WINNER ANNOUNCED!
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”KAZ IMAGE” src=”https://bcbikerace.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/facebook-top-cover-Jessie.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”off” sticky=”off” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”14″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]We’re excited to announce the 8 finalists in the Kazlaw Community Mountain Biking Award! We had an overwhelming response to the request for submissions making it a tough decision as all of the nominations were phenomenal members of different communities around BC. This year, for the first time we have included 8 nominees to move on to the final voting stage.
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Scott Baker has been “making mountain biking” happen for over a decade in Kamloops. Scott is an unassuming guy – funny, smart, a “regular” rider. But if you look a little deeper, you see someone who has been involved with the Kamloops Bike Riders Association from its beginning; he’s been on the board; including holding the position of president for several years, he’s chaired committees, flipped burgers for fundraisers and community events and attended meetings to advocate for bike trail funding.
Throughout these activities his primary passion has been championing the stewardship of the Lac du Bois grasslands riding area. He spearheaded our partnership with B.C. Parks and initiated many of the projects that have strengthened Lac du Bois as a riding area. From bigger projects like an outhouse and information kiosk at the trailhead to organizing trail days to digging holes for sign posts to mapping to being involved with the community and funders, Scott has had his finger on the pulse of enhancing this sweet set of singletrack trails. He’s willing to go to a meeting, show a visitor the trials, or put in the labour of trail maintenance. A great example of Scott’s spirit is his acquiring of a club bike trailer to use to personally haul tools in to trail days.
Scott Baker has always been there for this community and riding gem of an area and if you’re looking to say hi and maybe thanks (although he doesn’t expect it), you should look for him and his bike out on the trails in the grasslands that he is so passionate about.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider admin_label=”Divider” color=”#ff0000″ show_divider=”on” divider_style=”solid” divider_position=”top” divider_weight=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”on”] [/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Steve Sheldon” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”14″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
Steve Sheldon is an avid rider and well known in the local riding and trail building scene. He is a trail director of Tri Cities Offroad Cycling Association (TORCA) and been involved in lots of the trail development in the Tri Cities. His work is notable including the climbing trail IMBY and recent rework of the Blueline trail. He has been a leader in teaching community members how to build trails properly and is also a great chef, preparing meals to support volunteers on the TORCA trail days.
He is an amazing rider who I think would really enjoy the challenge of the BC Bike Race. I am sure that he would be a great competitor on the race. His easy going nature makes him fun to be around which I am sure would be appreciated at the camps!
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider admin_label=”Divider” color=”#ff0000″ show_divider=”on” divider_style=”solid” divider_position=”top” divider_weight=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”on”] [/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Mike Manara” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”14″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
Mike Manara, President of the United Riders of Cumberland, from Cumberland BC.
In late 2015, the United Riders of Cumberland signed a major land access agreement with two timber companies in the Cumberland area – TimberWest and Hancock, ensuring future public access to Cumberland amazing trail network. This precedent setting achievement was made possible by the years of dedication, hard work and community leadership that Mike has provided in his volunteer role of President of the United Riders of Cumberland local mountain bike club. In the words of Mike, he is “stoked to put Cumberland and our amazing trails officially on the map, and to making mountain biking a legitimate industry in our community.” Actions speak louder than words, and Mike’s attendance in multiple meetings (even taking vacation time from work to attend!), drafting of documents, procuring insurance, sending emails and leading community meetings are clear signs of Mike’s dedication to the sport and to the Village of Cumberland.
Let’s recognize Mike and give him a mountain bike holiday.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider admin_label=”Divider” color=”#ff0000″ show_divider=”on” divider_style=”solid” divider_position=”top” divider_weight=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”on”] [/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”martin newman” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”14″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]Martin Newman contributes towards trail maintenance and trail advocacy on the North Shore.
Martin spends countless hours in the forest making improvements to existing trails as well as creating new lines which enhance riding enjoyment on the shore. He was a pivotal figure in the creation of the Good Sir Martin trail on Seymour which is now the main climbing trail for the mountain and has earned much praise among the biking community.
When not building, Martin is a formidable mountain biker who won the 2015 Crankworx Garbo DH race in his category and has provided training for the Trek Dirt Series.
Every Summer Martin volunteers to lead riders as part of the NSRide mountain bike club giving up evenings and weekends to share the fun and exhilaration of our sport.
All in all, top bloke who lives and breaths mountain biking.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider admin_label=”Divider” color=”#ff0000″ show_divider=”on” divider_style=”solid” divider_position=”top” divider_weight=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”on”] [/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Daryl ketter” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”14″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
Darryl Ketter has been an avid cyclist for most of his life but in the past few seasons has really starting making an impression on the community in terms of his work on local trails. I own a local bike shop and are on the committee for the local riding club (the KPCC) and have definitely enjoyed his passion and dedication to building high quality trails with little resources provided to him as a volunteer. He has taken upon himself to undertake massive trail building projects and complete a quality product at lightening speed.
He has given us several new and lengthy trails in our main riding areas of Pineview (Spin Cycle, Crank N Kujo, Whiskey….) and had organized and built one of the largest and most enjoyed climbs at Harper Mountain (Kett’r Done) in just a few short weeks of building there this past fall.
He has committed to several trails and feature upgrades this coming season and I suspect we won’t be disappointed in 2016 by his abilities and dedication.
He has also spent the whole winter on his fatbike as an active member of the local fatbike organization riding and packing the trails. He is also a super fit and capable rider so he’d be a great participant in the Bc Bike Race and likely do quite well. He is nearly 60 years old and doesn’t look a day over 40! He continues to ride and train at an incredibly impressive high level and is a joy to have as a local Kamloops rider!
