ER24 Road Rangers

Thank you for an awesome event. Hard work from the very beginning. Before the race even started on day 1, we treated our first patient. He was warming up before stage 1 and came down hard, face first, onto the tar out on the Hazyview road. He was treated on scene by Road Rangers and transported by ER24 to Nelspruit Mediclinic. Sad to see that he could not even start the Tour. There was also a crash just after the start on Stage 1 before the turnoff to the Brondal road. We treated two ladies who was also then transported by ER24 to Nelspruit. One of the ladies went on to complete the tour. (respect) The traffic cop on Stage 3 was treated by Jasper, he experienced an epileptic episode while directing traffic. All well and he recovered fully. Our Ranger that came down, Greg Hegland, is recovering well and did duty on Stage 4 at the Turn Around point. We will see you guys back at the same event next year, we are also contemplating entering our own two man cycling team which will be very interesting...ha ha...

You guys all prepared for the Panorama? It is going to be Epic as usual..

Road Rangers will be providing the safety once again this year. Looking forward. :clap:

Can we still donate? Road Rangers would like to make a contribution.

Yes, please hubbers, we need to know where and how to improve and also air your concerns with organizers. We take time to meet with organizers before race's en go through every safety aspect. If we can improve your experience, we will. Please join our forum: www.forum.roadrangers.co.za Kind Regards, The Road Rangers Safety Marshals Team

Hi there, was us Road Rangers Marshaling on the bikes today. Glad you enjoyed it as much as we did.

The 23rd February 2014 is a day that the Road Rangers will never forget. The loss of a cyclists can be seen as just another statistic, just another traffic accident that is lost among the thousands of traffic news reports published everyday but this accident was close to home for Road Rangers. The Carnival City Macsteel Cycle Challenge is a very prestigious event, meticulously planned and executed by the club members of the Germiston Wheelers Cycle Clubwith the assistance from many other volunteers, EMPD etc. As well as it is planned and executed, one can never be assured that something will not go wrong. So many cyclists die on our roads every year, some while training, some at cycling events due to unforeseen circumstances and/or accidents. Road Rangers Safety Marshals has been involved with the Carnival City Macsteel Cycle Challenge with ER24 EMS Ltd. for 4 years and this past race must have been the most devastating of all. The Road Rangers was first on scene minutes after the accident occurred, medical training kicked in and emotions left aside to treat the patient best we could. Resuscitation was initiated after vitals were checked and it was ascertained that the patient is not breathing nor having a pulse. @ER24 EMS Ltd was on scene within minutes and worked with Road Rangers on the patient.The ALS medic took over the scene and after +- 45 minutes the patient was declared deceased. Road Rangers would like to thank the following people working at the scene: - All the Rangers assisting - Colin from ER24 SMSD - ER24 Team - EMPD Bike Squad - SAPS - Heidelberg Medical and Trauma Volunteers Condolences to the family and friends. Words cannot describe the loss of a precious life.

Good Morning Hubbers, The CMA Bike Marshals has requested the assistance from Road Rangers for this race, we will be assisting with 8 Rangers to lead out the groups, our mates at the EMPD Bike Squad will be with us at the front to ensure you guys can do some hard racing... See you there...

Thanks Guys, Road Rangers Marshalled on the bikes. good race.

Unfortunately the Road Rangers was not on duty at this race. Another outfit marshalled on their bikes. We did however, cycle the 50km route in showing our support for the sport. I tell you, I take my hat off to you guys. I was very tired after the 50km, and the wind nearly killed me... My time was 01:55 over 50km, I recon that I was not too bad. The roads where really quiet, the road surface was a bit rough at times, especially the sections where potholes was filled up. Hopefully we will be able to secure the marshalling for next year. Will see you guys at The Fast One..

Thanks for all the feedback guys. It is important that we start asking the questions to get the attention of the organizers. I must admit, that there is events where safety enjoys high priority, like the 94.7, Dischem Ride for Sight, Macsteel etc. etc. But the smaller events where clubs are involved is normally the culprits. the funds are normally used to boost the club, nothing wrong with that, but get the safety right first and then keep the profit. do not skimp on the Safety to try and make a bigger profit..

I hear you Gandalf, this is where proper marshal technique training comes in to prevent things like this from happening. What we are trying to say is that: SAFETY should be No 1 on the list before everything else is organized for the event not the last.

Being involved in Cycling events for the past 24 months now, the Road Rangers Safety Marshals Organisation has been approached by many a cycling event organizer for motorcycle marshalling services for their event. The Road Rangers Safety Marshals Organization is an NPO which is run by volunteers giving up their own time and using their own equipment to render this service to these organisations and the participants. Each Road Ranger is carefully selected through an pre-determined selection process, and once accepted as a rookie, go through a thorough training process. This process can take up to 6 months before such rookie is accredited as a full Road Ranger Safety Marshal. A lot of time is invested in individuals to ensure they are cycling safety patriots and not only just another biker trying to make an extra buck and feel important at the end of the day. Road Rangers is trained specific marshal techniques, pointsman, medical, riding techniques, cycling rules etc. etc. What really burns my noodle, is that event organizers is skimping on participants safety by trying to get the cheapest medical service, and the cheapest marshal service they can get hold off. Gathering a couple of bikers and slapping a reflective bib on their back for the day and expect these guys to now marshal cyclists around a route which they do not even know themselves. Not even talking about the foot marshals with the red flags in the intersections that is supposed to direct traffic and let cyclist through without any formal training or authority. Normally you will find a Traffic Police officer close by sitting in his/her vehicle munching away at a KFC drumstick just as some form of authority needs to be present. When are the participants at these events going to make enquiries about the Safety and Medical aspects of an race before actually spending their hard earned cash by entering? The entry fees are high, 99% of cycling races in South Africa does not ensure full road closure and relying on un-trained foot / bike marshals to look after the safety of YOU!! Rant off.... Jasper.

Some pics from our side... Road Rangers Scrum next to the road, think we can beat the BULLS? (just a bit of humour) Motivating some of the last cyclist along.

Road Rangers Safety Marshals Looking Out for your Safety at this event.