Event Volunteers

The Nature Valley Bicycle Festival is a completely volunteer run organization.  These are people just like you who have a passion for cycling or want to help Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota (and often both). But there are never enough of us, so we need your support.

    (New Sign Up Method This Year!)

There is a wide range of volunteering opportunities suitable to all preferences, ranging from seated to physically demanding. You are sure to find a role that is perfect for you!  Scroll Down to read about the various roles.  Click here to learn about the roles.

Questions?  E-mail us @ volunteer@naturevalleybicyclefestival.com or check our FAQ.

We need volunteers for the following events:

• Wednesday June 12  St Paul Time Trial (morning - East River Road) 
• Wednesday June 12  St Paul Criterium (afternoon/evening - Rice Park) 
• Thursday June 13 Cannon Falls Road Race (afternoon/evening)
• Friday June 14 Uptown Minneapolis Criterium (afternoon/evening)
• Saturday June 15 Menomonie Road Race (morning/afternoon)
• Sunday June 16  Stillwater Criterium (morning/afternoon)

* No Experience Necessary!  *

Anyone can volunteer (children must be accompanied by an adult) and no prior experience is necessary! 

Each volunteer will be asked to sign this form: http://www.usacycling.org/forms/volunteer_release.pdf  
To speed time at check in, please fill it out ahead of time and bring it with you. Note that children under 18 need to have an adult sign their form.

Each volunteer will be asked to follow our Code of Conduct by presenting a professional and caring image.

Thank you for volunteering.  You make all the difference!

Volunteer Job Descriptions

Expo Set Up

1. Set up the Bike Corral by positioning pedestrian barricades (heavy metal fences) and covering them in snow fencing
2. Position equipment for each vendor according to their needs
3. 10x10 tents (it takes 4 people to put up a tent, one on each corner)
4. Table(s)
5. Chair(s)
6. Weights (hold the tents down from winds)
7. Unpack the free samples from our sponsors to make it easier to hand out to the spectators and dispose of its packaging
8. Bring a pair of work gloves

Race Course Set Up

This role includes a variety of set up tasks for the race course itself.  Some heavy lifting is involved, especially the pedestrian barricades and hay bales.

1. Position pedestrian barricades (heavy metal fences) around the start/finish line and other areas where it is important to keep spectators off the course (and cyclists ON the course) for safety.
2. Construct stage/scaffolding/truss near the start/finish line.
3. Hang sponsor banners from the pedestrian barricades the near the start/finish line and other areas
4. Hang snow fencing from the pedestrian barricades
5. String “caution” tape where we don’t have barricades, but need a visual cue for safety.
6. Position hay bales for safety and sweep the hay off the street once they are in place.
7. Bring a pair of work gloves

Course Marshal

Course Marshals are responsible for keeping the race course safe for both the cyclists and the spectators by controlling spectator traffic with ropes/flags and informing people when it is safe to cross the street.

This role requires you to stand for an extended amount of time, but does not require any lifting.

1. You will be wearing a safety vest, waving a flag and blowing a whistle to warn spectators of approaching cyclists. (Ear plugs will also be provided.)
2. You will be receiving a Course Marshal orientation prior to starting, so please be sure to be on time for your shift as this orientation schedule is built into the shift times.
3. Since you cannot leave your position for the duration of the race, please bring a back pack to hold your belongings/food/water and also to keep both your hands free.
4. Some course marshals will also direct the children during the kid’s race which occurs between the women’s and men’s races.

Tear Down

This role includes a variety of tasks for dismantling the race course, the vendor expo area, and the bike corral so that all the equipment can be brought to the next venue to be put up all over again.  Some heavy lifting is involved, especially the pedestrian barricades and hay bales.

1. Remove snow fencing, roll up and put on truck.
2. Remove sponsor banners.  (Banners need to come down in the reverse order they went up in, so they are positioned for the next day.)
3. Stack pedestrian barricades back onto the truck.
4. Deconstruct stage/scaffolding/truss near the start/finish line.
5. Remove “caution” tape.
6. Remove hay bales and sweep the hay off the street once they are removed.
7. Deconstruct the expo tents, tables, chairs, and weights and put them on the truck.
8. Remove all garbage left behind by the expo and put into the dumpster.
9. Deconstruct the bike corral and put pedestrian barricades and snow fencing into the truck.
10. Bring a pair of work gloves and a wire cutter (for the zip ties that hold the banners in place). 

Green Team Recycling Recycling for Uptown

Come help us green up this great event.  Volunteers are needed to set up, take down and monitor the recycling containers throughout the course during the event. These are small foldable containers from Hennepin County.

Info Booth

Help keep spectators informed by handing out programs, helping people locate things on the maps, answering questions about race schedule, who is winning, etc. (this information will be provided to you).

This is a seated role that is not active and does not require any lifting.

T Shirt Sales

This role involves selling T-Shirts to spectators.  This is a seated role that is not active and does not require any lifting.

Handling money is involved.

Instructions on working the credit card machine will be provided.

Volunteer Booth

This role involves being in the volunteer booth before and during the events and helping to ensure the volunteers have what they need, know where to go, and are being taken care of.  Without them we couldn’t do this race.  We love our volunteers!

There are a variety of tasks, and although no lifting is involved, it can be a pretty active place requiring you to move around the booth providing the volunteers with what they need.

