Just want to give a big thanks to all the NMB Patrollers for assisting with this past weekends Tour de Nash. The folks at Walk/Bike Nashville were extremely surprised and appreciative of each who lended a helping hand.

The following is a letter I sent and a couple of responses from Walk/Bike Nashville. The patrollers unnamed in Mr. Clements letter who provided some quike response First Aid are non other than Bill and Bo Reiger. Great Job Bill and Bo!

My letter:
Tour de Nash Staff:On behalf of the SORBA Middle TN mountain bike patrol, I would like to extend a warm thanks to you for allowing us to participate in this years event. The SORBA Middle TN chapter and NMBP (National Mountain Bike Patrol) share your passion for biking and fitness and were delighted to be able to assist. We look forward to and have high hopes of a future in the greater Nashville area where bikes are a norm and bikers are considered an integral part of the community. The NMBP's members are always eager to help and would be more than willing to assist next year and for further events to come.

Again,
Sincere thanks
Tim Dennis
SORBA Middle TN
National Mountain Bike Patrol
Chapter Coordinator


Responses:
"Wow Tim! That's awfully kind of you to thank us, considering the big thanks goes out to you all. We would never be able to have a successful event without you all willing to give up their entire day, spending it in the rain, riding slow! Everyone knew the importance of what we were there to do, and everyone seemed to have smiles on their faces! I witnessed everyone's professionalism, sometimes in person, and sometimes over the cell phone! Everyone did their part - we had a great crew. We'll be back on course in 2010, hopefully with great weather, hopefully with a willing crew to step up and make it happen again.NMB'ers impressed me with their response to the rider that hurt her knee on the Richland bridge. Another NMB'er stayed at the bridge until we could enhance our system to warn riders. Jenni and Marj, constantly working with flat tires, sidewall blowouts, hunting ways to get riders back on course. LaRae & Co. kept Shelby Bottoms regulated. It was quite a picture seeing Bob Murphy, his wife and the four boy scouts on Belmont in a torrential downpour.If anyone has constructive suggestions, comments, feedback, ways to improve navigation, safety, etc., please email me directly. We're trying to capture "lessons learned" to recycle them into the plan next year.Lastly, not to jinx us for next year, we had to take no one to the hospital this year. No ambulance rides. We are so thankful, as the odds were good given the conditions.THANK YOU ALL!Pat Clements"

"Let me second Pat thanks to the NMB bike patrol and everyone who SAGged or swept and I'm especially thank Pat and Shana for being willing to take on the responsibilites for Route and Safety with such short notice. I am so impressed that they and Claire were able to recruit such great and dedicated volunteers for what I hope will go down as the worst weather we ever have for the Tour de Nash. You were awesome and I hope that you are proud of the great job you did to make sure everyone returned safely.I would love to include something in one of Walk/bike Nashville's newsletter about the history of the NMB bike patrol, how you operate, how people become a member of the patrol, etc.., etc... It's such an awesome thing that I bet not so many people in the bike community know about and they would really appreciate knowing about the things you do. Sean Davies"