Volunteer Information

Not riding, but still want to help? Then we hope that you’ll put your energy and enthusiasm into one of our two types of volunteer opportunities:  Yale Bowl Volunteers and Road Crew Volunteers.  Both are crucial to the success of the Ride and the major difference between them is the time you’re able to commit to the event. If you’re able to commit to the entire day and are 18 or older, please register as a Road Crew Volunteer. Yale Bowl Volunteers commit to shorter shifts during event day.

If you are under the age of 18, please contact us at rideclosertofree@ynhh.org or 203.200.CTFR (2837) to discuss volunteer opportunities. Thanks for your part in making the 2013 Closer to Free Ride a success. Register Today.

Road Crew Job Descriptions:

Bike Marshall Team:

  • Rides one of three courses ensuring cyclist safety and providing cautionary information.
  • Provides general inspiration to help riders achieve their goal distance.
  • Must be experienced in leading groups and must have basic knowledge of road bike fixes.
  • May be available throughout the season to assist with training rides.
  • Must ride their own bike and wear an ANSI or SNELL certified helmet.

Bike Transport Team:

  • Drives rest stop to rest stop and transports bikes from Riders who could not finish the day back to the start/finish site.
  • Must be comfortable driving 15’-24’ box truck.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license.

Bus Liaison Team:

  • Small team of people, each assigned to ride one of our support buses along the route.
  • Buses transport Riders from rest stops to the start/finish site, once the Rider has determined they cannot complete the day’s route.
  • Assist bus driver hired to transport participants by acting as navigator and communications assistant.
  • Provide moral support for Riders who are disheartened by their inability to complete the route.
  • Lift 10-20lbs.

Caboose Assistant:

  • Drive with Ride Staff to follow last Rider on each course and offer assistance where needed. 
  • Always remain behind the last Rider on each course.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license.
  • Drive either personal vehicle (insurance required) or an official event vehicle.
  • Lift 25lbs.

Motorcycle Safety Team:

  • Works with staff and local law enforcement to guarantee safe passage for riders during the event. 
  • Assists at difficult intersections and other locations as requested.
  • Team members direct riders only and in no way direct vehicle traffic.
  • Team members must provide their own motorcycle and helmet and have a valid motorcycle license and insurance.

Rest Stop Teams:

  • Manage set up, food distribution and traffic control at a designated rest stop location along the ride route.

Route Closure Assistant:

  • Drive with Route Closure Staff and work with Rest Stop teams to close rest stops according to schedule.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license.
  • Drive either personal vehicle (insurance required) or an official event vehicle.
  • Lift 25lbs.

Route Medical Team:

  • Made up of a variety of medical professionals, including RNs, MDs, EMTs and paramedics.
  • Provides First Aid medical support at each of the rest stops.
  • Will manage emergency situations that arise until local emergency medical services arrive on the scene.
  • Must provide license/certification and proof of insurance.

Sweep Team:

  • Drives vans and picks up riders and their bikes with fatigue, medical or mechanical problems and transports them to the next rest stop along the route.
  • Drive official event vehicles (no personal vehicles allowed).
  • Must have a valid driver’s license.
  • Lift 20-30lbs.
Yale Bowl Volunteer Job Descriptions:
 

Bike Parking:

  • Maintain bike parking racks at the start/finish site.
  • Provide security over bikes while participants are registering or enjoying the finish line festival.
  • Counts Riders as they return from the route.
  • Works closely with dispatch to report total numbers.
  • Serve as cheerleaders, welcoming Riders in from the route.

Break Down Team:

  • Assist in the break down of all event elements after the close of the finish line festival.
  • Ensures that site is left cleaner than when the Ride arrived on site.
  • Lift 20-30lbs.

Food & Beverage Team:

  • Maintain the food and beverage areas at the finish line festival.
  • No cooking or prep required.
  • Lift 25lbs.

Gear Check Team:

  • Manage the collection and distribution of Rider and Volunteer personal items at the start/finish site.
  • Provides security at Gear Check Tent, however not personally responsible for items lost or missing.
  • Lift 10-20lbs.

Massage Team:

  • Provides essential massage services at the start/finish site.
  • Ideally massage therapists will be experienced in sports massage.
  • Massage therapists required to provide their own massage table.
  • Must provide license/certification and proof of insurance.

Medical Team:

  • Made up of a variety of medical professionals, including RNs, MDs, EMTs and paramedics.
  • Provides First Aid medical support at the start/finish site.
  • Will manage emergency situations that arise until local emergency medical services arrive on the scene.
  • Must provide license/certification and proof of insurance.

Merchandise Team:

  • Supports the merchandise store at the start/finish site.
  • Loads and unloads merchandise.
  • Sets up and breaks down display materials and equipment.
  • Restocks merchandise.
  • Interacts with participants and the public.
  • Lift up to 50lbs.

Registration Team:

  • Check In and Register Riders for the event.
  • Collect donations and waivers.
  • Distribute wristbands and Rider jerseys.
  • Lift 20lbs.

Set Up:

  • Assist in the set up of registration, opening ceremony and finish line festival.
  • Distribute tables, chairs, and table covers.
  • Distribute trash & recycling bins and liners.
  • Lift 20-30lbs.

Traffic & Safety:

  • Maintains safe traffic flow at the start/finish location.
  • Manages vehicle parking area and directs vehicles to designated parking areas.
  • Checks in vehicles, allowing only those that are permitted to be on site with the event.
  • Requires standing for extended periods of time.
  • Lift 20lbs.

Volunteer Check In:

  • Check in all registered volunteers.
  • Provide any event supplies before deploying volunteers to their assignment at the start/finish location.
  • Serve as the information station and lost and found location for the event.

Kid Zone:

  • Assist with sign making and other arts and crafts.
  • Monitor the area and keep free of hazards.
  • Assist with the Kids Loop around the Yale Bowl.