Volunteers are the lifeblood of many sports, and time trialling is no exception.

From event organisers and timekeepers to pushers off and caterers, our sport relies on the goodwill and commitment of an army of people to make sure riders across the country can take part in safe and competitive events.

We spoke to some volunteers to see why they do it.

“It’s nice to put something back into the club,” said Tony Lake from Gloucester City CC. “A lot of the people on our committee are retired and it’s nice to help keep things going. I’m one of the younger ones at 47.

“Last year was my first full season as a racing secretary, but I’ve been marshalling at events for the last five years.

“It’s good to put something back into the scene as an organiser or helper, and promote the area that we ride in. It can be long days, but it makes you feel good when events have gone well and it’s gone without incident and people go home happy.

“You see the same characters and faces on the time trial scene and it’s nice to be involved. I do feel appreciated as a volunteer. At the end of the year at the club dinner you get recognition from fellow races, and without organisers and volunteers these things wouldn’t happen.”

Daniel Gadsby, 34, volunteers with Leicester Forest Cycling Club.

“I’ve been volunteering since I started time trialling about seven or eight years ago, and I organised my first event last year,” he said.

“It’s great to see events happen. If you don’t have volunteers you don’t have events, and that’s key. I think that everyone who races should volunteer in some capacity to make sure that everybody has a race to go to.”

Gadsby has two children who both ride with the club, and he added: “You get a sense of a job well done when you put on an event, and it means there’s money coming into the club which in turn goes into development. I’ve got two young kids and seeing them riding with our junior section is fantastic.

“I pushed off at the national 50 last year and that was a long day but great fun. You get to have a bit of a laugh with the competitors before the race, everyone’s in relatively good spirits and you can have a bit of a chat and put them at their ease.”

When the current Coronavirus lockdown ends, clubs across the country will need the help of volunteers to get the sport back to normal. Why not speak to your club committee about how you can help?

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