Where, oh where, have the volunteers gone? Gone to gas prices everyone!

Gas prices may not affect whether a rider goes to a ride, but it may really put a limit on volunteers. Lately, many rides have found themselves very short of volunteers on ride day. And you can't really blame them; it's one thing to ride in the ride and pay $150 in gas, and an entirely different matter to ask volunteers to pay $150 in gas to come help at your ride.

So what does the ride manager do? What does a rider do?

Both riders and ride managers would be surprised at how few volunteers you need to put on a successful ride. I have been to a ride with only two people manning the vet check: the arrival timer and the vet. I have been to a ride with only three: the arrival/in-timer, P&R/vet secretary, and the vet. Of course, it is nice to have 10 or more volunteers at a vet check. Some of these positions may be the arrival timer, in-timer, out-timer, P&R people, courtesy P&R people, scribes for the pulse takers, and the scribes for each vet.

What happens when ride day arrives, and you, the ride manager, find yourself with two people to help at the vet check? You need to decide what is your most important position and what can you do without. This varies between regions. In some regions, the most important position is the in-timer. In others, it is the arrival timer. These two positions, along with the out-timer, can all be combined into one position. If you have your riders call their numbers out to the in-timer and cross a "line" when they are at criteria, the in-timer can record that time, and if the pulse taker is busy, the clock has still stopped.

I have noticed lately the vets are taking over some of the volunteer positions. Most vets will be their own scribe if need be. I have also seen vets serve as the in-timer.

It is important for the ride manager to communicate to the riders that volunteers are in very short supply so please be patient!

Riders, you need to be patient and understand that rides may not be run as they have been in the past. You are going to have to be flexible and "go with the flow" regarding this situation. This may include making sure the in-timer has your time, writing your own out-time on your card, and finding that poor timer to say that you are going back on trail. You may find yourself spending a little more time in line. Relax! You are not on the clock. Think of the alternative: no ride at all.

Riders, too, need to help at rides whenever possible. If you are pulled at a ride, grab a stethoscope and help out! Relieve that overworked timer for an hour or two!

And if you have crew members waiting for you to come in off trail, can't they help at the vet check until you arrive? It is very frustrating for a harried ride manager with a line of riders waiting for a pulse to see experienced crew members sitting around just watching the situation. The ride manager would really appreciate their help, if only for a few minutes!

As both riders and ride managers, we really appreciate our volunteers, but we must understand that with gas prices so high, we may not have the help we used to have. Be patient, communicate, and remember that we do this for fun!