June 19, 2015 – iRide enjoyed great weather last week and provided 1217 students at ten schools across the province with a safe and fun cycling experience. Kamloops coaches Ted Matson and Daniel McCunn traveled to Cataline Elementary in Williams Lake, Wes Ochitwa visted Ocean Cliff in Surrey and Julian Base worked at Sir Wilfred Laurier and Sherwood Park in Vancouver. Highlights of the week include the amazing community and hospitality of Williams Lake, a special field trip session for students in Comox and a second visit to Global TV with Jay Janower for iRide coordinator Ben Chaddock.
Watch Global TV interview here.
iRide Head Coach Ted Matson and Daniel Munn enjoyed a trek to Williams Lake last week.
From the minute we arrived in Williams Lake, we were welcomed with opened arms. The hospitality of this community was amazing. You could feel the air of excitement when we arrived at the school. As we approached the bike rack area, wheeling our bikes, we were swamped by inquisitive students. Are you the bike people? Have you seen my bike? Are we going to do tricks? The questions rolled on. We both new it was going to be another awesome week. – Daniel McCunn. Read more
Cataline school teacher Stephen Dickens reports:
The iRide Program came to my school this week and with it, two instructors, Ted and Daniel. As a classroom teacher of 29 Grade 5/6 students, I was surprised at the smooth transition from class to the biking and then back to class. The instructors were very clear as to where the classes would meet and where they would greet us upon our arrival. Not only that, Ted spent a fair amount of time the first day fixing a few bikes that had operational difficulties. This technical experience, coupled with their riding skills and knowledge AND their easy and warm personalities made this a tremendous opportunity for the kids. This was made apparent by the positive comments made by the students. I would be honored to be involved with this exciting and beneficial program for kids anytime in the future years. Thanks guys!!
iRide Head Coach Lauren Lan took her students on a big field trip to the local trails of Cumberland.
The student’s really liked nicknaming our coaching staff last week. I quickly became “Captain Cookie”, they named Shayne “Mars Bar” and our volunteer coach Kit, went by “Kit-Kat”. The first day was very hot and although it rained most of the remaining days of the program, it was a welcome relief and I found the students performed better given the cooler conditions. I was also able to use a few items from the school’s equipment room, including a large tug-of-war rope that proved handy for tight courses and shark island. I was able to stay with one of the local teachers and was able to really connect with the local community. I look forward to returning next year! Read More
The Whistler Cycling Club is also hosting a fundraising event on June 20th in support of iRide’s Whistler events. The Whistler chapter of Bicycles For Humanity and the Whistler Cycling Club have combined forces to promote and host this year’s Summer Solstice Ride. Historically this ride draws riders from the Lower Mainland and Sea to Sky corridor to a great ride and raises funds to support the shipping of donated bicycles to needy communities in Africa. Ken Chaddock notes,
This year, proceeds from the event will be directed to Cycling BC’s iRide program for youth cycling development in the Whistler area. Nurturing an awareness and attraction to riding in members of our community serves the missions of both non-profit groups, and leverages Cycling BC’s iRide program for youth cycling development. Please join us for fun and exciting ride in the beautiful Sea 2 Sky corridor. Read More.
iRide @ Whistler Secondary 2015 from Cycling British Columbia on Vimeo.
If you’re a fan of Cycling BC’s iRide program, check us out on Twitter, Instagram, or donate through Chimp to support our programs in your area. To learn more about iRide Summer Camp or book future in-school events, please contact iRide@cyclingbc.net or (604) BC-iRide.