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Without the help of our volunteers, the Tour of the Ozarks wouldn't be possible. We always need more help, so if you would like to give us a hand please give us a call at 573-341-2386 (evening) or 573-368-2849 (day) if you or your organization would like to help out.
Set-up All of the rides begin and end at Beuhler Park and all supplies must be staged and allocated to their proper rest stop at Buehler Park. Set-up includes moving coolers, tables, chairs, food, drink, registration supplies, and prizes into place at the park. Registration Registration duties include signing in riders, collecting their donation, assigning numbers, and handing out goodie bags, T-shirts, route maps, and water bottles. We also need skilled typists to enter rider information into our database. We do this on site so that we can award prizes as soon as possible. SAG SAG, or support vehicle duty includes driving the route with the bicyclists to ensure their safety, bringing supplies to the riders or the rest stops, and keeping the HAM radio personnel aware of riders' progress and needs. This is an extremely important function as it is the only way that we can monitor the riders throughout the routes. SAG vehicles are identified with a sign and a blinking light, and are supplied with food, drink, pumps, inner tubes, and first aid kits. We recommend having two people in each SAG vehicle. It is the SAG vehicle's job to watch for cyclists in need and hand out supplies if necessary. Rest Stops Rest stops are placed along every route to provide riders with food, drink, and relaxation. They are open during the times that we expect riders to be passing through that location. As long as a rider begins their ride when it is scheduled, they should expect the rest stop to be in service. Rest stops are equipped with at least two volunteers at all times, a card table and chairs, snacks, water/sport drink, first aid supplies, and usually, a HAM radio operator. Hand Out Prizes Prizes are donated by many businesses and organizations to serve as incentives and thanks to our riders. Handing out prizes includes verifying the rider's number, checking the prize lists to see if they have won anything, and then making sure that the rider is awarded the correct prize. Ride Headquarters TOTO headquarters is at Beuhler Park. Staff remains at the park throughout the day to answer questions, assist riders as they return from their rides, make sure that supplies get to the rest stops, and communicate between headquarters, the rest stops, and the SAG vehicles. We need assistance at Beuhler Park all day. Volunteers at the park may sit around and do nothing, or they may be asked to transport emergency supplies to a distant rest stop. Regardless of what the Ride Headquarters volunteers do, they will provide an essential role for the ride and will be very much appreciated by ride organizers and, most of all, the riders. |