Century Volunteer Descriptions

To sign up for any of the jobs below, go back to the volunteer signup page.

Pre-Event Volunteer Opportunities
It takes a lot of work to get ready for the NYC Century Bike Tour, and it can't happen without the generous help of our volunteers. The positions listed below pave the way for a successful and organized bike ride.

• Route Markers
  

  Route markers spray paint all the arrows and directions that our 5500 riders will follow on the Century. We’ll be riding throughout August on small group rides of 7-15 miles. This is a perfect opportunity for people who want to get a sneak preview of the Century Route, but avoid the crowds on ride day.

• Brochure Distribution in Your Neighborhood Help us tell the world about the NYC Century Bike Tour by putting brochures out in community spaces in your neighborhood, like bike shops, gyms, coffee shops and the library. We'll mail you brochures to pass out on your own time.
• Plumb Beach Cleanup Crew
  Every year, a group of dedicated volunteers heads to the Plumb Beach section of the Shore Parkway Greenway and shovels sand, clears brush, and makes the bike path perfect for our riders. This opportunity takes place the week before the NYC Century Bike Tour with the date to be determined. We'll be in touch with you as to the best time to schedule the event.
• Day-Before Prep Crew

  There's a lot to do at the office to prepare for the tour the day before it happens! Strong volunteers can load up our vans with tour supplies at our office, while the personable make reminder phone calls to our volunteers. This is a really fun day involving lots of teamwork and camaraderie.

• Day-Before Ride Through
  If you wanted to volunteer as a marshal on the tour and can’t make Sunday, or just want to ride the route with less people, this opportunity is a great fit for you. Join a small team of people who ride through the route, making sure there are no last-minute road closures, street fairs, or other problems. Spray paint some worn out markings or add markings if they are worn away. This is a very important position.

Event Day Volunteer Opportunities (non-bicycling), Sunday, September 9th
Volunteering for the NYC Century Bike Tour isn't just for bike riders: hundreds of people volunteer to staff our rest stops across the city, register riders at our start line and do lots of other activities throughout the day. For all the jobs below, feel free to bring friends or a group along with you – the more the merrier!

• Rest Stop Crew
  Join us at one of our six rest stops, setting up tables and signs, preparing and serving food and drinks. If you cannot make the exact time listed, please let us know and we will work around your schedule. Groups are welcome! Times and locations available are as follows:

  Astoria Park 8:00am-1pm
  Astoria Park 1pm-5pm
  Empire Fulton Ferry 7am-10:30am
  Canarsie Pier 6:30am-11am
  Canarsie Pier 10am-1pm
  Kissena Park 8:30am-1pm
  Kissena Park 12pm-4pm
  Prospect Park 5:15am-10am
  Prospect Park 10am-1pm
  Van Cortlandt Park 8:30am-1pm
  Van Cortlandt Park 1pm-6pm

• Start and Finish Crew in Central Park
  Be where all the action is - at our bustling Central Park start and finish area. Many hands are needed at all times, so groups are welcome!
  Early morning setup crew unloads our truck, sets up barricades, tables and caution tape. A light breakfast will be provided for you. This shift is from 2:30am-5:30am.
  The start crew directs riders to the start, takes registration forms, hands out and make sure people wear bibs. This is when we need the most volunteers. This shift is from 5am-9am.
  The finish crew welcomes people back from the tour, helps hand out t-shirts and water bottles, serves food and drink to the riders, and cleans up the area. There are three finish crew shifts: 10am-2pm, 1pm-6pm, and 3pm-8pm.

• Unloading Crew
  Meet us at our office on 127 West 26th St #1002 to unload our truck and bring materials back into our space after the tour. You can meet us at Central Park at 7:00pm to help load the trucks, or meet us at our office at 8:30pm.
• Surprise Me!
  In recruiting volunteers, there will be places where we need more help than others, or a key position will be left unfilled. Sign up to help help anywhere, and we'll place you where we need the most help.

Event Day Volunteer Opportunities for People with Bikes, Sunday, September 9th

• Lead Team
  Ride ahead of the tour and be at the Triboro Bridge in Astoria, Queens by 9:30 am. Regulate the flow of bicyclists on the bridge and help some riders with their bikes on stairs. If there are any problems along the route, report them to the Event Director. Report to the marshal check-in by 5am.
• Sweep Team
  Sleep in and then join the elite team of sweep riders for either the 55-mile or 100-mile route. You will be responsible for helping lost, injured or slow cyclists. 100-mile team meets at Central Park at 7:30am, 55-mile team meets at 9:30am.
• Brooklyn Bridge Team
  Be a part of our fantastic Brooklyn Bridge Team and regulate the flow of riders on the Brooklyn Bridge. This is a very important position. After your duties, you may ride the rest of the tour, if you like.
• Triboro Bridge Team
  Almost all of the riders on the tour go over the Triboro Bridge. Due to construction, we need this year to regulate the flow of cyclists, make sure they know stairs are coming up, and occasionally assist people with their bikes up the stairs. We also need 4 people to volunteer at a key split on Ward's Island. If you choose either of these positions, you can ride as far as you like along the tour before your assignment. Your help is greatly appreciated here.
• Prospect Park Team

  Help direct riders at a key route split at Prospect Park. Enjoy the greenery of the Prospect Park. This is a great opportunity for marshals who live in Brooklyn and would rather start the tour there. Afterwards, ride the route of your choice or call it a day!

• Regular Riding Marshal
  Ride with the ride and stop to help out with flat tires, minor mechanical problems and injuries. For a complete list of duties and instructions please see our marshal instructions page. Marshals should attend our fun training ride on Sunday, August 27th.
  In order of priority, the positions are as follows:

  15-mile marshal. Central Park to Prospect Park. Arrive Central Park at 7:30am.

  35-mile marshal. Central Park along Brooklyn and Queens Waterfront. Arrive at Central Park at 7am.
  55-mile marshal. See the 35-mile route plus extended Brooklyn section. Arrive at Central Park between 6:30-7am.
  75-mile marshal. Help on the extended Brooklyn and Queens portion. Arrive at Central Park between 6-6:30am.
  100-mile marshal. Assist riders on the extended Brooklyn, Queens and exclusive Bronx section. Arrive at Central Park between 5:30-6am.

• Anywhere!

  We'll assign you to where we need the most help. This is the best position to sign up for.