On Saturday, February 10, I participated in the 2018 Tour de Palm Springs. The charity event hosted 10,000 cyclists including IRC Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) members, family, and friends!

The Tour de Palm Springs is and event sponsored by Coachella Valley Serving People In Need (CVSPIN) and is designed to raise money for non-profit organizations in the Coachella Valley. Each year the organizers support more than 100 local charities. Palm Springs, with its great weather, gorgeous mountain scenery and thousands of cyclists, make the Tour de Palm Springs a fundraising event like no other.

IRC Community Partners Benefit from Ride

United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire (UCPIE) is one of the non-profits that benefited from the Tour de Palm Springs. UCPIE is a strong family support and advocacy organization. Their mission is to advance the independence, productivity, and full citizenship of people with disabilities. They are active in the development of programs for children and young adults with special needs in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.  Learn more about UCPIE and their programs at ucpie.org.

Another wonderful organization who benefited from the 2018 Tour de Palm Springs is the Coachella Valley Autism Society of America (CVASA). The mission of CVASA is to promote lifelong access and opportunities for individuals within the autism spectrum and their families. They work toward this mission through advocacy, public awareness, education, and research related to autism. You can learn more about CVASA and their work at cvasa.org.

My Own Cycling Journey

I began to love cycling from a very early age. I remember my first bike – I remember the joyful rush when my dad gave it to me. I vividly recall my Dad running behind and not telling me he’d let go as I carried on without falling. As I grew up and moved away I got couldn’t ride much until three years ago when I realized I needed to become healthier, and the love was rekindled.

The CAC Cycle Club

About a year ago, the IRC CAC created a Cycle Club— getting together every few months, riding different trails in the local area. I wanted to share that joyful rush, teach an alternate form of transportation and mentor our community on road safety and respect. Most of all, I wanted to be a healthy role model.  We have ridden the Rio Hondo Trail, Pacific Electric Trail, Santa Anna River Trail, and the Victoria Avenue Bike Path, creating some fantastic memories along the way.

Ryan Nelson, the IRC CAC President, said “I enjoy riding my bike with the CAC. It makes me feel like I can ride farther each time I get on the bike and help other Consumers ride better each time they get on their bike. I feel myself getting healthy. This is important because eating better and exercising every day will help me live healthier and longer.”

Join the Next CAC Cycle Ride

If you would like to get involved and cycle with the CAC, please join us on our next ride. We will be meeting at 1800 South Waterman Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92408 at 9:00 am. We will ride 12 miles along the Santa Anna River Trail. The Club is open to all members of the IRC Community ages 16 and older. You must have a bike, helmet, and lights. If you have questions or would like to learn more about the CAC or CAC Cycle Club, please email [email protected].

Posted by:

Dr. CJ Cook, DBA

As Program Administrator, CJ is responsible for the proactive oversight of various units within IRC, including Community Management, Service Access and Equity, and Training and Development. CJ's oversight extends to Language Access and Cultural Competency (LACC), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), equity in the Purchase of Service (POS), and the National Core Indicator (NCI) project. Furthermore, CJ is tasked with managing the IRC's Performance Contract with DDS and overseeing Emergency Services.