Mountain Bike Use By Ground Teams?

Anyone know of any ground teams using mountain bikes   I would assume that since it is not a motorized vehicle it could be utilized
RM

Plausible in certain circumstances. Moving through areas searching while expecting low PoD, like hiking trails, asking people if they have seen anything. But it would be difficult to ride safely with gear. But that would be good use of a day pack. Even possibly through a neighborhood, but I can only think of using DF equipment in a neighborhood, and that is just silly on a bike.

But we're I given the request to do it with maybe one other person, or two, I would go for it through trails with low PoD. But when you get into groups of three or four it can be difficult to be effective as speed gets iffy. Just because of different riding abilities. Plus you have the issue of flats in the woods, then you are mission ineffective.

You don't want to be mistaken for a real mountain biker, though.

I would assume that since it is not a motorized vehicle it could be utilized

Last I checked, motorized vehicles were authorized for ground teams.

It really increases response team if you have to walk to the search area.

Aw man, really? We've been using camels.

. Plus you have the issue of flats in the woods, then you are mission ineffective.

How is this different then the Van getting a flat?

. Plus you have the issue of flats in the woods, then you are mission ineffective.

How is this different then the Van getting a flat?

Believe me, I thought about that... If a van gets a flat, pull out the spare... Or make arrangements. If a bike gets a flat in the woods, you are carrying that sucker out, I doubt your carrying a van out of the woods. If you are, I want to know what supplements you are taking.

When I was an avid biker I always carried an air pump, patches, and spare inner tube.

A million years ago I used to bike to work and college - getting a flat 10 miles from home in the city is no picnic, ether.

There are search and rescue teams that do occasionally use bikes.   It's great for lost person searches for doing a hasty search of trails and quickly establishing a perimeter.  It's great for parks and suburbia.

Heh, LOL. Worried about a flat on a bike. Nice air pump on the frame, inner tube and patch kit stuffed under the seat, or on the post, and the three small tools with a couple extra chain links and you've got all that is needed to fix anything on a bike.

Easier than hauling Purina Camel Chow.

Great so now that this has been exposed to daylight.
I expect that someone will soon be complaining that the helmets required by law for those under 18 in some states will violate 39-1 when worn in uniform and I am also sure that soon there will be a CAP bicycle liscense and online safety coursework required

Great so now that this has been exposed to daylight.
I expect that someone will soon be complaining that the helmets required by law for those under 18 in some states will violate 39-1 when worn in uniform and I am also sure that soon there will be a CAP bicycle liscense and online safety coursework required

+1
I bet this will also make all of the mountain bikes have the hideos CAP vehicile style paint jobs.

Heh, LOL. Worried about a flat on a bike. Nice air pump on the frame, inner tube and patch kit stuffed under the seat, or on the post, and the three small tools with a couple extra chain links and you've got all that is needed to fix anything on a bike.

Easier than hauling Purina Camel Chow.

But can you fix this:

Being !EXTREME! is prohibited.

As is drinking "Nectar of the Tards".

Being !EXTREME! is prohibited.

As is drinking "Nectar of the Tards".

You just made me socially awkward IE I just laughed so hard while everyone in my living room was watching a depressing movie.

Sweet!

You just made me socially awkward IE I just laughed so hard while everyone in my living room was watching a depressing movie.

FTW!
...
...


Just keep these in the van .. you never know when you need to fix something ;-)

I never need a patch or air pump. . I have solid rubber tires.

Heh, LOL. Worried about a flat on a bike. Nice air pump on the frame, inner tube and patch kit stuffed under the seat, or on the post, and the three small tools with a couple extra chain links and you've got all that is needed to fix anything on a bike.

Easier than hauling Purina Camel Chow.

But can you fix this:

With a couple branches, 550 cord, and 100 mph tape; yes I can.

Heh, LOL. Worried about a flat on a bike. Nice air pump on the frame, inner tube and patch kit stuffed under the seat, or on the post, and the three small tools with a couple extra chain links and you've got all that is needed to fix anything on a bike.

Easier than hauling Purina Camel Chow.

But can you fix this:

Pass the super glue sir. 

I never need a patch or air pump. . I have solid rubber tires.

Is your front tire exponentially bigger than you back tire too?

I finally figured out what FTW stands for. I kept thinking it meant .... The world!

Anyone know of any ground teams using mountain bikes   I would assume that since it is not a motorized vehicle it could be utilized
RM

Yegads!  Think of the liability!  The chances of injury are far greater when zooming down a trail at warp factor 9 than the risk we incur when working "security" at airshows!   

Actually I think mountain bikes could be useful in some circumstances. Of course the only "extreme" in CAP is risk avoidance. That may prevent effective use of bikes in CAP. 

Bike uniforms? Whatever. I want a two-way radio on my bike.   

In many states, those under 18 can't ride a bike without a bike helmet.  Can't wear a bike helmet with your uniform as it's not authorized in CAPM 39-1 and - Per CAPM39-1 Table 1-3 3.(e) helmet liners. Color to be determined by wing commander except that helmet liners authorized for wear by members participating in emergency services missions will be white and will be worn with the decal depicted in Figure 6-20.  Helmet liners will not meet the bike helmet requirement.  Ergo, no mountain bikes.

In many states, those under 18 can't ride a bike without a bike helmet.  Can't wear a bike helmet with your uniform as it's not authorized in CAPM 39-1 and - Per CAPM39-1 Table 1-3 3.(e) helmet liners. Color to be determined by wing commander except that helmet liners authorized for wear by members participating in emergency services missions will be white and will be worn with the decal depicted in Figure 6-20.  Helmet liners will not meet the bike helmet requirement.  Ergo, no mountain bikes.

http://www.scandinavianobjects.com/somaterial/yakkay_bicycle_helmet/4.html

Let's get pith helmets authorized for mountain bikers. That spike would be good for something I'm sure.

If these two ladies were members of the team. Sign me up!

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=pacific+blue+tv+show&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=638&tbm=isch&tbnid=Pj6xgpB2wLjecM:&imgrefurl=http://www.crazyabouttv.com/pacificblue.html&docid=Zyk8AY3Z3BYL5M&imgurl=http://www.crazyabouttv.com/Images/pacificblue.jpg&w=230&h=300&ei=wKLDT-L7Bsro0QG4grWWCg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=423&vpy=129&dur=1698&hovh=240&hovw=184&tx=79&ty=127&sig=108157254470145599276&page=1&tbnh=140&tbnw=103&start=0&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0,i:77

I never need a patch or air pump. . I have solid rubber tires.

Is your front tire exponentially bigger than you back tire too?

I finally figured out what FTW stands for. I kept thinking it meant .... The world!

Nope. They make solid rubber intertubes. Stopped an idiot from popping my tires one time. I've never had a flat. Pays to grow up in the country where we had to worry about puncture vines and sand burrs.

NoMorFlats in all my bike tires.  Same feel as inner tubes, a bit heavier.  Not as bad as Slyme.
Bill Collister
SD WG DC

Believe it or not, CAP used to have SAR teams on horseback way back in the day too.     Of course, I'll bet that some of the proper equipment used by modern mounted SAR people (ie riding helmet, lacer/packer boots, saddle bags etc) will probably not meet some current reg either ... thus I will ride if my local civilian team needs mounts.    And no need for special chow ... got grass??

A couple of CAP Talk threads on mounted SAR (MSAR):

http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=2356.0

http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=3882.0

Mike