VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTIONS at AID STATIONS

Remember – the Aid Station is for the cyclist.
Make it a friendly and inviting place. Make them feel at home!!

AID VOLUNTEERS - PLEASE CHECK WITH THE AID STATION COORDINATOR UPON ARRIVAL TO THE AID STATION AND BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE EVENING.

Staff at each aid station:
1 person as coordinator
1 person as safety patrol
1 person for crowd control
1 person for clean uppatrol (keep up with trash)
1 person to stock energy drink
and 2 persons to prepare fruit

Please be cheerful. Most cyclists are very grateful for your presence, but there will always be one or two who are having a bad moment. Don't let it spoil yours. Keep smiling.

There will be four aid stations, with 6-8 volunteers (or more) at each aid station, to provide water, energy drink, and a variety of fruits to the cyclists. Trail mix, cookies, bagels, pretzels and other items may be a part of your aid station, but not every aid station has every item. These extra goodies are a gift for the riders. We print that only fruit, water and energy drink is available at the aid stations. The riders are asked to bring their own supply of protein-type food. You may need to remind the cyclists of this if they have questions at the aid station.

The hours of operation are listed on the map. Allow about 45 minutes to one hour to set up the station and adjust arrival time accordingly. Be sure to open at the time designated on the map. However, the closing time may be approximate.

PLEASE DO NOT CLOSE AN AID STATION BEFORE THE TIME PRINTED ON THE MAP!

Cycling may be extra tough and there may be stragglers to be taken care of a half hour or even an hour after the printed closing time. The SWEEP Crew will keep the aid station informed of the cyclists' condition and of those who choose to ride without the assistance of the aid station.

Upon arrival to the designated aid station spot, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO IS TO secure the area with cones, caution tape, spray chalk, and signs as needed for maximum safety for both the cyclist and volunteers.

Designate, sign, and tape off, as needed, areas for the bicycles, staff parking (SAG and medical vehicles), where the aid station EZ-ups should be placed, and how crowd control should flow. Aid station volunteer's vehicles should be parked OUTSIDE the designated aid station area (usually further down the road).

Set up two tables under one EZ-up, one table for the fruit the other table should be set for the energy drinks and water. The tables should be set up in a location that is easy for cyclist to approach the tables from all sides. Next, set up one EZ-up and table for preparing fruit, etc. near the aid truck. Set out the trash cans double or triple lined. Place a few rocks in the bottom of the box before the liners are put in to steady the trash can in case of wind.

There are several things to accomplish each morning once the EZ-ups and tables are in place:

1. Set out one message board and dry marker, (set out a second board if necessary), and the “maps” for the day.

2. Set out cutting boards and knives on the preparation table by the aid truck. Please wear ‘gloves' when cutting the fruit.

3. Rinse fruit in a blue create or with the hose from the water pump.

4. Line plastic pop cases with the 13 gallon white trash can liner. These will be used for the fruit.

5. Prepare 2 or 3 trash boxes. The empty fruit boxes work well. Line them with a 30- gallon trash bag. When full, twist tie and prepare another. Try not to over-load the trash bags, this makes it difficult for the company collecting the trash at the end of the day. Also, line a small box with a white trash can liner to have at your work area for spoiled fruit, seeds, pineapple ends, etc. Use 50 gallon trash bags for large trash can boxes.

6. Set out cans of energy drink. The Gatorade mixture – 1 ½ to 2 scoops per 24 oz.

7. Put all full trash bags and empty, broken-down boxes by the porta-potties.

After the work area is ready, start to prepare the fruit. Prepare both whole and half bananas. Cut oranges and kiwis in quarters. Cantaloupes and watermelons are to be sliced in pieces that are easy to eat. Pineapples should be trimmed at the top and bottom, sliced lengthwise through the center, and then sliced thin. Apples and peaches can be halved or quartered and some left whole after being washed. Apricots should be left whole after being washed. Grapes should be washed and separated into small bunches. Cherries, strawberries and blueberries should be washed and set out as is. At days end, any excess cut fruit should be brought to the Information Booth at the destination camping site.

While the Aid Station is open, those stationed at the drink table should kindly monitor the scoops of energy drink.

When the aid station is ready to close, repack the aid truck so that items can be easily off-loaded. Pick up any Lost and Found items and take them to the Info Booth.