Every year since 2009, the community has coalesced around the creation and execution of Levi’s Gran Fondo. Volunteers from Sonoma County and beyond routinely show up with their time, their hands and their goodwill to make the Fondo what it is today–a celebration, a fun day on two wheels, a challenging day on the bike, or an all-out race for fame and cash in the world’s richest road race. 

This e-treatise is dedicated to recognizing those volunteers. When you see how much fun these folks are having, you might be tempted to ditch the bike and join them. 

Let’s start with a who’s who at our world famous aid stations. Santa Rosa Cycling Club will be running the Cloverdale aid station, the busiest of the event, supporting four of the seven routes. SRCC has been bringing their enthusiasm and local knowledge of these landscapes to Levi’s Gran Fondo every year since the event’s birth. 

Local youth mountain bike team Annadel Composite–aka “The A-Team,” will be running the Mercuryville/Geysers aid station. These kids love riding dirt, but Bike Monkey wagers many of them will be on the Growler roster in the coming years. And we can’t wait. 

Your Redwood Trails Alliance will be on scene at the Alexander Valley aid station and at the Friday expo. RTA works to build world class trail experiences in Sonoma, Napa and Lake Counties. Thanks RTA!

The Rued Winery aid station will be staffed by Forget Me Not Farms, a haven for children and animals to bond and break the cycle of abuse. FMNF is the primary beneficiary for the King Ridge Foundation, and they’ve been an integral part of Levi's GranFondo each year.

The Santa Rosa Rotary Club will be on hand at the King Ridge aid station, serving Gran and Growler riders and racers at mile 45 where these folks will just be warming up. Thanks Rotary for your support here and elsewhere in our communities!

Red Peloton, “An Elite Sonoma County Bike Racing Team & Community-Oriented Cycling Club” will be running our Lake Sonoma bottle hand-up aid station where Growler competitors can receive outside assistance. You can bet some of their teammates will be passing through!

At each aid station we have local SAR (Sonoma County Search and Rescue) to tend to any boo-boo’s you might have and HAM operators (Sonoma County Radio Amateurs) so we have constant contact out on course…just in case we need it, both to ensure the safety of all our participants.

Meanwhile, back at the festival and start/finish at Town Green in Windsor, West County Composite will once again be assisting our longtime hero Ed Buonaccorsi with the bike valet, and Wasteless Windsor will ensure our recyclables are being sorted from trash on event day.

Consider this: Levi’s Gran Fondo is our biggest event. 2,000+ riders. 40+ vendors. Press. Live Streaming to the world. Thousands of behind-and-on-the-scene hours to make it happen. Bike Monkey Inc. has a staff of three. Our existence is not possible without you. Thank you. 

‍

Join us for one or more of the following volunteer positions:

• Packet Pick-up / Registration – Greet riders as they check in and get ready for race day. From the first-time group rider to the seasoned pro, everyone gets the pre-ride/race jitters! Your friendly welcome will set them at ease.
• Traffic Control – Help our riders stay safe on course! You'll be helping to stop and guide vehicle / cyclist traffic near the finish line. This is a front row seat to the action!
• Bike Bedazzling – Assist riders and festival attendees with provided art supplies and materials to bling out their bikes. Want to make a 6-or-60-year-old smile? Bike Bedazzling! 

As a volunteer, you’ll score a special “crew” t-shirt, a keepsake water bottle, and an invite to this year's volunteer appreciation party. Plus, if you put in 4+ hours, you’ll be fed in grand, gourmet style.

‍