Group Health STP Support Team

STP Motorcycle Safety Patrol

For the third year running, a motorcycle safety patrol will issue citations for riders not following the rules of this event, including:
riding more than two abreast, passing on the right, not obeying traffic signals, crossing a solid centerline, not wearing a helmet, and riding that endangers fellow riders.
Please ride Safe and Single File as much as possible.

Safety and Medical Team

Each year up to 100 cyclists (ski patrol, medics, firefighters, police officers, nurses and doctors) volunteer to ride Group Health STP as members of the Safety and Medical Team. These volunteers are identified by red safety jerseys, vests or helmet covers. The Safety and Medical Team will ask riders to refrain from unsafe or discourteous riding practices. This year, many support riders will be Group Health volunteers, like 8-time STP veteran and Group Health physician, Steven Bock (below).

Group Health Staffed Medical Locations

The 5 major STP food stops and the finish line will be staffed with volunteers from the Group Health medical team. All the other mini stops on the route will have first aid supplies available for riders but will not be staffed. If you have a medical issue on route that needs immediate attention, please flag down one of the Goldwing Support motorcycles or one of the official STP support cars.

Mechanical Support

Each major food stop and mini-stop provides mechanical support for your bicycle. Supporting bicycle shops provide free labor but charge for parts. Come prepared to pay for bicycle repairs that you may need on the route. Many bike shop mechanics will take MasterCard/VISA as well as cash or check.

Support Vehicles / Emergency Response Crew

Twelve support vehicles will patrol the route to pick up riders unable to continue. These vehicles will circle the course until the last rider finishes each day.

The support vehicles will shuttle stranded riders to the nearest point where services are available. The support vehicles are not personal "taxis". If you are not able to continue due to mechanical or physical reasons, you will need to make your own arrangements for transportation to your final destination. The support pickup service requires patience and has limited capacity; you may have to wait some time before you're picked up.

Gold Wing Touring Association

For twelve years, the Gold Wing Touring Association (GWTA) has provided up to 200 motorcyclists who patrol the route, equipped with radios and first aid kits. GWTA responds to mechanical problems and minor medical situations. They can radio for help in situations requiring medical assistance or rider transport. If you need assistance, give the "thumbs down" signal to a GWTA motorcyclist. To signal your appreciation, give the "thumbs up" sign.