Volunteering

Volunteers are a critical part of the CT Challenge bike ride.  This year we anticipate needing over 250 people to perform a wide variety of functions before, during and after the day of the event.  We couldn’t do this event without the help of dedicated volunteers!

If you’d like to help out this year, view the descriptions of each position and then select the role(s) you would like to be considered for.

Many volunteer positions are active for much or all of the day and you may sign up for multiple areas of interest. Positions that are staffed all day have been divided into five-hour shifts. These shifts do not match the timing of all of the positions but will give us a good indication of your availability.

Shift #1: 5:00-10:00am

Shift #2: 10:00am – 3:00pm (arrive by 9:30)

Shift #3: 3:00-7:00pm (arrive by 2:30)

When signing up for one of these positions, please make sure to select which shift(s) you expect to be available to work.

Please note that we will try to place everyone in their desired volunteer position(s), but cannot guarantee placement. For most positions, final assignments will be made 3-4 weeks prior to the event.

If you have questions about volunteering, or any of our volunteer positions, please contact:

Dan Root
Volunteer Coordinator
cell: c: 978-578-0717

Volunteer Positions

Pre-Event

Clerical Support (dates & times tbd)
Envelopes to be stuffed, papers to be sorted and other tasks prior to the day of the ride.

Brochure & Yard Sign Distribution (April – July)
Spreading the word about the CT Challenge is key to its success. Our goal is to have bike ride brochures in every town and in every bike shop in Connecticut. Can you help place brochures and yard signs in your town?

Gift Bag Assembly (20 people): Thursday, 7/26
Gift bag assembly will take place on Friday, July 29th. Please plan to spend 3-4 hours assembling bags.

Event Site Setup (20 people): Tuesday, 7/24 – Friday, 7/27
The site will be set up on Tuesday through Friday (July 24-27). Volunteers are needed to set up tables and chairs, hang banners and pack supplies and materials so everything is ready for the Saturday event. Set up should run from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Any portion of your day that you can contribute will be helpful.

Post-Event

Event Breakdown Crew (10 people): Event Day
Breakdown begins at 5:00 pm as all event materials are secured and the Hunt Club site is cleaned before leaving for the evening at 8:00 pm.

Site Cleanup Crew (10 people): Sunday, July 29
This effort runs from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm with the objective of clearing all CT Challenge materials from the Hunt Club, back to the CT Challenge storage facility.

Route Sign Pick-up (10 people): Sunday, July 29
All directional signs must be collected from the routes on Sunday morning (7/29) following the ride. This involves two-person teams driving pre-assigned sections of the route and picking up the signs as they find them. Car mileage will be reimbursed.

Pasta Party, Friday, July 27

Pasta Party Volunteers (20 people): Friday, July 27
Riders and families will have the opportunity to come to a pasta dinner on Friday, July 27. This will be a casual, informal way to enjoy good food, meet other riders and families and check in for the next day’s ride to save time for the next morning. We need volunteers to help set up for the dinner, check-in with guests, and re-set the tent for the next morning. Set up for the dinner will begin at 3:00 pm and the dinner will run from 5:00-8:00 pm.

Rider Registration (26 people): Friday, July 27
Riders attending the Pasta Party will have the opportunity to register early and save time the next morning. Registration will be open from 5:30-7:30 pm. If you fill this role, please also consider signing up for Rider Registration the next morning (see description below).

CT Challenge Store (4 people): Friday, July 27
The Connecticut Challenge Merchandise Store is open during the Friday night Pasta Party, 5:00-8:00 pm. If you fill this role, please also consider signing up for the store on Saturday (see description below).

Pasta Party Parking (10 people): Friday, July 27
The Pasta Party is casual, but organized parking is important to a smooth operation. Parking volunteers should be available from 4:45-7:00 pm. If you fill this role, please also consider signing up for the parking team the next morning (see description below).

Event Day – Onsite

Volunteer Check-In (Shift #1: 4 people; Shifts #2 & #3: 2 people each)
Check in all volunteers as they arrive, provide specific instruction sheets for each volunteer position, distribute volunteer t-shirts and lunch bracelets. Requires at least two people per shift.

Breakfast Crew (6 people)
The breakfast crew must arrive by 5:00 am to set up tables with bagels, muffins, croissants, juices, waters and coffee for riders’ pre-ride breakfast. Keep food areas clean and keep tables cleared. Riders depart at 8:00 am and breakfast will be cleared by 9:30am.

Rider Registration (26 people)
If you sign up for this role, please also consider signing up for rider registration at the Friday Pasta Party.
Volunteers register riders prior to the start of the ride, confirming rider information and distributing numbers, maps, etc. Volunteers must arrive by 5:15 am. Registration opens at 6:00 am and ends at 8:00 am when riders depart. Registration volunteers should plan to be on-site at least until 10:00 am.

Post-Ride Check-in (24 people; 8 people per shift)
Riders will finish between 9:00 am-5:00 pm and all must be checked in to confirm their safety and receive their gift bags.

Beverage Coordinator (9 people; Shift #1: 5 people; Shifts #2 & 3: 2 people each)
This position is at the Hunt Club. Riders and volunteers have unlimited access to water, Gatorade and an assortment of juices. From 5:30 am-5:30 pm, all the beverages must be poured, iced, mixed and replenished.

Honor Flags (8 people)
From 6:00-8:00 am, riders and guests will have the chance to create a small flag honoring or memorializing someone who has battled cancer. Volunteers will assist in the creation of these flags and then mount them in the ground along the Hunt Club driveway leading to the finish line. Flag creation begins at 6:00 am.

CT Challenge Store (10 people)
If you sign up for this role, please also consider signing up to work at the store at the Friday Pasta Party.
The Connecticut Challenge Merchandise Store is open 6:00 am – 6:00 pm (Shifts #1, 2, 3). Store volunteers should plan to be on-site 30 minutes prior to the start of their shifts.

