Week 270

Positive post Sunday, April 24, 2022- Week 270.

This week has been, and continues to be, a VERY busy week for the MANY volunteers who have put the Redlands Bicycle Classic (RBC) back on our community calendar. I am so proud and grateful for each and everyone of them and their contribution to this world class community event. As I’ve said many times, especially during the years I was privileged to lead the team of fellow volunteers as president and race director, “The RBC is far more than just a bike race!”. This is especially true this year, as we pull out of the pandemic and work responsibly to return to a sense of normalcy. Foundational events like the RBC are what make our community unique and the “Jewel of the Inland Empire”!

This weekend also grounded me in “The Triangle of Life”.

FAITH: Michele and I have once again been honored to play a small, yet very important, role leading the School Visit Program this year. The program connects cyclists from around the world who compete in the professional stage race with the youth in our community through visits to our local schools. During this year’s visits, the athletes shared their experiences and journeys to the elite level of cycling and reinforced the importance and value of health, nutrition, safety, and fitness with our students. Cyclists from 25 teams completed 29 school visits, making a lasting impression on over 9,000 students.

From a Faith perspective, one visit stood out. My Faith was strengthened when I attended the school visit at Wildwood Christian Academy. Following the visit, the principal asked the 2 cyclists from the Mike’s Bikes team who presented to the students if he could say a prayer for them and their safety during the race. It was a very thoughtful prayer and powerful moment. As they say, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. See the photo I look below.

FAMILY: Michele and I have been involved in the RBC for many years and we consider the volunteers we have been privileged to work side by side with to put on this foundational community event, not only friends, but Family. Although we still have one more day left today, our RBC Family has put on another world class event.

And then there is our SCHOOL Family. The photo below with Michele and Brian Zander in black shirts and many RUSD teachers in pink shirts was taken after they successfully completed the public/kid’s races yesterday. Our thanks to Brian for once again leading this effort where the local youth in our communities from age 3 to 17 energetically road their bikes on parts of the same course the professional cyclists road.

FITNESS: From listening to the cyclists talk about their training at the school visits to seeing the kids prepare for the public races, there is much to say about Fitness. Fitness, both physical and mental, is a prerequisite for success in cycling, and one of the important themes very visible throughout the RBC event. It’s our hope that one of the many benefits/outcomes of the RBC is encouraging our youth to see the importance and value of Fitness. I can tell you firsthand that many do. I rode my bicycle out in front of ALL the kid’s races (yes from age 3 to 17) and we have many fit kids in our community! I made it all the way up to the 13-year-old boys before one of the kids passed me on the second lap, and then in the next race a 16 year old girl beat all the girls and boys after starting 30 seconds behind the boys (including me). Apparently, I need to work harder on my Fitness!!

How do you contribute to the betterment of your community?

How do you support the development of the youth in your family and community?