volunteers showcase: group 4

Group 4 of our 2009 volunteers includes a woman with 21 years of service plus riding as well as the unforgettable "Lobster Girl". Read about these people and other volunteers below:

Name: Garet Hickman
How long have you been volunteering for RTR? I started volunteering in 1987 as a young, wet-behind-the-ears EMT that loved Colorado and couldn’t afford a real vacation. It was so much fun that I kept coming back.
What roles have you played as a volunteer? I have worked on the Radio Support/Medic/Roving Marshal team since I started on the staff. I spend my day cruising the route making sure that all are safe.
What is your favorite RTR memory? I have had so many great times on the ride that it makes it difficult to name only one. The staff, cyclists, daily adventures and beautiful Colorado scenery are the things I enjoy the most.
What piece of advice would you offer a first-time RTR participant? Train enough to make the week fun, rather than work. Be prepared for any kind of weather. Be mindful of the safety rules, they are there for a reason. And, most importantly, have fun on this great adventure across the beautiful Rocky Mountains!
What Colorado town is your favorite? Colorado has so many beautiful areas that it is difficult to name just one. If I had to pick, I guess it would have to be Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley.
Name: Mark Sinclair
How long have you been volunteering for RTR? Ten short years.
What roles have you played as a volunteer? Signs – banner truck and aid truck.
What is your favorite RTR memory? My first year.
Why do you keeping coming back each year? Because of all the volunteers, they’re all my family.
What piece of advice would you offer a first-time RTR participant? Don’t start the day late.
What do you do in your spare time? Fix things around the house.
What Colorado towns are your favorite? Every town we pass through or stay at. I love Colorado, I’m a true native.
Names: Stephanie Sinclair
Nickname: Lobster Girl
How long have you been volunteering for RTR? This is my 5th year.
What roles have you played as a volunteer? Banner truck, Aid Station Marshall, Baggage.
What is your favorite RTR memory? My first year with “The Big Sag.”
Why do you keeping coming back each year? Getting to spend a week with a great group of people and hanging out with my dad and older brother.
What piece of advice would you offer a first-time RTR participant? Sunscreen!
What do you do in your spare time? Play with my little buddy Alto.
What Colorado town is your favorite? I’ve enjoyed all the towns we’ve visited.
Name: Penny Stiers
How long have you been volunteering for RTR? This will be my 21st year volunteering for RTR.
What roles have you played as a volunteer? All 21 years I have been a member of the Radio Support/Medic/Roving Marshal team – and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
What is your favorite RTR memory? It seems like whenever we run into cows or livestock on the road, I have usually been the lead vehicle out and have the distinct privilege of chasing, rounding up or trying to contain whatever critters have crossed our path!
What piece of advice would you offer a first-time RTR participant? Drink a lot of water during the day and put on the sunscreen. Also, watch out for ants and bees when you dare to tread off into the bushes!
What Colorado town is your favorite? I’m a native born Coloradoan, and I enjoy all the towns with their friendly, cozy atmospheres. I love Colorado, but I live in Hawaii and I like that too.
Name: Brent & Terilynn Taylor
Nickname: Frog and Lady Frog
How long have you been volunteering for RTR? This will be the 4th straight year of the Leap Wagon (Sag 4) giving folks in need a hop up the hill or into the next town. This is the first year officially for Terilynn to join us. Brent rode in 1990 and 1991.
What roles have you played as a volunteer? Always been assigned as a Sag driver, as well as registration which we like because we get to meet a large portion of the riders.
What is your favorite RTR memory? Overall, and as a rider, I really loved the ride to Greeley in 1990. EVERY participant had their name on signs or painted on the road by the townsfolk who were out in droves miles from town along the route cheering us on. Del Norte in 1991 was special, too. As a volunteer I really loved Chama, NM.
Why do you keeping coming back each year? Don't want to lose the spot on staff! This is a great getaway week to hang with friends old and new, see great scenery, and enjoy the spirit of volunteerism. In that last regard, by volunteering we're helping these communities through Post-News Charities. It just feels great.
What piece of advice would you offer a first-time RTR participant? In June the days are long. There is just no reason to rush. You came on the ride for the challenge, sure, but also for the great mountain scenery. So take it slow; get off your bike to rest your butt and to take some pictures; linger at the rest stops and make new friends; and last, enjoy the host communities.
What Colorado town is your favorite? Telluride. Some very pleasant memories 1977, music/festivals and the breathtaking scenery (San Juans!).
Name: Don and Linda Waller
How long have you been volunteering for RTR? Linda - 14 years; Don - 12 years was a rider in '94 and 95.
What roles have you played as a volunteer? Road Marshals and Aid Station Attendants; In 2007 Don drove the "Meat (meet) Wagon" for Dave Jackson, he can keep the job.
What is your favorite RTR memory? Linda - The Year that I made the20 year quilt for the RTR volunteers; Don - The year in Durango when we hade to re-route for the wild fires. We were at athe high school and talked to one of the firefighters, very young, and Linda asked if he needed anything, he said he could use a hug. Linda gave him a big one. It was a cool thing to see.
Why do you keeping coming back each year? The volunteers are from all over the state. It's like a large family reunion.
What do you do in your spare time? Linda - Quilting, cooking and reading; Don - Most anything outdoors.
What Colorado town is your favorite? Durango.
Name: Barb and Gene Wright
How long have you been volunteering for RTR? Seventeen years for Barbara plus two years riding during her "hay-day" years. Just seven for Gene but he peddled it 12 years when he was not so ancient and decrepit.
What roles have you played as a volunteer? Barbara is "Mrs. AID STATION 2" lady. She has also waved the Marshal Flag a few times. Gene has pulled Marshal and Aid Station duties plus BAGGAGE in 1989 before the age of volunteer assistance from the host communities. Those five days rendered me terribly sore and just about disabled.
What is your favorite RTR memory? Gene's is 1989 when he worked with Howard Carol pulling BAGGAGE and Aid Station duties. We were literally "baggage handlers," loading and off-loading those semi's. This conjured up memories that are forever deeply imbedded. Howard was such a hard worker, and a great team man. Barbara's is also 1989 when as a rider, she had to use the "RUNAWAY TRUCK RAMPS" coming down Monarch Pass (that was probably a first). Gene had forgotten to switch her front wheel calipers to the "brake" position when he off-loaded her bike from the car top rack that morning.
Why do you keeping coming back each year? We wouldn't miss Gold Hearted Worm's annual Rookie Review. By the way, has Worm ever stood Rookie Review?
What piece of advice would you offer a first-time RTR participant? Most importantly, this is a tour, not a race, so enjoy it and let everything just soak in real, real good.
What do you do in your spare time? Barbara doesn't have any spare time. She is care giver to Gene's 101 year old mom who resides with us, but is still very able to get around. We do pull the richly rewarding "Volunteer of America" duties of delivering groceries to shut-ins.
What Colorado town is your favorite? Other than Fort Collins where our home is, Durango has a lot going for it.