By Bob Groeneveld/91原创 Advance Times

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Volunteers are 鈥渟tarting to trickle in,鈥� but the Valley Granfondo still has about 100 openings on its roster for helpers.

That鈥檚 what it will take to get the bicycle wheels rolling out of Fort 91原创 when the The 8th Annual Prospera Valley GranFondo gets underway on July 20.

Officially, in the original Italian tradition, Gran Fondos are planned bicycle rides of at least 120 kilometres, but the July event starting from and ending in Fort 91原创 is laid out in three course lengths, from a full 160 km for serious cyclists, to an easier-to-manage 50 km for beginners and youngsters.

To get them all off on a good and safe start, a contingent of 鈥渆arly riser鈥� volunteers will be needed 鈥� people who won鈥檛 mind being ready to help out at 5:30 in the morning 鈥� said volunteer coordinator Jennifer Wolowic.

There鈥檚 still a need for people who can come the day before to help set up equipment and markers and such.

Course marshals are also needed, Wolowic noted.

Those are people who will be posted along the GranFondo routes, to watch out for the participating cyclists, to warn them about upcoming hazards such as railway crossings or rough pavement, to keep an eye open for possible safety issues, and to cheer the riders on.

About 40 points along the way have been identified 鈥渨here it would be good to have someone鈥� to provide warnings about possible issues ahead, or where cyclists might appreciate a rousing welcome to get them through a tough spot鈥� like a steep hill, for instance.

The cheerleader part of the job is important, Wolowic said, to give cyclists a bit of greatly appreciated energy boost when they really need it.

In return for their service, volunteers will get a meal and a T-shirt, plus a pre-event appreciation dinner on Monsday, July 15, to recognize their help.

Plus, added Wolowic enthusiastically, 鈥淭hey get to be up close and watch a thousand participants go by.鈥�

They can also feel good about helping the community with more than the Valley GranFondo itself.

Part of proceeds raised by the event will go to 鈥済etting kids on bikes,鈥� promoting youth sports, and generally supporting youth in the community, said Wolowic.

鈥淲e are run by individuals who have a passion to help others through cycling, a sport we love,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e believe in helping our youth be successful both on and off the bike.鈥�

The GranFondo team is 鈥渃ommitted to giving back to the sport of cycling, promoting healthy living by bringing families and friends together through the sport of cycling, and raising funds to support the growth of the sport throughout the community it serves.鈥�

Learn more at https://www.valleygranfondo.com/#volunteer.

Reach out to the GranFondo team on Twitter @valleyGranFondo, or Facebook @ProsperaValleyGranFondo.

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