Friends For Life Bike Rally - A Benefit for the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation

Not interested in “pedaling your butt” all the way to Montreal? Not afraid of a little hard work? Do you like that satisfying feeling of really contributing and making a difference? If you’re considering involvement in the Bike Rally as a crew member, it‘s only the beginning of an unbelievable journey. By joining the Rustlers you get all that and so much more. You’ll be part of an incredible team working together for an incredible cause—with the potential to really make friends for life! Amazing people, plenty of food, group activities, festive daily themes and an energizing atmosphere all contribute to an unforgettable experience.

The Rubbermaid Rustlers are comprised of women and men, who, as a team of volunteers, transport all Bike Rally participants’ personal gear to Montreal in several 16-foot cube trucks. We provide two Rubbermaid bins per person on Packing Day and load and unload those containers throughout the week. Believe it or not, that’s 600 bins twice a day for 300 riders and crew. Over six days, that’s equivalent to 7,200 bins—and that doesn’t include the larger bins holding tents, chairs and miscellaneous other supplies!

Who knew that wearing matching hats and t-shirts could be so much fun? There’s nothing like the bond of the Rubbermaid Rustlers. Between February and July there will be plenty of opportunities to interact: the Launch Party, various meet ‘n greets, orientation meetings and gatherings. Our crew meeting in May is a pizza lunch with a Strength/Stretching and Camping Seminar, and the big Rustlers event in June is our Tent & Truck Day at Cherry Beach. It combines an afternoon of sun and fun with a potluck BBQ, driving practice for those unfamiliar with the trucks, and a friendly competition as we learn how to put up massage tents. Before you know it, the end of July is upon us and so is Pick-Up Day and Packing Day. And then we’re off—the satisfying hum of our tires on the pavement beneath us, the wind in our hair — hey, we got us a convoy!

Through the week, we’ll prepare many beautiful campsites for cyclist arrival by setting up massage tents, moving picnic tables into the dining areas, and assembling equipment as needed. At the end of a busy day, it’s time to go swimming, kick back and relax, enjoy a campfire sing-a-long or one of the many fun evening activities. And the next day we get to do it all again!

In Kingston and Montreal we ensure that belongings get into our place of accommodation and upon completion of the Rally, we transport the bicycles back to Toronto and work with the other teams to get supplies back into storage.

Those interested in joining the Rubbermaid Rustlers crew should review the following requirements:

• having a valid driver's license is preferred (two drivers per truck can take turns)
• must be willing to drive and/or navigate with supplied maps
• be responsible for driving safely and responsibly while obeying all rules of the road. Any fines and/or speeding tickets incurred are the driver’s responsibility
• be able to take direction from the Team Lead(s)
• be able to work within, and contribute to, a team environment
• be available for meetings and training sessions prior to, and during the Bike Rally
• pre-Bike Rally assistance with the pick up and loading of vehicles and supplies (Pick-Up Day)
• assume responsibility for the vehicle that is assigned to you, including all of its contents (keys, supplies, phone, etc.)
• be aware that the average day starts at 6 am and can be 10 to 12 hours long
• be prepared for physical labour while helping to organize, load and unload trucks, set up equipment, move tables at campsites, and assist other crews/teams as needed
• must be able to lift approximately 50 to 70 lbs
• be able to use cell phone/two-way radio
• post-Bike Rally assistance required to help unload vehicles upon return to Toronto

Interested in finding out more? Contact the Special Events Coordinator.