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For the second year in a row, the Verde Valley Bikes-For-Kids Program has provided a grant to the Sedona High School Mountain Bike Club National Interscholastic Cycling Mountain Bike Racing Team to defray coaches and team out-of-pocket expenses.

According to Head Coach Eric Mace, "there are 10 kids signed up already and a few more asking questions about the team.  There are even two girls this year. The team started practice at the beginning of July and ramps up to three times a week when school starts and there's an additional core training day too."

According to VVCC President Marty Glinsky, "the VVCC Board approved the Verde Valley Bikes-for-Kids Program as part of a comprehensive response to a grant received by the Singletrack Futures Foundation that challenged the VVCC to create actionable programs or plans focused on getting kids on bikes. We're thrilled to be supporting Coach Mace and the team."   

"As you can imagine there a lot of associated costs with keeping the kids bikes working and safe, keeping them hydrated and getting to the 5 races throughout Arizona. Last year's funds were so helpful" added Coach Mace. "Right now there are four kids on bikes I have purchased or built up from donated parts.  Getting more kids on bike is so great!  Helping them gain Strong Bodies, Strong Minds, and Strong Character is our mission.  We are first a youth development group and we use bikes to get there" " stated Coach Mace.

If you would like to support the Verde Valley Bikes-For-Kids, please click here. All donations to the Verde Valley Bikes-For-Kids qualify for the AZ State Charitable Tax Credit reducing your AZ State income tax liability dollar-for-dollar up to established maximums depending on filing status.

Normally 5 Minutes With asks one VVCC member several questions. With the VVCC Board taking a hiatus this summer, we decided to ask each board member the same question, why do you serve on the VVCC Board? Here’s what they had to say…

Marty Glinsky  -  To support the work of the VVCC, both on the road and on the trails.

Dan Blaettler  -   To help support cycling activities of all kinds as a healthy lifestyle option for people of all ages and abilities.

Mike Harris  -   To ensure the community is aware of and supports local programs and laws pertaining to cyclists and cycling issues and concerns.

Kevin Adams  -  To give back.

Lars Romig  -  To see the Verde Valley full of fit happy people living in robust cycling communities with world-class cycling opportunities.

Paul Hallinan  -  To volunteer and advocate for cycling in Sedona and contribute through fundraising and sponsoring volunteer trail work, fostering positive relationships across all user groups and by working collaboratively with the land managers. 

Doug Copp  -  I love bikes, trails and Sedona.

Pam Milavec  -  To “give back” to an amazing area and community.  I enjoy building and maintaining trails, and coordinating with the USFS so that our incredible trail system becomes even better, while also protecting our fragile environment.  I get to work with ADOT and local officials to help make our roads safer for cyclists.  

Rich Leever  -  I am crazy!  I don't have enough to do.  To improve the road riding experience for me, friends, and future road riders in the Verde Valley.  A big part of that was to use my board membership to develop relationships with local, county, and state leaders in order to get their support and/or understanding on issues that affect safety and make riding more fun.  I was also hoping to increase the number of riders in the area.  In addition I have met some other great people on the board that have provided the encouragement and support that resulted in a Bikes for Kids program that is putting more kids on bikes in the Verde Valley and creating a new generation of mountain bike riders.

Don Mathieu  -  To support the mission any way that I can.

Bill Jackson  -  The VVCC board opportunity allows me to make an impact on a place I love and gives me an outlet to share my passion for the sport of cycling. 

July 1st begins the VVCC's 16th year as a bicycle advocacy organization. In recognition of 15 years of improving the bicycling environment and quality of life in the region, we have been scouring the archives - thank you Daniel Paduchowski - to bring our past to the present. The below article appeared in an October 2003 edition of the Red Rock News and is reprinted below...

From  left to right Lisa Hanard, Mike Harris, Kevin Adams, John and Rebecca Ellis just before the start of the Taylor House Ride

The new VVCC kits were on display at the 18th Annual Taylor House ride in Flagstaff on July 21st. The ride offers 30, 45, 65, and 95 mile courses looping through Sunset Crater and Wutpatki National Monuments and starts/finishes at Flagstaff Medical Center. Proceeds from the event support The Taylor House at Flagstaff Medical Center which provides lodging and services for families of patients receiving care away from home.

