runners on the trail. It could've been pretty nasty. But the cops got a hold of him, and took him away. Glad to get past that!!!
Later I was able to get water and snacks to folks who were really tired and out of water before their reststop. They were very appreciative. My last creature encounter was a 4 ft snake crossing the trail. I don't think it was a rattlesnake, although they are out on the trail too. I was able to let a few folks ahead know he/she was there so they would leave it alone.
And lastly.....I kept the last lady walker company for about 2 miles. We chatted about her event, Portland Marathon, and I kept her going. I totally know about being the last one in.
All in all it was a nice day. And it was nice to be of service, and promote cycling. A friend of mine is organizing the Cowtown Marathon in Sacramento in October, and needs sweepers and course monitors on bikes. I won't be in town that weekend, Oct 1st, so if there are any Sacto area riders who want to help, it's fun and you'll be putting a positive face for the cycling community.

[Pedal Wench]

That sounds like a great idea. How did you find out about it? I would love to do the same in Georgia. Contact info?

[RoadRaven]

The guy on the bike was brandishing a gun?
A mountain biker?
At the people fishing?
Scarey...

[Hill Slug]

That sounds like a great idea. How did you find out about it? I would love to do the same in Georgia. Contact info?

If there's a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society chapter in your area, they probably have a Team in Training marathon team. And if they are currently training for an event they may need volunteers for sweeping, SAG-ing, or office stuff. Also check with some of the sporting goods store for flyers on any running events, then contact the organizers. They're always looking for good, free help. My friend who's organizing the Cowtown Marathon, is also doing the Run to Feed the Hungry run on Thanksgiving morning, and I'll probably help sweep that one too.

The guy on the bike with the gun, didn't look like a regular rider type. Just some guy on a bike. The bike looked like a Walmart bike, he was wearing jeans and a tshirt. His nose was bloody by the time I got there. Just guessing that was from the fishermen who took him down.....

[Grog]

I'm sorry but I don't quite understand this thing about a fisherman taking this guy down and then him brandishing a gun !! ???? What is that??? Is that considered normal??

[Hill Slug]

A guy had a gun on the bike trail, a fisherman/men saw him, they tackled him, someone called the cops, they showed up and took him away.
No....it's not normal. This doesn't happen everyday on the trail. I was just relating an incident that happened while I was there on saturday.

[Grog]

A guy had a gun on the bike trail, a fisherman/men saw him, they tackled him, someone called the cops, they showed up and took him away.
No....it's not normal. This doesn't happen everyday on the trail. I was just relating an incident that happened while I was there on saturday.

Oh good thanks for the clarification. It sounded really weird... !! (Actually it IS really weird.)