麻豆社区

Whitehorse has a new organization to add to the vibrant cycling community: U Kon Echelon Bike Club.

The club, started by local cyclist and coach, Trena Irving, is all about getting local athletes onto bikes.

"We are just trying to promote a love of wheels, any kind of wheels,鈥� she said.

"We just want people to come out and bike.鈥�

Irving will be heading to the Tour de Juneau cycling event this weekend alongside 13 junior and senior cyclists.

One of the senior athletes, Darryl Tait, will be competing with a hand-cycle.

In October of 2009, Tait lost the use of his legs after his snowmobile landed on him and severed his spine while competing at a freestyle demonstration sporting event in Fremont, New Hampshire.

Tait is one of three members of the club that competes with a hand-cycle, the others being Aidan Love and Glacier Bears swim coach Para-Olympic record holder, Stephanie Dixon.

"We haven't really had hand-cycling promoted in the Yukon since Ramesh Ferris went across Canada,鈥� said Irving.

"We want to get more races organized in the near future and get people out to cheer.鈥�

Irving said the cyclists have been utilizing the loop in Shipyards park for informal time trails, with Tait usually leading the way.

"Darryl just cleans up on that course,鈥� said Irving.

"He corners so well and he just goes out gives 鈥榚r.鈥�

Some members of the club traveling to Juneau this weekend will also be competing in Edmonton the following week for the Alberta Junior Provincial Championship and the Alberta Provincial Para-Athlete Championships.

Irving said the Tour de Juneau will serve as a good warm-up for the club's cyclists.

"I'm hoping a couple people are going to place first or second this weekend,鈥� she said, while highlighting the abilities of Shea Hoffman and Melanie Tait.

"We've got some strong riders and I'm hoping there will be a youth division for our younger cyclists.鈥�

Irving was at the event two years ago, when over 50 cyclists took part.

With several members of the club preparing to compete in the Canada Summer Games next year, Irving said they will benefit greatly from gaining race experience.

"Whether the competition is going to be steep or not (in Juneau) I don't know, but what I do know is the kids are going to get to ride with other people and probably lots of of people which is great.

"That's what the ones who are going to the Canada Games are going to see next summer, they're going to be riding with people, drafting and learning how to recover if you make contact in a tight pack. The only way to learn that is getting in a race with other people.鈥�

As for the U Kon Echelon Bike Club, Irving said she could see it growing by leaps and bounds, largely due to the outpouring of community support.

Her goal is for the club to be open for everyone, especially those who don't already own a bike.

She's received numerous local donations, while spending upwards of $2,000 herself on used bikes.

One of the biggest contributors to the club has been Watson Lake native and Canadian Olympian, Zach Bell.

"He's probably donated about five to ten thousand dollars worth of stuff,鈥� said Irving of a collection that includes skin suits, shorts, jerseys, hats, helmets and shoes.

In the future, Irving is hoping to host a race with the club in Bell's honour.

"He's been so generous and so supportive and such a great person,鈥� she said.

"It really inspires the kids back in the Yukon. All of my kids totally follow him, he's our hero.

"He's the Lance Armstrong of the Yukon.鈥�

The club also received a carbon fiber bike from Bell's father, Greg, which Hoffman is currently competing with.

Jack Hulland Grade two teacher, Sean McAskie, also donated a bike, while local competitive cyclist Steve Ball has donated equipment.

While Irving will be driving to Alberta for the upcoming events, she's hopeful that a sponsor will step-up to help fund an airplane ticket for Tait.

"The outpouring of support from the community has been fabulous,鈥� said Irving.

"It's just been incredible to see.鈥�

The local Community Living Association has also been able to outfit the club with their hand-cycles, something that has allowed the organization to grow inclusively.

"It's not just road biking, we're going to do lots of mountain biking in September and lots of cycling,鈥� said Irving.

"We want the youth to be well-rounded in cycling.

"I told Darryl 鈥榶ou are showing everybody who hand cycles that this world is open to them' and that's what I want.

"I want everybody young and old to know that if they want to come out and wheel with us鈥攖hey can. We're an open club.鈥