Volunteer
It takes over 200 volunteers to keep the event going, as always we are very grateful for any assistance provided by willing volunteers. If you’d like to help out at the event jobs for volunteers vary depending on location, time of day and skills.
All Volunteers will receive a guaranteed £35 entry the following year. Your entry link will be sent to you before Advanced Entries open in December.
Starting very early in the morning, jobs in Grasmere will include:
- Signing in the riders
- Checking rider IDs
- Making tea & coffee
- Car parking duties
- General marshalling in & around Grasmere village
In the afternoon duties will also include:
- Timing the riders
- Serving the rider’s meal
- Printing out rider certificates
- Car parking duties
- General marshalling in & around Grasmere village
On the Route
- Out on the road
- All junctions are marshalled along the 112 mile route so we need lots of volunteers to man these.
Feed Stations
- Help is also always required at the 2 feed stations
- The first is at Gatesgarth Farm, Buttermere (at 46 miles)
- The second is at Calder Bridge (at 80 miles)
Announcement: The next Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge will be on Sunday 12th May 2024
What jobs need to be done?
Before the event
Putting up road signs, putting rider packs together, getting the site ready… even mopping the banners
Marshalling
Out on the road, all junctions are marshalled along the 112 mile route so we need lots of volunteers to man these. We have received countless email and Facebook messages telling us just how much their efforts are appreciated and how important you are to the cyclists standing in the rain for hours, cheering the cyclists on and boosting their morale.
Skills
Specific skills aren’t a requirement to volunteer but if you do have any specialised skills such as First Aid, Mechanical, IT, Catering and you’d be happy to assist in these areas please let us know.
Volunteer Form
To volunteer, we require you to fill in some basic information such as contact details, availability on the Event weekend and transport requirements. The data collected on this form will only be used to contact you about volunteering at the event. for more details about how we handle your data please see our Privacy Policy
Volunteering will guarantee a place in the following year’s ride at a reduced price, details are sent out in the December before the Event.
Frequently Asked (volunteer) Questions
- What is the minimum age to volunteer?
You will have to be 16 but you will not be alone as we always have at least two marshals on each position.
- Will we receive any training?
Because of logistical problems with the distances involved we can only offer advice from our chief marshal by email.
- If I volunteer will it guarantee me a place in the following year’s ride?
Yes, you will be guaranteed a place the following year at a reduced price, details will be sent out to you in November.
- How do we get back from our Marshalling position?
Normally we would expect you to have your own transport, but if not we can help with travel arrangements for you.
- I am a joiner, do you need that kind of skill too?
Because we have a varied number of positions for our volunteers, we try to make the best use of any talents you may have.
- Do volunteers get food & drink?
Yes, on route there will be a volunteers pack handed out with sandwiches, choc bar, water etc. Any volunteers near the Grasmere HQ will have food provided there.