AZ Ironman Bike Handler Page

Already signed up to bike handle?

Signed up to bike handle at AZ Ironman with us? THANKS! We are your bike handler captains and have some important information for you. 

If you haven't signed up to help us at the race, please visit the AZ Ironman volunteer page (opens summer 2021) and sign up to bike handle. We'll be in touch after that.

FCA Endurance & AZ Ironman

Our huddle also:
  • Stuffs racer packets the Thursday before race day.
  • Holds an Ironprayer service on the Friday before race day, 4-5pm. 
  • Has a booth in the athlete expo Thursday-Saturday from 9am-5pm daily.
WHAT DO BIKE HANDLERS DO? 
  • Morning bike handlers help athletes find their bikes after they are done with the 2.4 mile swim and exit the change tent and encourage them.
  • Afternoon bike handlers will take bikes from athletes after the 112 mile bike and put them back on the transition racks.  Afternoon shifts have a few different roles. Click here for details. 

VOLUNTEER MEETING: There is no pre-race volunteer meeting. Make sure you have reviewed everything on this bike handler page and show up on time to your shift. We will run over things quickly with you at the beginning of your shift.

RACE WEEK: Visit the FCA calendar to see where else you can find us during Ironman week. 

GETTING THERE: We highly recommend carpooling, biking or taking the light rail to the race venue. Getting in and out of parking lots with closed /restricted traffic is tough! Exit the light rail at the 3rd Street and Mill Ave exit and walk north about a half a mile to the bike transition area. The fare is $2 per person per trip, but it might be worth it! When looking at the online schedule, put your cursor to the side of the schedule box and more stops/beginning locations will appear. 

PARKING: Spots are scattered throughout the town for nominal fees.  Consider taking the light rail or riding your bike instead! You can keep your bike in the transition area during afternoon bike handling shifts. This isn't possible during the morning shift since the athletes are running through the area getting their bikes. It is too congested.
Parking pass for bike handlers will be posted here race week. You can download the pass on your phone and show it as you enter, or print it.

PLAN AHEAD: Please give yourself enough time on race morning to get to transition area with ample time to prepare for your day. Roads will be congested as athletes, volunteers and spectators converge on the area in a short period of time. 

FINDING US ON RACE DAY: Sunday, race day. Both jobs are inside the transition area, needing our approval for security to let you in. Meet us at the locations noted below and one of us will be there to let you in.
  • 7:00am-9:30am shift- we'll meet you just outside the west end of the bike rack area, opposite the "run out." This area is marked on the map shown on this page, as a yellowish-orange crosswalk just west of the bike rack area, close to the Tempe Beach parking lot. Please watch part of the rolling swim start and check in with us by 7:00am. The mornings can be a little cool, bring a hat and sunscreen as well.
  • All afternoon shifts will meet at the beginning of your shift, on the south side of the bike transition area. It is marked on the map shown on this page. Please bring sunscreen, a hat and gloves to protect your hands from dirty bikes :) Wear a Garmin if you want to see how many miles you get in re-racking the bikes!

WHAT TO BRING: You will receive your volunteer shirt when you arrive for your shift.
sunscreen, watch/garmin, sunglasses, hat, positive attitude, comfortable shoes, clothes for warm as well as cooler weather. Afternoon shifts: bring gloves!  There will be a volunteer food tent where you can get something to eat and drink. Your volunteer shirt will get you into the tent.

REGISTRATION for next year's AZ Ironman race: If you volunteer during this year's AZ IM race you will be able to sign up as an athlete for next year's AZ IM race with priority volunteer registration. At the race, every volunteer will be checked-in on our database when they show up for their assigned volunteer shift(s).  Every volunteer that completes the shifts they signed up for will receive an email from Ironman during the week following the race which will have a unique link for their name allowing them to register a week prior to the general public registration. So, while volunteers are not guaranteed a spot, it is very likely that all interested volunteers will be able to register to race.  

VOLUNTEER PARTY:  Tempe Beach Park- near the stage and registration tent. Drinks, dinner and really great prizes! It will be easy to find because all else should be taken down by then.

John & Debbie Foster

Bike Handler Captains
Our bike handlers have earned "Volunteer station of the year" a couple times!