Ride Volunteers

[Veronica]

I'm curious, how many people have volunteered for an organized ride.

V.

[SheFly]

I volunteered this past weekend to lead an organized ride for a bike festival. Ride was 45 miles, with three stops along the way for ice cream. There were 2 other leaders with me on this ride.

The issue that I have with generic organized rides is that you get such a diversity of riders, it is difficult to keep a large group (we started out with about 40 riders of all abilities) together. I started out at a "leisurely" pace - for me. This was too slow for some, and too fast for others.

I ended up splitting off from the group and leading a fast "group" of riders, with others splitting into different paced groups. The good thing was that this was a marked loop, so everyone could follow the route regardless of whether they were with a leader.

Based on this experience, I am somewhat hesitant to "lead" an organized ride of this variety again. I have led rides in the past that I have been VERY CAREFUL to describe (fast, long, technical, etc.).

Would be interested to hear others experiences...

SheFly

[Denise223]

I've never volunteered, but I certainly would like to. I plan on volunteering in the 2007 season.

On 9/23, DH & I will be riding in the:

http://www.granitestatewheelmen.org/SCC/SCC-HomePage.htm

Considering that our longest ride has been 25 miles (since starting riding June 5th), I wouldn't mind a goal of 40 - 45 miles for myself.

Peace & Love,

Denise

[Jo-n-NY]

I signed up for one in July, but the week before had to bow out because of business obligations. I was really disappointed that I could not do it. It was the Gold Coast Tour on Long Island which is really hilly and I signed up for the last rest stop as I thought that would be the most exciting and really wanted to be there all day.

There is always next year.

~ JoAnn

[spokewench]

It's being part of the biking community. I figure if I'm going to race, do benefit rides, etc. at some point, I need to be on the other side helping with these.

I've always thought volunteering was good. I've volunteered my coaching time for Team in Training years ago; led many, many bike rides on my own (often women specific); helped lead rides for charity events; am on the City Bicycle Advisory Committee; managed mountain bike teams; served as a board member on road racing club; helped put on races, worked registration, etc., etc.

(As Martha Stewart says, IT IS A GOOD THING! Also, it makes you feel real good when you are done!

[li10up]

I volunteered but Hurricane Katrina cancelled the ride for us.

I also lead a beginner ride on Sat. mornings.

[bcipam]

Each weekend I generally do a TNC mountain bike ride.

I have also organized and led group rides. Help up with Club rides and started the Newbie Riders program.

Also helped out with large organized events like AMTRAK and Ride Around the Bear. Just love doing it!

[Eden]

I corner marshalled once (in the pouring rain!) It was more tired than if I'd raced that day.
I've been helping lead some no-drop rides for women and I'm going to be one of the cat 4 coordinators for my team next year.

[7rider]

I'm curious, how many people have volunteered for an organized ride.

V.

Back in my advocacy days, I rode sag for a ride our group did to highlight an on-road bike route we were trying to extend. The experience really brought out the "mother hen" in me, as I drove hundreds of miles that day, back and forth, tracking down lost riders, rushing water and snacks up to rest stops and making sure the pizza was there at the end of the ride! Oh, and I carted 4 sweaty cyclists and their bikes back to the start (it was a straight-line ride from Cape Ann (Rockport) to Cape Cod, Massachusetts). Looong day!

More recently, I was "shower monitor" for an MS-150 ride when I was still on crutches after knee surgery. They paired me up with this poor woman who was 8.5 months pregnant and looked very uncomfortable, but she wanted to volunteer anyway, bless her. Our job was to try to keep some order to the chaotic shower rooms....one in, one out....but I don't know how successful we were!

[Pedal Wench]

well, I put 'yes', but it's a bit different. I'm leading my cycling club as we provide bike support for the Susan B. Komen 3-Day Walk in our area. We'll be marshalling corners, providing sweep, keeping folks on track, providing emotional support for the lead, cheering on the women at the back, and relaying information for the automobile SAGs, letting them know where walkers need help. I'm really excited about it!

