On May 18, 2016, the Ride of Silence traversed and united the globe as nothing before it. Cyclists took to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.

With the killed and injured cyclists in Tucson earlier this year, this was especially bittersweet for some riders.

Brendon Lyons from 'Look! Save A Life / Arizona' had a display of his accident and what distracted driving can do to a cyclist. He had information about his campaign to make texting while driving illegal in the State of Arizona which is now banned in Pima County.

GABA organized a great Ride of Silence. We had a police escort of 3 motorcycles and 1 car all the way. It was an amazing ride with all riders being silent for the 1 hour event. We rode East on Broadway to Wilmot Road, then back on 22nd Street. The turnout was great, with a bittersweet fellowship afterwards.

by Edmund Marquez

The IC3 Tucson Race Team really appreciates the support we've received from local businesses and churches in Tucson. One of our sponsors, Edmund Marquez has taken his time to write up a post for us to discuss insurance and how it applies to cyclists.

​As an avid cyclist, and a local Allstate agent, I am often asked how to better protect a cyclists bike, or their body, with their insurance.  Here are a couple tips for you to ponder, and some advice to go with it.

In regard to your bike, which you most likely have spent thousands on, it is covered by your primary property policy.  This can be a Home, Renters, Mobilehome, or Condo policy, in which you reside (not a rental property).  Allstate for example, will cover your bike, even up into the thousands of dollars, less your deductible.  So, if your bike is stolen from your home, or burns up in a fire at your home, we would pay to replace your bike, and you would just be responsible for your deductible.  Please know that most companies will not cover your bike in case you crash it while riding it.  There are smaller specialty companies that you can find on the internet, or at a local bike shop, that can provide coverage while you are riding it.  My advice in regard to having the full value of your bike covered, is to take numerous pictures of it, and keep your receipts.  Some Claim Adjusters, who aren’t cyclist, may have a hard time comprehending how much you spent on your bike, so it is better to have the backup to prove the value.

In regard to your body, and the medical bills that can incur when a crash happens, obviously it is best to have health insurance.  But what about going beyond that?  I highly advise an Accident Policy, which pays you in case you are injured, hospitalized, go to the Emergency Room, etc.  I have a Platinum policy through Allstate, and it runs about $50 a month, and it will pay money to ME, not the hospital or health insurance company, in case I am injured on my bike.  Also, I highly recommend that you increase your Medical Pay coverage on your Auto policy to at least $50,000 - $100,000.  It is inexpensive to do, and it will pay out in case you are hit by a car while riding your bike.  It will also pay if you are hit by a car while jogging and walking.  It is an inexpensive way to make sure your medical bills are covered, or can pay for a chiropractor or physical therapy if it is denied by your health insurance company. 

It is important to review your coverages with your agent on an annual basis.  If you have questions, or don’t have an agent because you are with the Gecko, please feel free to email me at edmundmarquez@allstate.com.  Thank you, and be safe out there!  Cycling is an amazing sport, which will keep up us in shape for years to come. 

Edmund Marquez
Allstate Agent
Rides with the Jim Click Racing Team

I left the house Thanksgiving morning to head over to Le Buzz to meet the other JKG riders for a climb up to Molino Basin where Jason's father, Gary, had promised to meet us with coffee. As I rode over, I remembered the previous Thanksgiving -- when instead of swinging a leg over the top tube I was being slowly and gingerly lowered into the passenger seat of my car by my loving wife. Wearing that horrible back brace and doing my best to pretend like the pain wasn't as bad as it was.

As I warmed up heading to Le Buzz, feeling absolutely no discomfort in my back, I almost burst into tears thinking about how thankful I was.

For having such an amazing wife.
For my parents who have showed me what a beautiful marriage looks like.
For being completely healed from my injuries.
For a career I love and the ability to make enough money to pay the bills.
For inconsistent income to keep me uncomfortable enough to keep praying.
For my nieces and nephews and how they jump at the chance to give me a hug.
For my friends who in so many ways bring joy to my life.
For the Jr. High kids I teach every Sunday, and their desire to emulate some of my traits.
For the Lord to have so much patience for me.
For Christ.

by Ken Huizenga

The Shootout,

The last few weeks our IC3 Ream has been doing the early version of The Shootout here in Tucson. It takes place early Saturday morning and goes on rain or shine all year round. The early version used to be called the Old Man Shootout and it was a group with an older average age and a slower pace. I believe it has more recently been infused with a large group of younger Cat 3/4 riders and has increased in speed and intensity exponentially. The group that shows for for this event is often 50 to 75 riders. It provides real race pace and tight peloton style drafting.

