Twin Lights Ride
Five route options showcase the gorgeous seaside vistas, rolling hills, and farmland of New Jersey.
Overview
Centered around the Navesink Twin Lights just up the hill from Huddy Park in Highlands, New Jersey, this ride showcases the best of the Garden State—coastal panoramas, undulating hills, quaint rural farms, and much more. Whether stationed at the start/finish in Huddy Park, helping folks refuel at rest areas, or fixing flats on the road, volunteers play a huge role in making this a special day for some 2,500 cyclists.
Important Details
Date: Sunday, October 1, 2023
Duration of shift: 3—11 hours, depending on role
Location: Highlands, NJ
Age Restriction: Volunteers must be 14+ on the day of the event. Some volunteer positions are restricted to those 18+.
Registration: All volunteers must register in advance of the event.
Perks: Volunteers will receive a complimentary breakfast and/or lunch, t-shirt, early registration access for 2024 events, a 50% discount on registration for the 2024 Discover Hudson Valley and Twin Lights Rides, and (if needed) a free ferry ticket from NYC to Highlands, NJ on ride day.
Volunteer Positions
RIDING MarshalS
- Duration of Shift: 5—11 hours, depending on route
- Bike repair skills required
- Volunteers in this role must be 18+ by October 1, 2023
- Volunteers must bring their own bike
Riding Marshals ride provide safety and direction to riders along the route. Responsibilities include helping participants with flats and bike repair, responding to road emergencies, providing information to participants and spectators, and helping stationary marshals wherever needed. Volunteers in this role should have some bike repair experience. Riding Marshals must be able to ride the entire route for which they sign up (15, 30, 55, 75, or 100 miles).
Riding Marshals must attend one virtual orientation before the event.
SWEEPS
- Duration of Shift: 5—11 hours, depending on route
- Bike repair skills required
- Volunteers in this role must be 18+ by October 1, 2023
- Volunteers must bring their own bike
Bike Sweeps provide safety and direction to those riders at the back of the pack. Responsibilities include helping participants with flats and bike repair, responding to road emergencies, providing information to participants and spectators, and helping stationary marshals wherever needed. Note that volunteers in this role will be riding behind the slowest rider on their route. Sweeps must be able to ride the entire route for which they sign up (15, 30, 55, 75, or 100 miles).
Sweeps must attend one virtual orientation before the event.
COURSE MARSHALS
- Duration of Shift: 5—8 hours, depending on post
- Volunteers in this role must be 18+ by October 1, 2023
- Volunteers must bring their own bike
Course Marshals are stationed along the route in potentially confusing or dangerous areas, and are assigned to complete specific tasks in their area. Responsibilities include: alerting participants to road conditions, assisting with road emergencies, encouraging slow riders, and providing information to participants, spectators, and nearby residents. While most of the role will be stationary, Course Marshals should bring their own bike and must be comfortable riding to their post in the morning and back to the Finish when they’ve finished their assignments.
Course Marshals must attend one virtual orientation before the event.
FERRY GREETERS
- Duration of Shift: 3 hours
New York City-based Ferry Greeters check-in and assist participants and volunteers as they board the ferry in lower Manhattan. Ferry Greeter volunteers may board the 8:00 AM ferry if they wish. Highlands-based Ferry Greeters welcome participants and volunteers as they arrive, then direct them towards registration.
START & FINISH AREA VOLUNTEERS
- Duration of Shift: 6—7 hours
Start & Finish Area Volunteers cover a multitude of important tasks including the setup and breakdown of the start and finish area, directing bike traffic, preparing and helping with breakfast, registration, and providing information to participants and spectators. Start & Finish Area Volunteers do not need to bring a bike.
REST AREA VOLUNTEERS
- Duration of Shift: 4—8 hours, depending on rest area
Rest Area Volunteers cover a multitude of important tasks including the setup and breakdown of rest areas, directing bike traffic, preparing and handing out snacks and drinks, and providing information to participants and spectators. Rest Area Volunteers do not need to bring a bike, but they must be able to travel directly to the rest area.