[AllezGirl]

I always volunteer for the two century events that my club puts on each year. I usually work parking and SAG, but will also help out wherever I'm needed. It's so much fun and we ride the route the day before, so it's not like I'm missing out on that.

Thread-Jack: Pedal Wench...which 3-Day? I'll be working a rest stop at the Philadelphia walk.

[snapdragen]

I drive SAG support for the ACTC academy, I used to be an instructor; now I'm "retired".

I help out with AIDs/LifeCycle - this year I was only able to help with orientation, but most years I'll help out with Day on the Ride too.

I usually work ACTC's Tierra Bella ride.

[GLC1968]

I voted that I've never volunteered but that I'd like to...but now that I read the responses, I realize that I wasn't entirely truthful! ;) I've never volunteered at any of the big organized rides in my area, but I plan to before too long. I've only been riding a year, so I needed some time to begin to understand how these events even work!

But I do volunteer. I have been leading 'beginner' training rides for the rookies on our MS150 team at work. I'm a big advocate for 'just getting on a bike and joining us" at work, so I volunteered to lead some rookie/beginner rides in the evenings. I notice that when I lead, the numbers of participants is much higher than when some of the other team members lead. I think I must be less intimidating than some of the super fast guy leaders! :p

[Veronica]

I had originally meant volunteering on paid rides. That's what organized ride means to me. But, I'm enjoying reading what other people to do to help out our sport and get others involved. So post whatever it is you do to volunteer! :)

V.

[Susie]

I volunteered at a SAG stop for the Santa Cruz Mtns. Challenge on 8/5. I had planned on riding this year, but since I'm injured I couldn't.

If you can't join them, feed them!

Susie

[Geonz]

I would not promise to "lead" 45 people - I mean, unless you've got the status of the Tour de France, 45 people in one group is dangerous, so it's just as well that it's unlikely to actually happen. When I've been on rides like that I figure out where I'm going to ride (and if it's not me, somebody rides sweep), and we figure out places to regroup.
I lead our Saturday Saunter, and do whatever needs to be done for our club's big fundraiser ride - it takes a whole *crew* to (wo)man it.
We also have some "unsupported" group rides, but no promises are made. This means people end up being happy because we do try to take care of folks, but the description is "no food, no sag, just maps - bring a friend or just tag along." There are always a few mother hens (of any gender :)), though there are also always a few tales of woe... but generally, people know that's part of the adventure. It's *not* a supported ride.

[Pedal Wench]

I always volunteer for the two century events that my club puts on each year. I usually work parking and SAG, but will also help out wherever I'm needed. It's so much fun and we ride the route the day before, so it's not like I'm missing out on that.

Thread-Jack: Pedal Wench...which 3-Day? I'll be working a rest stop at the Philadelphia walk.

We're providing the bike support for the Atlanta 3-Day. I'm really excited - and they were excited to have us volunteer. We'll be working along side of the motorcycle crew.

[makbike]

I'm stuffing packets for the Old Kentucky Home Tour Monday evening!

[Veronica]

That's the thing about volunteering. There is so much to do before the ride as well. Packets to be stuffed, food to be bought and divided out...Then after there is all the clean up!

Whoever said they'd rather ride, could consider doing some pre-ride stuff...

Me, I HATE clean up!


V.

[maillotpois]

My bed time is too early for me to work clean up! :D I barely made it to the end of the Tam Double.... :rolleyes: I'm generally in bed by 9:30. I know, old lady or something.... I'd rather be up at 4 doing prep.

Tam double was fun to volunteer for. I was shocked at how many people on the metric and century course flagged me down only to ask if I could give them a ride back. Um, NO! I am supposed to be 30 miles from here supporting the double century riders. Sit under a tree and drink some water. (None of these people were in any distress - and I DID give the separated shoulder guy a ride home.)

[SadieKate]

You know, Kim, Bubba and I were talking about the days when the expectation was that SAGs were for real emergencies - medical or unrepairable mechanicals. The expectation was that you were to be self-supporting as much as possible except for liquid and food. What happened to that?

