iRide enjoyed great weather last week and provided 1131 students, at 8 schools across the province, with a safe and fun cycling experience. Our staff visited new schools such as Sun Peaks Elementary, Highland Park in Armstrong, Parkside Centennial in White Rock, George Greenaway in Central Surrey, Sherwood Park in North Vancouver, Valley Cliffe in Squamish, and a crop of schools in the Comox Valley. Highlights of the week included a special session for coach Daniel McCunn in his home town of Sun Peaks, a special trip to Armstrong, BC, for iRide coordinator Ben Chaddock, and a new ride from the Whistler Cycling Club in support of iRide hits the road on June 20.
iRide Head Coach Daniel McCunn enjoyed visiting his home town school at the base of the Sun Peaks ski resort, north of Kamloops last week.
Wow, what a week at Sun Peaks Elementary! We saw it all: mosquitoes, rain, mud, sunshine and of course lots of smiles and good times riding bikes. The kids were awesome; happy, respectful, positive and skillful. We progressed from fundamentals skills such as braking and the ready position to the local trails and pump track on the final day. A big thank you goes to Paul Berry and the whole crew down at the Spoke ’N’ Motion Bike Shop in Kamloops for loaning your skill stunts to iRide. Read more.
Sun Peaks Elementary’s iRide teacher champion, Cindi Hryhirchuk sent Cycling BC a letter following the participation of her Grade 4/5/6 class:
I feel very lucky to have had our little mountain school participate in the iRide program. It was great to see the children’s confidence levels increase each day they rode. The students were keen to participate and loved the jumps, ramps, and stations. Their skills improved a lot. I was impressed with the way you talked to the children, encouraged them, and made them feel good about their progress. I would without a doubt like to participate in this program next year. Thank you so much for a wonderful 4 days of riding!
iRide Coordinator Ben Chaddock traveled to Armstrong, BC last week to work with new iRide coach Shayne Wright and provide a 4 day program for the students of Highland Park Elementary.
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!
iRide coach Lauren Lan and Lynda Magor also continued growing iRide’s presence in the Comox Valley. To view the detailed thank you cards created by their students please check out their full report. Read more.
The Whistler Cycling Club is also hosting a fundingraising 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.
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.
