The words imprinted in our logo "Service, Safety and Communication" are a very good summary of what we do…
We want to ensure the bicycle riders participating in rides sanctioned by the National MS Society of Texas (NMSS in short) are doing it safely and we provide as much help as we can to accomplish that.
First and foremost, you need to know you will be riding your bike, most of the day (sometimes for 6-hours, sometimes for 10), but at a very slow pace (most of the time, you will be cruising at 20/30-mph) and that includes very frequent stops.
These are RIDES not races. For us, the idea is to chill out, enjoy the scenery, riding our bikes and helping people. We are not here to finish first or to win anything…
You will be yourself most of the day. Having Marshals riding in group is inefficient and reduce our coverage. You will meet your follow Marshals at almost every single Break Point, will waive them multiple times a day as we do a lot of back and forth during the length of the course. We do coordinate among us, as we do with the Ride's Director but, most of the time, you will be the master of your own fate and the captain of your soul (adapted from William Ernest Henley) from during the ride.
If that still sound appealing to you, below a list of we typically do, during a ride, which includes, but is not limited to:
Service
Helping bicycle riders with small mechanical issues and (most of the time) flats. Even if the help is reduced to lend them the foot pump you are carrying, they will be grateful to not have to use their CO2 cartridges.
Safety
Should you witness an accident, and based on your abilities and willingness to provide this type of help, you will administer first aid help, help secure the scene, sometimes redirect traffic and report to the Ride's Organization and/or LOE.
Be sure that any non-authorized vehicles are impeding the ride and report them to LOE.
Communication
Be the eyes on the ground of the Ride's Organization, and provide critical information about accidents, incidents, number of riders left on the course… Or perform any mission given to you by the Ride's Organization…