Parking (20 people)
If you sign up for this role, please also consider signing up to work at the store at the Friday Pasta Party.
All parking will take place on the field at the Hunt Club, but we will need volunteers to ensure cars are parked correctly and in an orderly fashion. Parking volunteers will arrive at 5:00 am to be oriented with the parking plan and will be finished by 8:00 am when the riders depart. (Shift #1)

Junior Challenge Volunteers (20 people)
The CT Challenge Junior Ride is for children 5-9 years old. From 9:00-11:00 am, while older riders are on the roads, kids will be able to participate in their own version of the CT Challenge, cycling a small course on the grounds of the Hunt Club. Volunteers are needed for several aspects of this ride, including registration, start/finish line and road monitors/cheerleaders. This is a fun, rewarding role and always fills up quickly. Volunteers should expect to work from 8:00-11:30am.

Communications Coordinator (9 people; 3 per shift)
Our communications desk operates from 8:00 am-6:00 pm, tracking the progress and staying in constant communication with cyclists and volunteers in support vehicles and at rest stops on all parts of the course. (Shifts #1, 2, 3)

Finish Line Crew (12 people; 4 per shift)
Besides clapping and cheering on the riders as they complete their rides, volunteers at the finish line perform two important functions:  they (1) visually check the condition of riders as they cross the finish and (2) guide riders to post-ride check-in so we know the rider is safely off the course. Four crew members are required per shift. Riders finish between 8:30am-5:30pm. (Shifts #1, 2, 3)

Finish Line Announcements (12 people; 4 per shift)
As riders cross the finish line at the Hunt Club, we announce their names to thank them for their efforts and honor their achievement. To do this, we need a crew of four people, two at the finish line and two posted 1/4 mile from the finish. Finish line announcements run from 8:30 am-5:30 pm.

BBQ Volunteers (15 people; 5 per shift)
Volunteers are needed to help out with the post-ride festivities from 9:00 am-6:00 pm. This will be a festive and busy afternoon as riders and guests celebrate the accomplishments of the day. Duties include working with the caterer to organize food service, replenishing beverages, clearing tables and on-going clean-up. (Shifts #1, 2, 3)

The Clean Crew (12 people; 3 per shift)
Volunteers are needed throughout the day of the ride to monitor and manage trash, debris and miscellaneous clutter. Volunteer teams of three are needed for each shift. (Shifts #1, 2, 3)

Event Day – Offsite

Rider Rest Stop Volunteers (30 people)
Well-managed rest stops are critical to the success of the ride. Rest stops are located in the following locations:

Location	Routes Covered	Hours of Operation (est.)	Volunteers Needed
Redding	50, 75, & 100 mile routes	7:45-10:00 am	20 people
Bridgewater	75 & 100 mile routes	9:00-11:30 am	12 people
Lake Waramaug	100 mile route	9:45 am-1:30 pm	8 people
Roxbury	100 mile route	10:30 am-2:30 pm	8 people
Southbury	75 & 100 mile route	10:30 am-2:30 pm	12 people
Newtown	50, 75 & 100 mile routes	8:30 am-4:30 pm	16 people over two shifts
Fairfield	25 & 50 mile routes	8:00 am-12:30 pm	12 people
Weston	25 mile route	7:45-9:30 am	4 people
Southport	12 mile route	7:45-9:30 am	4 people

Each rest stop must be staffed, rain or shine. Tents and tables will be set up in advance and all food and supplies will be dropped off. Volunteers are responsible for preparing and serving food and drinks and keeping the area very clean. Opening and closing times for each rest stop vary according to when riders are expected to pass through. With the exception of Newtown, which will have an AM and a PM shift, all other rest stops are one shift.

Medical / EMT Support (15 people)
We are seeking doctors, nurses and registered EMTs to be stationed at the Hunt Club and at each rider rest stop to help ensure the safety of all riders. Length of this assignment depends on the location.

Cycling Marshals (35 people)
Cycling marshals are vital to overall rider safety, morale and course management. Cycling marshals must be skilled, hard-working cyclists who are able to perform routine bike repair. Marshals will be assigned specific routes and should expect to be on their bike for most of the day. As a cycling marshal, you will be working hard and challenging yourself for an outstanding cause.  (All cycling marshals must be reviewed and approved by the cycling marshal committee co-chairpersons.)

Corner Marshals (30 people)
There are many key locations on all the cycling routes where riders need to take left turns across on-coming traffic or cross busy intersections. Marshals, wearing brightly colored t-shirts, will be located at each of these spots to mark the turn for the riders and help them navigate the turn or intersection safely. Corner marshals will be assigned to a specific location(s) and must arrive at that location at least 15 minutes before the first rider passes through. Marshals must have their own transportation and may be asked to move to a new position after all riders have passed their first position. Depending on locations, corner marshals will remain in one location from ½ -3 hours. (Shifts #1, 2, 3)

Drivers (4 people)
Drivers are needed throughout the day to transport supplies and/or people around the course. Drivers must supply their own vehicle. Mileage will be reimbursed. (Shifts #1, 2, 3)

Photographers (10 people)
Our volunteer photographers document every part of the CT Challenge, including team photos, photos of cyclists on the course and cyclists and families at the Hunt Club celebrating a successful day. Typically our photographers work most of the day and provide their own transportation around the course (mileage reimbursed).

Photographer Assistant / Driver (12 people)
We will have 10+ photographers and a camera crew shooting the CT Challenge from different perspectives, both at the start/finish area and out on the course. We like to team photographers with an assistant to log the names of subjects of posed shots and to drive the photographers on the course. (Shifts #1, 2, 3)