Team World Bicycle Relief: Indiana
Team WBR Indiana is our first ever regional member of Team World Bicycle Relief. Five men, all hailing from Indiana and competing together in a ton of races this year, have joined together to multiply their impact as they raise awareness and funds for the Power of Bicycles. Their team fundraising goal is $7,500. Here's a bit about each member!
Josh Kline is a cyclocross racer and the team captain of Team WBR Indiana. He explains how he grew interested in WBR:
Walking to and from school in equatorial Africa is a timely and exhausting venture. For 9 months I hoofed to class in Dakar, Senegal on a daily basis as a student at Université Cheikh Anta Diop. It was a slow, arduous trek under a hot sun. While good-natured Senegalese "teranga" hospitality along the route offered shelter from the heat and provided engaging conversation, it had the potential of delaying my arrival and distracting me from my classroom and host-family duties. Public transportation was an unreliable non-option. All I wanted that year was a bicycle. To my surprise, a bicycle was harder to come by in Senegal than a motorcycle. I never found a bike.
A bicycle delivered to my back patio by a good friend changed my life in 2009. It gave me fitness, work- life-balance, and introduced me to hundreds of new people. My bike has served as a bridge to new communities and helped me find home in a new place when I made the move to Indiana in 2011. If a bike can empower a middle-aged guy from the suburbs, imagine what it can do for those truly in need! I believe in the power of bicycles and want to use racing my bike as a method for outreach to create awareness for WBR.
This year Josh has ten main events lined up including the Indiana Cyclocross Cup and the Wrigley Field Road Tour. He also plans to race the DINO mountain bike series, as well as several other overland cross and mountain bike challenges.
Joseph (Seph) Hatley believes in the power of riding bicycles. He uses cycling for entertainment, health, transportation, occupation, and even therapy. He believes everyone should have the chance to pursue their dreams through two wheels. Seph notes, "You can go through your day to day without truly getting involved with others in need, or you can look around and see what you can do to help. What better thing to do than give someone the ability to access education, health care, or a job."
Seph intends to race the DINO, ICX & OVCX racing series this year, among others.
Brian Falloon tries to focus on two words in life: humble and perspective. He believes that whenever stress comes around, the best way to handle it is to remain humble and maintain a true perspective on what's important in life. He says, "I've chosen to join Team WBR because I am very grateful and feel incredibly priviliged to enjoy such a fantastic hobby and sport. A lot of people do not have the physical abilities to even get around on their own, and certainly not to race a bicycle. I try to never take my abilities for granted."
This year Brian will race the Sub9 Death March, the DINO Indiana Mountain Bike Series, and Indiana Cyclocross Cup and more.
Mike Minichiello is an off-road cyclist who believes the ability to race a bicycle is a privilege. He notes that cyclists spend a lot of money on entry fees, bicycle upgrades and equipment, so to support a cause that provides bicycles to people that need them is a humbling experience. He explains, "I wonder what WE racers would do if we didn't have our bicycles? I support WBR because it offers me the ability to give back to deserving people."
Mike intends to ride in the Indiana Cyclocross Cup, the Ohio Valley Cyclocross Cup, and Wrigley Field Road Tour and more.
Russell Nichols believes that cycling leads to quality of life. For him, Team WBR will offer camaraderie, friendship, and fun while helping those in need. He believes that bikes can change lives, and explains, "I have enjoyed riding a bike since I was a child. In the past few years, I have had the privilege of racing along with my son who is now 12 years old. At the finish of a race he once told me, 'When I finish, I feel so accomplished'. Time on our bicycles is more than racing, it's having fun and enjoying life." And now, Russell can share that with others.
This year Russell will compete in the DINO Series, the Indiana Cyclocross, and more--all for the Power of Bicycles!
You can join Team WBR as a group, too! Recruit your teammates and Join the Team>
