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/...C-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.

[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.

[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.

[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.