Volunteer Descriptions

Hospitality:
This is communications central and the home for the Northern Neck RiverRide Store. Hospitality is the place where cyclists come to get answers to questions, check for messages, search lost and found or buy Northern Neck RiverRide merchandise. Hospitality is open at Tent City from 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm on Friday and then again on Saturday from 6:00 am - 5:00 pm. Are you a people person and want to be where the action is? Hospitality might be just the ticket.

Parking:
Want to help the tour start off well? Help us direct traffic as the cyclists check in for registration and get settled in at Tent City. Can you point? Ever wanted to tell a car where to go? Do you enjoy the outdoors? If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions, then the Parking Team is for you. Let us know what time you can help, anytime from 3:00 pm - 9:00 p.m. on Friday, or 6:00-10:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Registration:
We know everyone is eager to get settled and prepare for a fun weekend of biking. We need you and many other volunteers to help make registration as efficient as possible. Registration volunteers typically work a 4-5 hour shift from 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. on Friday and 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Let us know when you are arriving and when you are available and we'll get you scheduled. Registration is a fun way to greet old friends and make new ones.

Safety Monitors:
Safety is priority # 1 on the Northern Neck RiverRide. Over the years, our Safety monitor program has been one of our most successful efforts at promoting safety. Obviously, VDOT, the state police, and local sheriffs will help us through major intersections. It's the intersections that don't appear dangerous that have the potential for serious accidents. It's cyclists drafting each other or following too close. It's a sharp left turn on a country road with blind oncoming traffic. These are the situations that our monitors cover to insure everyone's safety. They are there for the cyclists, not the motorists. They warn you to be cautious about various route conditions. With their help, the Northern Neck RiverRide's cyclists enjoy a safe ride.

The monitors generally cover an assigned place for 1 ½-2 hours. Monitors usually bike the entire route. There is a need for non-biking monitors as well.

Bike Smart Virginia:
Our cyclists range from Category 5 racers to beginning novices. A part of our mission is to teach safe and effective cycling skills to cyclists, young and old, experienced or inexperienced. Bike Smart Virginia trainers often are Effective Cycling instructors certified by the League of American Bicyclists, but many are not. Different cycling skill and safety tips are taught at the Rest Stops. A workshop might cover proper helmet fitting, repairing a flat tire, proper gear selection, cadence, or dodging rocks and potholes. We always need more instructors to serve the cyclist wanting to learn new techniques and improve their existing skills. We provide the training for the instructors - a great opportunity for you to learn.

We know that well-trained, well-equipped, happy volunteers are the bedrock of the Northern Neck RiverRide. Team Captains have formed bonds over the years that go beyond merely volunteering one week out of the year to help put on an event. We care about each other and our 500 cycling family. Won't you join us this year? If you’re ready to help, just call us at (757) 229-0507.