The charts and text found on this page provide a summary of my efforts as a volunteer for Sustrans from April of 2012 through November of 2016.
I first discovered Sustrans in 2008 whilst planning my first cycle adventure to the UK. I ordered their maps, studied the routes, and planned my trip for September of 2009. Three years later, when I married my Welsh girlfriend and we resettled here, I felt compelled to repay my gratitude by volunteering.
Volunteer Totals
- Length of Time as a Volunteer: 4 years, 7 months
- Number of Days Volunteered: 187 Days
- Ride Leader and/or Event Host: 71 rides & events
- Amount of Hours Volunteered: 1,562 hours: 51 mins.
- Distance Cycled for Sustrans: 7,843.1 miles
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Note: You may view the details of each year by selecting the date in the left column above.
IT'S INTERACTIVE! Mouseover the bars in the charts below to view specific details for each year.
Number of Days Volunteered by Year
Amount of Hours Volunteered by Year
Distance Cycled for Sustrans by Year
Brief Volunteer Review
I was very fortunate for the support and encouragement Sustrans offered me as a volunteer. Essentially, they allowed me to explore a wide range of activities based on shared interests in the promotion of the National Cycle Network and to encourage safe cycling. I've outlined below a few of the more significant responsibilites I was given. (Note: All of my efforts were as an unpaid volunteer.) Thank you Sustrans! It was great fun... You folks ROCK!
Ride Leader
This was task was the core of my efforts over my five years as a volunteer. Sustrans sponsored my training at Cycle Training Wales so that my skills were fully developed, as well as to provide for proper national certification. I lead rides for groups of all sizes (from 4 to over 40 cyclists at a time) and for all ages (+8 and up). Most of the rides coincided with special events, such as the Newport Cycling Festival or the Swansea Seafront Celebration. But I also was asked to lead a ride for the Sustrans Board of Directors as they explored the possibilities of developing a new route.
Group Coordinator
I achieved recognition for my leadership capabilities and was offered the position of Sustrans Group Coordinator for Caerphilly County Burough. Responsibilities involved organising volunteer meetings, NCN Route maintenance assignments, as well as hosting larger group events. Regular group activities included event rides, litter picks, route maintenance, and hosting Sustrans booths during local festivals. Additionally, our group participated in the wider Sustrans Cymru and Sustrans UK events such as national cycle tours and international cycle meetings.
Doctor Bike
Sustrans sponsored me on a two-week course at Cycle Training Wales where I achieved offical certification as a Doctor Bike mechanic. I used these skills to provide free maintenance on group rides for the general public and at Sustrans booths during local special events. I also maintained the garage of office bikes at the Sustran office in Cardiff, as well as the personal bikes of the employees.
Cycle Instructor Training
As part of a second training course for advanced leadership, I was trained to teach cycle riding skills. I used these skills to instruct groups and individuals of all ages and experiences to follow the National Standard for Cycling, as well as to ride better, with more confidence, and especially more safely. Classes were offered to the general public several times a year free of charge and were held at the Sustrans office in Cardiff. The course I provided was a 2-day seminar combining both classroom and practical training sessions. I was also tasked with providing refresher course training for all new and incoming Sustrans employees. My Instructor Training was again sponsored by Sustrans and certified through Cycle Training Wales.
Green Ladies
As a culmination of my training, everything I had learned was brought together when Sustrans Cymru opened a "hub" office in Caerphilly. I worked closely with Sustrans employees to develop a cycling program for women. The purpose of the group was to provide cycle training, practical experience, and bolster confidence with riding bicycles across a variety of environments. Training included courses within closed circuits, traffic-free cycle paths, and quiet lanes. All intruction followed the National Standard for Cycling. Over two years we developed a group of women who met every week for training, group rides, and social meetings. We shared some wonderful adventures and it was great fun. I am very proud of the experience and the opportunity.
Thank you!
After nearly five years of volunteering, I decided to move on to new projects beginning in January of 2017. I am quite proud of my achievements with Sustrans and very thankful for the rewarding opportunities they so generously provided. I met many of wonderful people and made some life-time friendships. It was an experience I will always carry with me. Thank you again Sustrans for all your support and encouragement. It was an honour to serve you.