Chula Vista Bike Rodeo and Bike Giveaway Brings Holiday Joy

Do you remember your  first bicycle or your first bicycle ride? On Saturday December 12th, the Bike Coalition held a special Bike Rodeo and helped lots of volunteers give away bicycles to third graders in the Chula Vista Elementary School District. For many of these children, it was their first bike and their first time riding a bicycle. For some children, the bicycle may be the only gift they receive, according to Nancy Kerwin, the District’s Executive Director for Student, Family and Community Services, who coordinates the event. 

Employees and volunteers distributed more than 250 bicycles on Saturday. District employees and other volunteers assembled the bicycles prior to the Giveaway.  Many also returned on Saturday to help adjust seats and fit the bikes to the third-grade students who received them.  It was all part of CVESD's partnership with the “Bikes for Kids Foundation,” an annual bike giveaway now in its eighth  year in Chula Vista. 

For the last five years, the students who received the bikes participated in a “Bike Rodeo” by the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition. This year over one hundred students learned proper riding techniques and safety tips. More than twenty students learned to ride at the Bike Rodeo even though it was their first time to actually ride a bicycle!  There were no training wheels and some kids were wobbly but excited. Coalition board member Randy Van Vleck offered praise and encouragement along with a helping hand to teach balance and riding skills. Joy spread across the faces of parents and children after gaining an ability to balance on a two-wheeled bike!  Some kids already knew how to ride so they maneuvered through an obstacle course set up in the parking lot of the ESSC. Michelle Luellen of the Bike Coalition coordinated the Rodeo.  Juan Antonio Ramirez provided instruction to many children.

After receiving a bicycle, helmet, and instruction, the children proceeded to a "Thank You" station where they wrote thank you cards to the “Bikes for Kids Foundation,” a San Diego non-profit, CVESD, and all the volunteers that help put smiles on two wheels.

Are you or someone you know teaching a child to ride a bicycle? Here is link to an REI article filled with expert advice:

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/teach-child-to-ride-a-bike.html

It's fun to talk to about bike memories. What is your first bike memory? Your first bike ride memory? Tell us on social media by using the hashtag #FirstBikeMemory and tagging @sdbikecoalition or email your memories to judi@sdbikecoaltion.org and we will put together a compilation of first bike memories.

2015 Joyride

We had a wonderful evening at our 5th Annual Joyride, held last Thursday on December 10th. Approximately 70 joined us for our lighted bike ride, starting and ending at Panama 66 in Balboa Park. 

We were quite a sight to see, as we casually rode up 6th avenue, through Hillcrest via University, and back down on Park Blvd.

We spent the rest of the evening treated to music and food as we listened to a great presentation by Andy. He reviewed the highlights and milestones from 2015, and handed out the 2015 Golden Gear Awards - those who have gone above and beyond in the name of bicycling.

Thank you so much for everyone who was able to attend and ride with us! We appreciate your support! 

Meet FloraVelo!

Hi!

We’re FloraVelo, a growing family business in San Diego designing great new cyclewear for women.  

Trish and Pam of FloraVelo at a triathlon expo
in Palm Springs

We started our company a few years ago after taking up cycling and being totally frustrated by the lack of cute, comfortable cycle clothing options in the market.  It seemed like most women’s jerseys fit like poorly re-sized men’s jerseys; uncomfortable and unflattering.  We thought it was time for a change; time to make room for a new type of cyclewear - designed by women, for women.  We wanted to create fun, comfortable, functional cyclewear for everyone – from cycling beginners to casual riders to advanced, seasoned veterans.

Once we got started, we spent almost a year creating our jersey design.  

"We spent time finding just the right performance fabrics, working with graphic artists to develop the fun, unique prints, and designing the pattern to achieve a great fit for almost any figure."  

Finally we road tested, made some adjustments, and began production – all here in the US.  We’ve been selling our jerseys online (www.floravelo.com) and at cycling events for about 2 years now, and we’ve been amazed at the wonderful response we’ve received.  Our jerseys are also available in a few retail locations, including CycleQuest here in San Diego.  In addition, we recently began offering custom jerseys for cycling tours and riding groups.

        FloraVelo jerseys have several unique features, but the most popular is our combination cell phone pocket and  “hidden” key/ID pocket.  Those two pockets, along with our two large back pockets, allow you to take just about everything with you when you ride.  And our jerseys are not just for riding…  you’ll also see them out running, hiking, kayaking, playing tennis, traveling – this is not your typical cycling jersey!

We got involved with the Bicycle Coalition in our first year in business – and we love working with them.  We’re so proud to help sponsor such a great group of committed cyclists working for such important changes! 

Head over to FloraVelo's website to see the latest and greatest from this awesome, local company!