Our volunteer route leaders love what they do – hear firsthand from some of our amazing route leaders about their experiences on the road with us:
Which ride(s) have you led, and what years did you lead them?
Ted Yates: I’ve led the GAP and C&O Ride (Pittsburgh to Washington, DC) in 2023 and 2024
Jade Budowski: I lead the Atlantic Coast in Spring 2023, and the GAP + CO in Fall 2023.
Drew Gallagher: I have led the Olympic Peninsula & Pacific Coast in 2024
John “Butch” Breegle: I have loved route leading the 2022 Northern Tier, 2023 Atlantic Coast, 2024 Florida Coast, Olympic Peninsula, Pacific Coast, and North Lakes
Jeremy Francis: 2023 Atlantic Coast and Northern Tier, 2024 North Lakes and will be doing the 2025 Grand Canyon & Zion tour.
Elliot Plummer: I lead the 2023 Northern Tier and the inaugural 2024 North Lakes Tour.
Tessa Nefouse: I lead the Olympic Peninsula Tour and the Pacific Coast tour, both in summer 2023.
What was one thing you loved about being a route leader?
Ted Yates: I loved sharing the experience of riding one of my favorite trail rides with new riders. I also love the camaraderie that develops between the riders on these adventures.
Jade Budowski: One thing I loved about being a route leader was the opportunity to cheer other cyclists on and be a resource. I was SO scared and new to the world of cycling when I rode the Northern Tier in 2022, and the route leaders were vital in making me feel safe and encouraging me even when I felt really low or nervous!
Drew Gallagher: I loved getting to be a part of people’s adventure that they’ve spent months, years, or even their whole lifetime dreaming of embarking on and now it’s here! Everyone is here for a different reason and is looking for their own experience.
John “Butch” Breegle: What I love most about route leading is finding the time to compliment team members about their accomplishments being either their commitment to successfully completing a difficult riding day or the funds they have generated to help people with MS. I think this provides a positive difference to finishing a rewarding bike tour.
Jeremy Francis: Being around the crew and helping everyone out. Surprise rest stops or treats and the riders’ reactions to them.
Elliot Plummer: As a route leader, I really loved meeting with so many people throughout the country. Sometimes as riders we get to be individualistic, but as a leader, you are put into an ambassador role. For me, I loved speaking to the country about our message and our goals.
Tessa Nefouse: There were lots of things that I loved about being a route leader, that’s hard to choose! I think for me it would be the relationships you make and conversations you have with every rider on the trip. It’s easy on journeys like this to stick with a group or a few people. But with being a route leader, it’s your responsibility to make sure that everyone’s needs are being met and that everyone is out there having a good time. It fosters a sense of community and inclusion, and that’s really important on a long bike tour!
What surprised you the most about being a route leader?
Ted Yates: I was surprised by the cooperation and expressed gratitude of the riders. They validate that what you are doing is a worthwhile endeavor.
Jade Budowski: I had the advantage of having seen route leaders in action before I became one, so I actually wasn’t really surprised by too much once I had the chance to do it! If anything, maybe how important the little things end up being? Like the power of a team treat to boost morale, or having music playing at rest stops!
Drew Gallagher: I think what surprised me the most is the difference in people’s needs and responses to the same situation. People’s reactions to events are so multifaceted that they will always surprise you.
John “Butch” Breegle: What surprised me most is the team helping either setup camp or help setup rest stops so the riders still coming in will have an enjoyable refreshing time when they arrive.
Jeremy Francis: When setting up the rest stops or waiting, all the random people that would come talk and make donations.
Elliot Plummer: What surprised me about being a leader is truly how much work is done in order for the tour to go as smoothly as possible. As a rider in 2018, my only job was to get from Camp A to Camp B. I knew there was some more work as a leader but starting to get camps booked 5 months in advanced was something I hadn’t considered. As a leader you have to make sure the vans are filled up, points of contacts were contacted, rest stops are available, and riders know where they were going, etc. It’s a lot of memorable and rewarding work.
What piece of advice would you give to someone who was thinking about being a route leader?
Ted Yates: Lead by example. Don’t expect the riders to do something that you wouldn’t do yourself. Be patient and encouraging with riders that begin to doubt themselves. “You can do it!”
Jade Budowski: (Call me cheesy, but…) If I had to give any advice to a potential route leader, I would say just do it! Go into it with Duncan and I lovingly call “rah rah!” and be ready to roll with anything. You’re making more of an impact than just driving the van, running rest stops, and coordinating accommodations – you’re who those crazy cyclists turn to when they need help the most! The beauty of leading a team on the road is just how many surprises come up along the way, and how close everyone gets. Be prepared to make lifelong friends!
Drew Gallagher: Everyone requires varying levels of certainty, support, information, whatever it is. The challenge of being a route leader is doing your best to respond and support your riders throughout the tour – while dealing with the same adversities yourself. Seek to understand your riders as people and do what you can to support their growth. Always have fun.
John “Butch” Breegle: My best piece of advice for you considering being a route leader is to realize team morale is one of the most important steps to a cohesive successful journey on a multi day tour.
Jeremy Francis: Get good at answering the same questions repeatedly lol. Have patience and just take it all in.
Elliot Plummer: One piece of advice I would give to future route leaders is, it’s okay to take time for yourself. Sometimes it is necessary. While your role is to lead and make sure people are safe, enjoy your ride, stop to take photos, really witness the vastness of the country, or the unique land scapes she has to offer. This is your ride as much as it is everyone else’s!
Tessa Nefouse: If you’re not planning on riding with the group, or you’re already a pro, I’d build up a good repertoire of tasty group camp meals, games, or other activities to have fun with everyone! There’s always a possibility that morale goes down throughout the trip, and it can mean a lot to the riders to have the route leaders plan a special treat, or try to boost spirits along the way. If you’re planning on riding with the group, do some pre-trip ride training! It’s not impossible to start a tour with little long distance cycling experience, but it is harder to keep group morale (and your personal morale) up if you’re super tired at the beginning.
Dream summer alert!
Bike the US for MS is looking to hire route leaders for our 2025 season! Read on to learn more about this amazing opportunity and hear firsthand from our route leaders why their experiences were so incredible.
P.S. – Alumni, we have a bonus financial incentive if you sign up to be a route leader after having completed any ride with us before!
What makes someone a good route leader?
If you are passionate about helping those with MS, assisting cyclists in achieving their dreams, traveling the open roads through America’s scenic parks and cities, and having an incredible life experience while gaining great work experience, we would love to have you as one of our route leaders in 2025!
What’s involved in being a route leader?
There’s a wide variety of responsibilities that come with being a route leader, including:
- Helping cyclists navigate routes and stay safe
- Setting up rest stops with water and snacks
- Driving support vehicles
- Communicating with hosts and leaving accommodations better than you found them
- Approaching every day with attention to detail and a great attitude
- Making occasional treats for the team – pancakes or a pasta dinner go a long way for morale
This is a volunteer position, but a pretty sweet one — you’ll get a stipend on the road to cover all of your expenses, and we’ll reimburse you for the cost of your travel to and from the trip!
Inspired? Apply to be a route leader today!
The responsibilities of being a route leader are wide ranging, but so are the rewards. These trips could not happen without the helpful hands of our route leaders. Join us in our mission to help those living with MS, and give cyclists the trip of a lifetime!
Email info@biketheusforms.org if you’re interested in being a route leader, especially if you’re a Bike the US for MS alum. We would love to have you as part of the team that makes everything possible!