1. Volunteer check in:  Take signed waivers, provide t-shirts and supplies for each role (e.g. safety vests, ear plugs), direct volunteers to their positions.   
2. Kids race registration: Take waivers for kids participating in the kids race, direct kids/parents to where the kids race will start, hand out race numbers and safety pins.
3. Once the kids race is done, give a medal to each participant.
4. Deliver food/water to the course marshals (they cannot leave their position).
5. Provide volunteers with food/water and keep water coolers stocked.
6. Hand out thank you gifts and collect volunteer equipment at the end of the shifts

Bike Corral

Keep a watchful eye over the fully-enclosed corral to be sure bikes are kept safe.   This role may require you to stand and give/take people’s tickets when they are checking their bikes in/out, but does not require you to handle their bike or lift anything.

Intake/release of bikes as people come/leave.

There is a single exit/entrance, away from the primary flow of traffic.

No money is involved.

Schwag

Unpack the free samples from our sponsors and dispose its packaging

Hand out free samples from our sponsors to the spectators

Chaperone

As a chaperone, you are responsible for getting your assigned rider to the drug testing station at the appropriate time.

1. Attend an orientation (on race day) to learn about doping control and your role in it
2. At the completion of the race, locate and escort your assigned racer to the designated doping control location.
3. Note that there are strict guidelines and restrictions for this role.  Please refer to the chaperone guide to ensure you meet the criteria.

Moto Marshal

Looking for skilled motorcyclists to be motor marshal for the St Paul Time Trial, Cannon Falls and Menomonie road races plus Menomonie Gran Fondo.  A moto marshal rides in front of the racers with the state patrol and/or sheriff.   You will help the local law enforcement direct oncoming drivers off to the side of the road as the race rolls along as the racers will take up the full width of the road - ala Tour de France.  A motor marshal’s job is to pull up to the drivers and help them understand what's happening or simply block them from proceeding.  You role is to keep the racers safe from traffic.  Some marshals may also carry photographers and/or members of the press if they are able to carry passengers and volunteer to do so.

There are no requirements other than to be a experienced motorcyclist with current endorsements and a cool head.  We prefer marshals who can volunteer for both events (It costs the event $100/marshal for insurance regardless of number of races ridden).  All volunteers are appreciated regardless of number of races marshaled!

Gran Fondo MotoMarshal Information:

Meet at Field House (parking lot #4) at Saturday, June18th, 7:00 am for orientation meeting. Parking lot is south east of 13th Ave w & S Broadway Ave, Menomonie, WI.
Duties:

1. Ride safe, Keep bikers safe and keep drivers you meet safe.
2. You and the cyclist follow the rules of the road!  Keep to the right, follow road signs, etc.
3. Split up as the ride starts with one moto marshal riding scout for each pack of riders.   One marshal at back of packs at start.  When the pack thins out, move to the front of a pack.  You and the cyclist follow the rules of the road!
4. Crest hills in advance of the pack you are marshaling, to alert on-coming traffic of the following pack of cyclist.
5. Arrive at State Highway crossings in advance of the pack. Stop and wait for the riders to stop, also. Proceed across the state highway as a group.
6. Have cell phone communication to our central dispatcher to report any accidents or riders needing mechanical support. (Phone number will be provided at 7:00 am meeting)
7. Rest Stops at 21 miles, 37 miles, 55 miles. Your marshaling group may or may not stop at the rest stops.
8. Moto Marshals stop with group. You are welcome to eat food, use rest faculties with cyclists.
9. Have Fun!
10. Eat lunch (the volunteer team saved you a sandwich) relax before your next event.
11. Men's Race orientation at 11:00, Women’s Race orientation at 1:00
12. Men's Race starts at 12:00 Women’s Race starts at 1:30
13. Share what worked and how you think your orientation/ duties could be improved at 4:30.

Click here for additional Gran Fondo information.

Cannon Falls Moto Marshal Information

Prior to arrival
 

1. Full fuel tank
2. Helmets are Mandatory
3. Come prepared for the elements – race goes on unless it is severe weather

Arrive before 4:00 p.m. 
Park your bike in the designated location by the stage. (See diagram in Moto Marshal Info)

Go To the Volunteer Tent in Expo Area

1. Sign in, Pick up a zippered safety vest, goodie packet, treats if desired (can also be picked up after race)
2. Pick up radios with boom mike if assigned at large RV (radio with boom mike)  We will use the operations channel
3. Meeting by stage at 4:30
4. Stage by bicycles 4:50 for 5:00 start (women’s race stage 5:20 for 5:30 start) Pick up Press if not before.

After race, return vests and radios, quick review to discuss what worked and where we can improve.

Moto Marshaling in General

1. Safety – Most important Aspect – For yourself, the drivers you meet and the Racers!
2. Information – You pull up next to the drivers and inform them that the race is coming – ask them to wait on the shoulder until the race passes.
3. Courtesy – Be polite and kind as possible, they do not know why they are being pulled over!!
4. Placement – ahead of the lead official Stay behind the lead Squad Car, unless asked to change by the Tech Director.
5. Ride in 2 groups/ race  (½ in behind sheriff 1,  ½ behind sheriff 2) (see diagram in moto marshal info)
6. Fill in the space between the sheriffs   and the race officials (the goal is to have the road always occupied so no one enters the course until all of the racers have passed.
7. Radios provided to 1 rider for each group, primarily for receiving instruction.  Look to that person for additional direction 
8. If you get behind the racers, slowly approach the racers on the left side of the road and have the race officials help you move to the front of the racers.
9. If bikes over take you on a downhill – be safe and to the keep to the left. (Single file)
10. Bathroom breaks – on your own, ride ahead and be discrete.

End of Race Caravan Deviation: Approach the finishing circuits, follow onto Broadway turn right at team parking, NVGP leader will direct you off the course.  A police car WILL enter the circuit, please do not follow.  (You will not be able to leave when the race is in progress)

BE SAFE – HAVE FUN!!!!