EUGENE, Ore. — What started as a fundraiser has now become an annual event at Co-Op Family Center , an early education center in Eugene.
“It’s probably the sweetest looking critical mass bike ride that you can imagine,” said Rachel Jefferson, executive director at the Co-Op.
Sparked by the cycling passion of a few teachers, the "Tour de Co-Op" event was first held in 2010.
“It organically grew out of our bike days at the co-op," said Kim Frank, a Pre-K/Kindergarten teacher. "We would do weekly bike days, bike rides and decided to just get together with the community. So, it started real low key and then it kind of got more official.”
The ride of course comes with some challenges as the group mixes in children as young as infants all the way up to school aid children. And while the event is referred to as a ride and not a race, speed is one of the things mostly associated with bikes.
Frank said, “Competition definitely enters cycling cause everyone loves that feeling of going fast.”
“I can go really fast, and like, it’s different from, like, roller skates and roller blades ‘cause you have, like, pedals and it’s easier to control,” said Skyla Chavez, a student at the Co-op Family center.When asking a younger student why they liked bikes, speed was also the main reason.Jovie Samora-Walker replied, "Because I go fast."But the event has never been about how fast any of the participants could go. They welcome all comers no matter their age, […]
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