[maillotpois]

Yeah - I agree! I mean, as roving SAG I will stop if you're at the side of the road, because maybe I can help with my floor pump, or give water or food and I had a complete tool kit. But I am not a shuttle bus. Unless your bike is unrideable or you are physically unable to ride it. Or there are locusts or other apocalyptic sorts of things going on. And I was specifically instructed this by the ride director - don't give rides unless the above are in play. And when he was telling me this, I thought, no way someone is just going to want a RIDE. How wrong I was!!!

Seriously, some of these people just seemed like they just decided they didn't want to ride any more. And it wasn't a super hot day or anything. For a ride that had a 30 mile route as an option, I was surprised.

[Bike Goddess]

I was a marshal for the Tour de California. We had premeetings, etc. but no clean up when I got back to the start. Glad I did it.

[Veronica]

I barely made it to the end of the Tam Double.... :rolleyes: I'm generally in bed by 9:30. I know, old lady or something.... I'd rather be up at 4 doing prep.


Well I was thrilled to see you and Thom there cheering me in! :D

V.

[maillotpois]

It was well worth it, believe me. :D But I am usually in bed by then. Which is pretty pathetic. I guess getting up at 5 every morning makes it tough to stay up past 8 or 9. Sad. Thank heaven for TiVo or I'd never see the grown up shows.

[enzed]

I happen to be a "regular" volunteer. I tried it once to see what it was like, I've been coming back ever since.

Over the last 5 years I have volunteered in 11 supported cycle holidays.
In Australia, bicycle organisations in NSW, Queensland & Victoria put on 9 day supported cycling/camping holidays.
I have volunteered in 5 New South Wales Rides, 3 Queensland & 3 Bicycle Victoria rides. I was going to volunteer in Cycle Queensland which is on in September, but I wasn't selected. That peeved me a bit. They are going to go to Far North Queensland this year, & it would have been a great trip.

I usually volunteer in catering, as I know what I'm doing & I know alot of the people involved. Feeding hungry cyclists can be hard work, but the smiles & "thank you's" make it all worth the effort. Being involved in these trips ais a pleasure. I get to see different parts of the country, have met some great people & have spent fun evenings in many a country pub.

Last September I rode my first "Big Ride", the 2005 Cycle Queensland ride. It was so interesting to see what cyclists get up to all day. I had so much fun, I'm thinking of riding this years Great Victorian ride.

From all this it's pretty obvious that I enjoy my volunteering holidays. All my time off during the year is spent on these trips. It's been ages since I've been on a holiday, where there was no camping or cycling involved.

[susan.wells]

My LBC hosts a 3-day ride. I've done roving SAG. The company I work for sponsors the local marathon (Sunburst) and I've worked that one also. Speaking from both sides of the fence, provider & participant, I appreciate the volunteers tremendously when I'm a participant. As a provider, so far I've only assisted with no contribution to the planning, I'm somewhat shocked it (the event & services) all comes off as good as it does. For example, this last ride a participant suggested that the event host provide a cell phone number to a central SAG dispatch so you don't have to rely on roving SAG alone. I think that is a great idea & have seen it provided on many rides I've done. I think events should poll for suggestions because it is a difficult job to plan & implement an event without omitting something no matter how thorough you may be.

[crazycanuck]

Does this count-I volunteered at the Half Ironman in Bussleton this year & have helped out at a few perth mtb events...

I'm volunteering at the Ironman in december & am more than happy to help out somehow.


c

[pooks]

I'm curious, how many people have volunteered for an organized ride.

V.

I don't know if this counts, but my husband is a ham radio operator and has provided communications for MANY triathlons, marathons and cycle events through the years -- and I rode in the car with him. (Um, okay, he was the volunteer and I was the person sitting in car beside him reading a book.)

[mtbdarby]

I've done volunteer work at 3 mtb events - the national race this summer I did registration and time recording (the manual version as back up to the chips). The other racesn were WEMS series races that I kept time at also.

Since I'm still off my mtb this year I figured I needed to help so others could ride. It's also my way of staying connected to the sport and meeting other very intersting people.