We're shining some light on our amazing volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring our most popular events, like United Energy Around the Bay, to life.
MEET JOHN:
![](https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/John-Smith.jpg)
What motivated you to start volunteering on the Great Vic Bike Ride?
Being involved with fellow riders from different locations and experience many small and major beautiful towns across the country that I have never been to.
Tell us a bit about your role on the catering team
My role is to serve riders, fellow vollies and all other helpers on the ride for breakfast and tea. Breakfast is at 5:45am for 6:00am start till 8:00am. Then tea is at 5:00pm till 7:00pm. Help pack up at the end of the shift in preparation for the next camp site.
What is your favourite thing about volunteering?
My favourite thing about volunteering is the brief contact when serving the riders. I enjoy finding out how they are going and how their ride is. Meeting past riders from previous years and my old school group as well.
What is your most memorable moment of volunteering on the Great Vic?
One of my most memorable moments was out at camp at Beech Forest which my hero Cliff Young lived. Cliff won the inaugural alter marathon from Sydney to Melbourne in 1983 at the age of 61. He was known to train on his farm and around the district in his gumboots. Also known for a shuffle. I rode from our camp out of town to Cliff’s memorial. It was a very sparse place. The memorial was a huge rubber boot. Visited local house and was informed where Cliff’s farm and house where. I then went to the local pub where there was a lot of photographic memorabilia and talk about The Man. Had a beer in remembrance of the Great Man.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about volunteering?
My advice is to get onboard it’s a wonderful experience meeting so many likeable people and helping out to make the riders “Have a week in another world”. Not to mention the beautiful towns and scenery we visit and the welcome that they give you.
Thank you John! We hope to see you back on the catering team in 2021!
If you or someone you know would like to get involved, you learn more here.
Learn more about volunteering