Fort Collins Volunteers are Wheel Deal

07-15-02

By Coleman Cornelius, Denver Post Northern Colorado Bureau

Monday, July 15, 2002 - FORT COLLINS - When Ramon Ajero readies for a mountain bike ride, he packs water, energy bars, trail maps, a jacket, flashlight, compass and cellphone.

Spare tubes for flat tires and tools to fix broken chains. And a first-aid kit, trauma shears, surgical gloves, a snake-bite kit and splints for broken bones.

Ajero, 39, heads the Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol, a volunteer group that rides trails in Larimer County west of Fort Collins to help cyclists and other trail users with everything from flat tires to injuries and information.

The mountain biking do-gooders form one of five patrols in Colorado that are members of the National Mountain Bike Patrol. The groups act as goodwill ambassadors for their sport by promoting responsible riding on public land and aiding those in need, whether it's with a bad case of road rash or an update on trail conditions.

"We try to just be out there for people," said Ajero, a Fort Collins resident and software developer at Hewlett-Packard. "We also do it because it's fun. What better way to give back and also have a good time?"

The Diamond Peaks patrol is an outgrowth of a volunteer ski group that patrols backcountry trails around Cameron Pass west of Fort Collins in the winter.

The bike group formed in 1995 and has 47 riders who are trained in first aid and volunteer for four patrols between May and October. Last year, the group logged 550 volunteer hours and 88 patrols, with most rides lasting about three hours, Ajero said.

The patrollers ride in pairs on popular trails in Lory State Park, Horsetooth Mountain Park and Roosevelt National Forest.

Most of their work centers on providing information to trail users. But they also regularly help other mountain bikers with mechanical problems and occasionally provide medical aid. For instance, Ajero and another patroller once bandaged a forehead gash for a fallen rider and helped get him and his bike out of the forest.

"We bring those skills into the backcountry, where you could literally be hours from help," Ajero said.

Kristy Wumkes, who coordinates volunteer work in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, said the bikers fill an important role as volunteer rangers at a time when the U.S. Forest Service has slashed its budget for such employees.

The Forest Service trains patrollers to inform and educate the public and asks volunteers to complete reports after each outing.

"They're a great group. They're definitely eyes and ears for us," Wumkes said.

Tim Gaines, 47, a Timnath resident and seasonal employee at Colorado State Forest State Park, was a founder of the Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol and volunteers on both the bike patrol and the Diamond Peaks Ski Patrol.

Gaines, a Timnath trustee, said he spends all the time he can in the mountains and is a "schmoozer." The patrols are a way for him to combine those leanings, he said.

"You might as well try to be useful while you're up there in the woods all the time," Gaines said.

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	Fort Collins Volunteers are Wheel Deal 07-15-02 By Coleman Cornelius, Denver Post Northern Colorado Bureau Monday, July 15, 2002 - FORT COLLINS - When Ramon Ajero readies for a mountain bike ride, he packs water, energy bars, trail maps, a jacket, flashlight, compass and cellphone. Spare tubes for flat tires and tools to fix broken chains. And a first-aid kit, trauma shears, surgical gloves, a snake-bite kit and splints for broken bones. Ajero, 39, heads the Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol, a volunteer group that rides trails in Larimer County west of Fort Collins to help cyclists and other trail users with everything from flat tires to injuries and information. The mountain biking do-gooders form one of five patrols in Colorado that are members of the National Mountain Bike Patrol. The groups act as goodwill ambassadors for their sport by promoting responsible riding on public land and aiding those in need, whether it's with a bad case of road rash or an update on trail conditions. "We try to just be out there for people," said Ajero, a Fort Collins resident and software developer at Hewlett-Packard. "We also do it because it's fun. What better way to give back and also have a good time?" The Diamond Peaks patrol is an outgrowth of a volunteer ski group that patrols backcountry trails around Cameron Pass west of Fort Collins in the winter. The bike group formed in 1995 and has 47 riders who are trained in first aid and volunteer for four patrols between May and October. Last year, the group logged 550 volunteer hours and 88 patrols, with most rides lasting about three hours, Ajero said. The patrollers ride in pairs on popular trails in Lory State Park, Horsetooth Mountain Park and Roosevelt National Forest. Most of their work centers on providing information to trail users. But they also regularly help other mountain bikers with mechanical problems and occasionally provide medical aid. For instance, Ajero and another patroller once bandaged a forehead gash for a fallen rider and helped get him and his bike out of the forest. "We bring those skills into the backcountry, where you could literally be hours from help," Ajero said. Kristy Wumkes, who coordinates volunteer work in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, said the bikers fill an important role as volunteer rangers at a time when the U.S. Forest Service has slashed its budget for such employees. The Forest Service trains patrollers to inform and educate the public and asks volunteers to complete reports after each outing. "They're a great group. They're definitely eyes and ears for us," Wumkes said. Tim Gaines, 47, a Timnath resident and seasonal employee at Colorado State Forest State Park, was a founder of the Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol and volunteers on both the bike patrol and the Diamond Peaks Ski Patrol. Gaines, a Timnath trustee, said he spends all the time he can in the mountains and is a "schmoozer." The patrols are a way for him to combine those leanings, he said. "You might as well try to be useful while you're up there in the woods all the time," Gaines said. Copyright 2002 The Denver Post


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