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider admin_label=”Divider” color=”#ff0000″ show_divider=”on” divider_style=”solid” divider_position=”top” divider_weight=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”on”] [/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Bart Jarmula” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”14″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
Bart Jarmula makes mountain biking happen in Revelstoke and is a pivotal member of our Board. We feel lucky to have Bart on our team and the cycling community in Revelstoke benefits from the leadership role he has taken in putting on events. Bart moved to Revelstoke 11 years ago. He saw the potential in Revelstoke for its amazing outdoor activities and to be able to live an active lifestyle with a work life balance. A few years after settling in he decided he wanted to give back to the community. He first joined the RCA and then volunteered to help create the Toonie Race series. He knew that these were happening in other communities so with the help of other amazing volunteers, he launched a Wednesday night race series. Every year new people of all different abilities come out to try the races. It’s a great place to test your race legs or go head to head with old rivals. The race series began with 6 cross country (xc) races but the success of those events under his leadership has seen our program expand to 7 xc races, 4 downhill, 2 road and our signature Hill Climb event, the Steamer. Over the last few years we have started seeing drive 1-2 hours from out of town to take part in the race series.
At 38 years old Bart has figured out how to turn his passion for road and mountain bike into great Community Spirit. Getting his start as an avid expedition adventure racer and he has always enjoyed the challenges (good and bad) of adventure racing and the satisfaction of having endured long days and nights racing. Recently, he has turned his focus more towards mountain bike adventures in the summer. His favourite thing to do is check out a new trail. But, Bart has always loved to race. For him it’s a chance to push himself hard and test his limits while still getting to explore new terrain. What makes him deserving of this opportunity is that passion. Bart wanted to see a race series in Revelstoke that brings the cycling community together and so, instead of just talking about it, he created it. It’s not uncommon to see him organizing and racing and it’s quite inspiring to see how well he performs in both roles.
The mission of the RCA is to promote cycling in Revelstoke and we are proud to nominate our Events Coordinator for this award. He manages to balance the demands of a career, training and volunteering and helps us achieve our mission. In addition, when he is not creating amazing things in Revelstoke, he is out in the greater cycling community as an ambassador for Revelstoke cycling. We know he will love a chance to participate in the BC Bike Race and we are excited to see what great new ideas he will bring home from the experience.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider admin_label=”Divider” color=”#ff0000″ show_divider=”on” divider_style=”solid” divider_position=”top” divider_weight=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”on”] [/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Bob stanhope” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”14″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
Bob Stanhope has been a huge part of the cycling community on the sunshine coast. It began around twenty five years ago when he and his friend started up what is now Off The Edge Adventure Sports, Sechelt’s only bike shop. He was also very involved in bringing the sprockids programme to the coast. He was very involved in the building of sprockids bike park in Gibson’s, and lead many rides for the kids of the halfmoon bay elementary school sprockids programme. As mountain biking became more and more popular on the coast Off The Edge race team was created and bob was the head coach and head mechanic. Over the years Off The Edge has transformed into Sunshine Coast Cycling and Bob continues to stay involved. He has coached the Chatelech secondary mountain bike team for many years as well. Bob MC’s almost every year at the Sunshine Coaster race, even back when it was the Rat Race. Bob has been a huge part of the the cycling community for many years, from the original sprockids skills park, to the new Coast Gravity Park, he is always eager to help out and never expects anything in return.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider admin_label=”Divider” color=”#ff0000″ show_divider=”on” divider_style=”solid” divider_position=”top” divider_weight=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”on”] [/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Jessie McGarrigle” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”14″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
Jessie McGarrigle is a strong advocate in the Nanaimo mountain biking community. She has been riding nearly twenty years, and in that time, she has gone from just a rider to a key community member in Nanaimo.
She has been integral in creating a community that supports new riders. She promoted starting up weekly beginner rides, and the majority of the time, you will find her out leading the rides or hanging back at the end of a group, cheering on new people. Thanks to her patience and encouragement, the Club has many new and active members who would not have given mountain biking a second chance if Jessie wasn’t there to guide them through those first rides.
For the last two years, she has been a member of the Nanaimo Mountain Bike Club’s board of directors and been a driving force in making biking stronger in Nanaimo. She has never shied away from taking on new tasks (including getting the Club’s website going, creating club shirts, business cards, stickers, membership drives, etc.) and picking up the slack. At one point, after some unexpected attrition, she had the jobs of four separate directors! She did this so the Club’s work in advocating for access to legal trails could continue seamlessly.
The club holds trail building days once a month, and Jessie is a consistent participant in creating legal and sustainable trails and maintaining the trails that already exist. She’s a key organizer at every event, and she also designed a safety plan to help ensure everyone’s safety (safety talk at beginning, establishing those with first aid training to go to in emergencies, etc.).
Two years ago, she started her company Beyond Biking and provides mountain bike instruction (qualified under the Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association) to those that have never been on a bike all the way up to expert riders. She has a passion for helping people acquire the skills to become confident riders, and she provides a supportive and fun learning environment. Jessie is a very patient instructor who excels at breaking skills down into steps that are easier to learn in a safe and comfortable environment. She’s guaranteed to strengthen your riding. Those that have taken her courses call her a natural and gifted teacher who’s fun, positive, and caring. Although she is a trained instructor and owns her own company, she is always willing to help with skill development on any ride.
She also continues to increase the number of female riders out by supporting them no matter what their skill is and providing a safe learning environment. She is a certified instructor for Sprockids and runs a number of children/youth programs to increase the number of active kids in our community and spread her joy of mountain biking.
Jessie has been a huge part of mountain biking in Nanaimo and is one of the most supportive people you will ever meet. Nanaimo is incredibly fortunate to have her leadership and support in the biking community.
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