Community, camaraderie and encouragement are at the heart of the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo. Just like riders, volunteer participants are a big part of this event!
(Sign up opportunities will continued to be added and updated through the first week of September. Check back for live links, coming soon.)
From pre-event preparations, packet distribution, venue setup, rest station excitement, and post-ride cleanup, volunteers arrive with many special talents to share and important roles to fill.
The 2021 event will operate in new ways and some of the help needed will look a bit different because of that. This year, 100% of volunteer tasks will take place entirely outdoors. Where a safe distance cannot be maintained between volunteers and potentially vulnerable participants, there might be the need to remain flexible to take some additional precautions, if needed. Thank you for your interest in supporting the event and it’s charitable mission!
Here is an overview of available volunteer opportunities for the 2021 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo. To be directed to specific opportunities, read on:
Rest Stations are important stops along the Alpine Loop, Shenandoah Mountain Adventure, Shenandoah Mountain Century, Mt Solon Metric Century and Valley View Challenge routes; providing riders with food and drink, minor mechanical assistance and parts. But when the ride is complete, what cyclists remember most about the Rest Stations are the incredible support and enthusiast encouragement provided by the Volunteers.
Sign up to assist:
Chestnut Ridge Coffee Roasters at Thorn Spring Park Rest Station
Bluestone Bike & Run at Brandywine Volunteer Fire Department Rest Station
Rocktown Bicycles and ShenRock at Sugar Grove Rest Station
Wyse Cycles at the Briery Branch Community Center
Volunteers are encouraged to drive their personal vehicles along the route to assist at Rest Stations, where you can also cheer for the riders who are special to you. Spectator/drivers are not allowed to follow individual riders along the course; instead select a spectating location or Rest Station where you can connect with your special person on the course. Volunteers who drive a vehicle capable of carrying bicycles are asked to check in with the Rest Station Manager before departing, in case a cyclist needs to be returned to the Finish Line Festival. For additional flexibility, please consider driving a vehicle with bicycle carrying capacity. Participants will be asked to carry a mask during their ride and you can request they wear one in your personal vehicle if that makes you more comfortable.
Course Marshals will be stationed at intersections and other locations along the routes to direct and caution cyclists. Some of these tasks (downtown course marshals) can be handled by cyclists who will also participate in the event – often in exchange for a partially discounted entry fee.
Sign up to help course marshal:
Downtown during temporary street closure 7:25-8:15 a.m.
On-course intersections and vehicle-based volunteers
Packet Distribution Volunteers are needed in the days leading up to the event, and event day. These roles can even be filled by riders who will participate in the Alpine Loop Gran Fondo – often in exchange for a partially discounted or free event entry (Sign up for one of the shifts below for 50% off. Sign up for a Saturday and Sunday shift for a free entry. Sign up then e-mail Erin@AlpineLoopGranFondo.com for entry discount details).
Sign up to serve as a packet distribution volunteer at:
Packet Pickup on Saturday, Sept. 25 Outside at Brothers Craft Brewing Brewery
Packet Pickup on Sunday, Sept. 26 Outside at the Turner Pavilion Event Start Location
Venue Setup / Finish Line Volunteers get to experience the amazing transformation of the Turner Pavilion into the setting for the Finish Line Festival. In just 2 hours, this great team of helpers sets up the Finish Line, places tables and spreads out chairs, pops up umbrellas in the grassy area, decorates the Pavilion with Alpine country flags, unveils the finisher medals and Swiss Bells, and places the bike racks – all in anticipation of the day’s cycling finishers. Throughout the day, other volunteers can help maintain the venue, distribute KOM jerseys, and assist with breakdown. At the venue you can also help the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition with the beverage zone.
Sign up to serve as a Venue Volunteer.
Sign up to serve as volunteer to help Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition with the special event beverage zone.
Volunteers will receive an event t-shirt, as available, if sizing allows.
If you are a team or individual who wants to lend your support in another way, please e-mail Contact@AlpineLoopGranFondo.com to share your interest and talents.