Volunteer Sign-up InformationCourse Marshalls Needed Volunteers are still needed for this year's Priority Health Tour de Leelanau. We have positions available for course marshals, caravan drivers, motorcycle marshals, start and finish line crews, course marking, and the Expo. In all, an estimated 300 volunteers are needed to conduct the Priority Health Tour de Leelanau!The unique point to point aspect of the Priority Health Tour de Leelanau also makes it very labor intensive as there are 150 different intersections that need to be monitored for safety. Course marshals are the most critical volunteer positions as marshals work to provide both the cyclists and motorists with a safe environment in which travel. In the week prior to the event, all course marshals attend an hour meeting to learn just what is expected of them in return for the best seats in the house (and to receive their official Priority Health Tour de Leelanau T-shirt)! Caravan drivers have to get used to driving a car at 25 mph while they are part of the race caravan! Race officials and neutral support mechanics need to have their own designated drivers so they can concentrate on the task at hand and not worry about what's up the road. Fluid intake and output control is a critical factor in selecting caravan drivers! Motorcycle marshals leap frog the racers as the motorcycle marshals proceed ahead of the peloton (the swarm of racers) and then stop at different intersections to help the course marshals with marshalling that corner. "It took me about half an hour to get used to passing the Sheriff 's vehicles without getting a ticket as I went from the back of the race to the front," said Joe Bottenhorn, motorcycle marshal captain. "It was the most fun I've ever had on my bike!" (Joe's "bike" is a BMW K1200 RS). Look for the motorcycle marshals' distinctive black and white striped vests this year! Start line crews help with parking for both athletes and spectators alike, as well as, pre-race construction and tear-down. These are the guys and gals who are calm under pressure as they have to ensure that everything is ready to go by 11:00 AM and 12:40 PM for the men and women, respectively. A late start throws everybody off the projected itineraries so it's imperative that the races start on time! The crew that handles the finish line are the party animals as it's fiesta time once the racers hit the finish line! Sometimes it's a simple as just taking care of an athlete's bicycle or escorting the winners to the podium, but working at the finish line can also mean keeping the road clear for riders still finishing, or even scrambling to keep the Pepsi and ice supplies well stocked. Sign up online!
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