volunteers showcase: group 1

Group 1 of our 2009 volunteers includes veterans with more than 16 years of service as well as tour riders who later returned to offer their time and energy. Read about these folks and other volunteers below:

Name: Patty Benson
Nickname: Patty B.
How long have you been volunteering for RTR? 6 years.
What roles have you played as a volunteer? I work at the Information Tent.
What is your favorite RTR memory? My first year, receiving my first “pin” at the last group meeting and saying goodbye to so many new friends.
Why do you keeping coming back each year? The awesome people you work with and the event is run as one of the best!!
What piece of advice would you offer a first-time RTR participant? Get some seat time in before the ride. Riders…this is NOT a race, safety is first so take time to enjoy the scenery.
What do you do in your spare time? Ski, snowboard, and social bike rides.
What Colorado town is your favorite? Gunnison, Cortez, Montrose, Delta.
Names: Jack and Paula Borland
How long have you been volunteering for RTR? We have volunteered for three tours and ridden six.
What roles have you played as a volunteer? Aid truck driver, Banner Truck driver, Fruit Truck driver.
What is your favorite RTR memory? Riding over Trail Ridge Road.
Why do you keeping coming back each year? Great people, great scenery, a chance to visit parts of Colorado at a slower pace while having fun.
What piece of advice would you offer a first-time RTR participant? Bring a camera—and ride slow enough to enjoy it all.
What do you do in your spare time? Biking, photography, keeping tabs on our nine grandchildren.
What Colorado towns are your favorite? Leadville and Salida.
Name: Tim Bradley
Nickname: Mr. Wonderful
How long have you been volunteering for RTR? 18 years.
What roles have you played as a volunteer? I have done baggage, road marshalling, banners, and Aid Stations.
What is your favorite RTR memory? Working with Marge Stall at Aid Station 1.
Why do you keeping coming back each year? I like talking to the cyclists, hooking up with my friends on the staff, and seeing this beautiful state!!
What piece of advice would you offer a first-time RTR participant? You will work hard but you will have fun!
What do you do in your spare time? Snow skiing, reading, community service work.
What Colorado town is your favorite? Steamboat Springs.
Other: RTR is a beautiful thing!
Name: Jan Owens Bruene
Nickname: Just Jan or Vol 2
How long have you been volunteering for RTR? 20 years - I rode the ride as a cyclist in 1987 with a group of friends from Iowa. I started volunteering in 1988 when I came out to ride again with my group, the Rainbow Cyclists, but RTR needed a volunteer and I had a hurt foot so I couldn't ride my bike.
What roles have you played as a volunteer? I have worked Aid Stations mostly as the road person for most years, but also was a marshall and took a turn at baggage.
What is your favorite RTR memory? There are so many it is hard to choose: Announcing our engagement at the top of the pass; searching for flowers with Sara; Dinner at Garlic Mikes; watching the sunrise on the way to my shift; shoveling dirt into the puddles to dry up the aid station; things like that…
Why do you keeping coming back each year? It is the good friends that we have made at RTR that keep me coming back - that and the sunglasses!
What piece of advice would you offer a first-time RTR participant? Do your work and you will be part of the family. Smile and say Hi everyday.
What do you do in your spare time? I like to play golf - not too good, but I love being out there and trying. I enjoy cooking; I used to bike, sew, knit, crochet and grow veggies - but I have moved on….
What Colorado town is your favorite? The Durango area is my favorite - mostly because that is where we started when I rode the ride and it is so lovely.
Name: Maggie Carr
Nickname: Trouble
How long have you been volunteering for RTR? This will be my 10th year on staff for the whole ride (1999 through 2008); I was a last day volunteer as well in 1998 and I rode the ride with my dad twice (1993 and 1996).
What roles have you played as a volunteer? Aid Stations, road marshal, baggage, and Executive Liaison.
What is your favorite RTR memory? I can't think of just one ... so many things pop to mind! I love meeting so many new people every year and seeing all my old friends from years past. I also remember being on the news with Larry Green and then last year with Greg Moody.
Why do you keeping coming back each year? The staff and riders are like a family and it is great to see people year after year; my dad and two uncles ride every year and it’s great to get to hang out with them and see them since none of us lives in the same place.
What piece of advice would you offer a first-time RTR participant? Train...do some hills before the ride (I wish I had done more or this before I rode). But most important when you’re out there HAVE FUN!
What do you do in your spare time? I'm a lawyer...what spare time? Just kidding, I read, hang out with friends, watch movies, do different arts and crafts (make wine), workout, ice skate (when I am near a rink).
What Colorado town is your favorite? Leadville, I lived there for a semester in college. It is cute and small, and the people are so nice. And there is Wild Bill's Burgers and Melanzana (the best outdoor clothes ... made right there in Leadville!).
Name: Charlie Charbonneau
Nickname: Tuna, COS, Chuck
How long have you been volunteering for RTR? 2 years.
What roles have you played as a volunteer? Paint safety and cleanup crew.
What is your favorite RTR memory? The Rookie Review with the Gary’s.
Why do you keeping coming back each year? It’s a really fun experience and I love hanging out with my dad.
What piece of advice would you offer a first-time RTR participant? Be prepared for Rookie Review!
What do you do in your spare time? Basketball, football, watching the Nuggets, sleeping.
What Colorado town is your favorite? Buena Vista.
Name: Worm
Nickname: Worm
How long have you been volunteering for RTR? 22 years.
What roles have you played as a volunteer? Technical Coordinator, Vice-President of Rookie Harassment.
What is your favorite RTR memory? Marge Stall giving me one of those famous “Hugger Marge” bear hugs at Aid 1.
Why do you keeping coming back each year? For the sense of shared accomplishment with the rest of the volunteer Staff. It’s a week-long family reunion with our RTR family.
What piece of advice would you offer a first-time RTR participant? This is a TOUR not a RACE! Enjoy yourself!!!
What do you do in your spare time? Fishing, Special Olympics, other misc. volunteer projects.
What Colorado town is your favorite? Whatever town we are in any night on Ride The Rockies.