Ride For Hope (RFH) is gearing up for this year's bike-a-thon with a free bike skills handling course for the general public this Saturday, January 28, at 4:00 p.m. at St. Paul's field, West Bay Street.
The class will be conducted by Hot Tubes Cycling, the most successful junior specific road racing team in American history and one of the top cycling teams in the world. Instructions will include equipment checks, positioning on the bike, safe shifting, riding in groups, riding single file, cornering, and down hilling.
"Thanks to the generosity of Hot Tubes," said Susan Larson, RFH co-chair, "we're able to offer to the general public the same bike skills taught at a professional level to international competitors. It's a wonderful opportunity for us all, even for the young or casual rider," added Larson.
"The safety of our riders is of paramount importance to Ride For Hope, and the painstaking detail that goes into planning the event is to ensure their safety as much as possible," said Diane Holowesko Dunkley from RFH. "In addition to this, bike handling skills are vital for everyone, as we'll all be safer riders if we know the proper techniques involved in everything from gear shifting, going downhill, rounding corners, and passing other riders," said Dunkley, "but safety starts first with having the correct gear and being properly fitted on your bike. That is why it's important for people who wish to attend this course to bring their bikes with them."
One 'Ride For Hope' participant who rode 100 miles in last year's event was quite excited - and relieved - to hear about the course.
"I don't even know how to change a bike tire," he said, "so I'll definitely be there, and I need all the advice I can get for those hills."
According to Stephen Holowesko, RFH co-chair, Hot Tubes Team Director Toby Stanton will conduct the course along with five of his riders.
"Not only is Hot Tubes one of the top cycling teams in the world," said Holowesko, "but they have a wonderful philosophy in developing all aspects of the cyclist."
Toby Stanton said: "Being a great teammate, being a great leader in the world on and off the bike, these are the hallmarks of Hot Tubes riders."
Although no registration is needed for the bike skills course this Saturday, RFH Administrator Alicia Wallace explained that registration is already open for Ride For Hope's annual bike-a-thon. Upcoming walk-up registration is at Royal Bank of Canada on Carmichael Road on January 27, from 11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; at Lowe's Pharmacy, Soldier Road, on January 3, from 12 noon - 4:00 p.m.; and at Logos Bookstore, in Harbour Bay, on February 8, from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Registration is also available online at: http://www.rideforhopebahamas.com/ride_register.php
Wallace said that she has encouraged participants to sign up early as the registration structure has changed.
"The early registration fee of $50 is valid until February 14, regular registration fee of $75 is from February 15 to March 14, and a late registration fee of $100 begins March 15 to close," she said.
Ride For Hope's annual bike-a-thon, which raises money for cancer care, research and education in The Bahamas, will be held on Saturday, April 14 this year in Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera.
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