As a Cat 5 rider, this group is tough to hang with. The surges can be brutal and you have to be not only strong but very aerobically fit. When I would ride The Shootout solo, I would be dropped by the bridge about 12 miles into the ride and have to endure long stretches alone and struggle to even finish the 60 mile ride. It did teach me to be mentally strong and to be very humble because when you are dropped, you want to quit and never ride this event again. I learned it is best to dust yourself off and continue to press on in the hope that one day you will be in the pack and be the one leading the sprints.

When I joined IC3, my teammates asked what my goals were as a struggling Cat 5 racer. I shared with the team that I wanted more than anything to be able to stay with the main pack and finish strong. I feel like if I can do that, I will be ready to contend for some strong cat 5 finishes the upcoming 2015 race season.

I have had three opportunities with my IC3 teammates protecting me, in order to acheive this goal. My teammates have helped me cut over 10 minutes off my time and we can see the main group now for most of the ride. I have to hang on during one of the sprints just a bit longer aerobically and I will soon attain my goal.

There is no doubt that this goal would be months off for me, instead of days, if it was not for my IC3 teammates. I would of expected the group to give up on me by now as it is harder for them to pull me along than hang with the main pack and enjoy the ride. My teammates however, continue to sacrifice themselves to help someone like me attain a goal. I do not feel deserving of all this effort but quite honestly, this is what our team is all about. We not only support each other, but try to help all other cyclists as well. Our hope as a team is that we show love to all the cyclists we ride with each week. This must truly be why God has placed us in this environment. 

Thanks to not only my teammates, but Evan, Jason as well. They have been honorary IC3 teammates during The Shootout all trying to help me accomplish this goal. 

John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

by Buzz Wright

I did a ride this morning with fellow IC3 member Dave and two other great friends. We planned on heading to the very top of Mt. Lemmon (to the Observatory). The pace was near-threshold for me but the weather was cool and I felt pretty good heading up. As we ascended, we were surrounded by clouds and rode up through the mist, which made for a truly spectacular experience (and at times, a pretty cold one). It's amazing to climb Mt. Lemmon and look down upon the Tucson valley. I've often looked out at the elevation gain and thought, "how can this be possible?" It seems so strange that one can climb to such great heights with only a bicycle.

~~~

I've been a Christian for a little over 12 years. I surrendered on March 18, 2001 during spring break in college. Back then I was involved in so many despicable and shameful things. I lived for myself in every possible way I could manage. I look back at that person and shake my head, but then I stop and realize something. I realize just how far I've come. It seems impossible that I could be where I am today, given the direction I was heading. But one thing I've learned well over the years is that when it comes to the Lord, nothing is impossible.

The climb has been difficult, and the weather was less than ideal in some spots. There were some times there when I was pretty cold. Times when I was hungry and worn down, but luckily I had some friends nearby to lend a hand. And a few times where I didn't think I would achieve the goal. I almost decided to drop out and settle for less than what had been planned. But I keep climbing.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brothers, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

The Lord isn't done with me yet. I've definitely got a long way to go -- but with His help I am still ascending.

​~~~

Despite the rain and the cold and the tired legs and the hunger, I made it to the Observatory with the guys. We had a quick lunch at the Cookie Cabin in Summerhaven, warming up as best we could by the fireplace before heading back down the mountain. I said a prayer on the way down, thanking the Lord for such a great day with my amazing friends, and thanking Him for having the patience to lead me away from myself, up and through the mist, on my way to Him.

by Ken Huizenga

The Thursday Morning JKG ride has become a “must” event for me. Not only does this ride provide some of God’s most breathtaking scenery but it also brings together an awesome group of people.
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Every week the members of IC3 Race Team, the hard chargers from the JKG Strava Group, and at least a dozen or more people from just word of mouth gather to ride. We leave from Le Buzz Coffee Shop in the North East Tucson Foothills and ride up to milepost 5.5, arriving at the Molino Basin Campground parking lot. Once we arrive at Molino Basin, we gather for about 10 Minutes for a bit of fellowship and to wait for all the riders to arrive. A crazy high speed downhill sprint follows for a sure adrenaline rush, and we then meet back at the parking lot we originally left from. 

The real purpose of the JKG is to encourage one another to accomplish goals and to have a place where people of all experience levels can schedule a ride, an outing or time to just hang out…every member has ownership and can invite friends. You don’t have to leave your race team to be a member of the JKG…all are welcome. When we get together you can see that we all just mesh and have a great time. This ride is exactly what I was looking for and have been privileged to be a part of it now for over a year.

Many thanks to JKG/Strava Director Jason Smith and IC3's Jimmy Davis Jr. for organizing and keeping such a great ride alive and thriving. 

One of IC3 Race team members always opens with a word of prayer. We find ourselves thanking God for his many blessings, the great group of people to fellowship with and ask for him to guide us safely back to our families. This is one of the high points of my week for sure. 

Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.