Ride Volunteers

[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! I barely made it to the end of the Tam Double.... 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.... 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!

V.

[maillotpois]

It was well worth it, believe me. 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.