For VVCC Secretary Mike Harris, the ride provides an opportunity to spend time with his daughter Lisa Hanard. "Lisa trains for this ride by running and I don't train at all" says Harris. They both rode the 65 mile ride. 

John and Rebecca Ellis did the 45 mile ride together and were last seen leaving the lunch tent with big smiles on their faces.

VVCC Treasurer, Kevin Adams, did the 65 mile ride on a whim. "I'm a mountain biker who sometimes gets out on a road bike" said Adams. "The last time I rode my road bike prior to this ride was across Iowa in 2016. It was the most fun I never wanted to have again and today's ride reminded me of that" Adams added. 

Mike likes to point out that his Strava time beat Kevin's, and Kevin points out that he finished before Mike. VVCC President Marty Glinsky reached by internet while vacationing in Montana said "doesn't surprise me one bit" when he heard about their rides. 

VVCC would like to welcome ABC Body Shop as a Gold Level Sponsor.  ABC Body Shop owner Robbie Allen has over 35 years of customer satisfaction in the Verde Valley. VVCC Board Member Rich Leever has used ABC Body Shop on numerous occasions and has always been completely satisfied with their work. ABC Body Shop takes pride in its highly trained technicians who use the latest tools and equipment to deliver a top quality repair. 

ABC Body Shop hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

1269 E. Cherry Street, Cottonwood, AZ 86326

PHONE: (928) 634-6442

FAX: (928) 634-8447

AFTER HOURS TOWING: (928) 634-9746

Thank you Robbie for your support!!!!

On July 5, 2018, VVCC President Marty Glinsky met with Sedona Mayor Sandy Moriarity and City Manager Justin Clifton to brief them on the VVCC's activities. Both Mayor Moriarity and Justin are huge cyclist and trail advocates. Items discussed included the August Home Rule ballot initiative, upcoming candidate forums, and letters of support for grant purposes.

Hollywood Racks started in 1973 making trunk-mounted racks in the back of a bike shop in Hollywood, California. Today, Hollywood Racks' products are available in all 50 states and in over 25 countries worldwide.

In additional to the sponsorship, VVCC members receive 20% off all items at www.hollywoodracks.com. A coupon code is required and members just need to send an email to moretrailboss@gmail.com to receive it.

Thank you Hollywood Racks for the support!

Yavapai County District 3 Supervisor Randy Garrison and VVCC President Marty Glinsky

Long time cyclist and early bike advocacy pioneer, County District 3 Supervisor Randy Garrison met with the VVCC today to discuss the VVCC's advocacy work. Supervisor Garrison has been instrumental in securing the 3' striped shoulders on the upcoming Dry Creek Rd repaving and working with the Forest Service to remove the cattle guard in the Dry Creek area which should happen in the next few weeks.

July 1st begins the VVCC's 16th year as a bicycle advocacy organization. In recognition of 15 years of improving the bicycling environment and quality of life in the region, we have been scouring the archives - thank you Daniel Paduchowski - to bring our past to the present. The below article appeared in the May 18, 2005 edition of the Red Rock News and is reprinted below...

Verde Valley Bikes for Kids™ was selected to receive a $3,000 competitively awarded grant from the Arizona Community Foundation, Sedona. 

In 2017, the VVCC Board approved the Verde Valley Bikes-for-Kids™ Program as part of a comprehensive response to a grant received by the Singletrack Futures Foundation that challenged the VVCC, among other things, to create actionable programs or plans focused on kids. Verde Valley Bikes-for-Kids™  focuses on giving kids residing in our local communities, especially those participating in the National School Lunch Program, access to bicycles, helmets, and active lifestyle encouragement. 

In the 2017-2018 school year, the Verde Valley Bikes-for-Kids™  

• helped create a mountain bike club at Cottonwood Elementary School, 

• provided funds in support of West Sedona Elementary School's existing mountain bike club, 

• distributed 12 new bikes to Cottonwood & Sedona students who exceeded standards for grades, attendance, comportment and citizenship, 

• distributed 40 kids helmets at the Sedona Celebration of Spring, and

• provided a grant to the Sedona High School Mountain Bike Club's National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) Team to defray coaches and students out-of-pocket expenditures at scheduled races. . 
  

The ACF Sedona grant will be used to support the West Sedona Elementary School Bike Club and new bike awards at the Sedona annual Spring 2019 Bike Rodeo